Calling all eventing lovers! The team behind the MARS Great Meadow International and the mandatory outing for the U.S. FEI Eventing World Championships team in The Plains, Virginia are seeking to finalize their volunteer roster prior to the kickoff of the event this Wednesday, August 24, 2022. From cross-country jump judges to shuttle drivers, there is a position for all skill levels! As an added incentive this year, all volunteers will be given a voucher that can be used for schooling on Tuesday, August 30th from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The MARS Great Meadow International is running CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, and Preliminary divisions, with the CCI4*-S also serving as the mandatory outing for the U.S. FEI Evengint World Championships team. Get a front-row seat to watch some of the best of the best gallop across the grounds at Great Meadow by signing up to volunteer here.
Helpful Links
Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.
With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.