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Apr 06, 2023
Waredaca Farm Riding Surface Strategy and Plan
The Waredaca Farm strategy is to use science and best practices to implement improved riding surfaces that are safe, healthy, and offer appropriate performance for the task, which includes education, training, and competitions. Waredaca Farm has aligned with other venues in the USA which are advancing the state-of-the-art. Waredaca has partnered with Bill Hawe from iEquiTek.
The first step was to make a commitment to use best practices and scientific knowledge to improve outcomes. This happened in the Fall of 2022. This meant Waredaca Farm laid out a vision and was willing to question how that might be accomplished with no preconceived notions.
The second step was to articulate a multi-step plan which would upgrade each of the riding surfaces, starting with their-most used surface, the indoor arena. The selection of the footing material for the surface had several criteria: (a) it must have been successfully laboratory tested, (b) it must have been installed and successfully used in a demanding environment, preferably in Maryland, (c) the technical assessment from the laboratory testing must align with the qualitative assessment of professional equestrian athletes, (d) it must be affordable and maintainable, and (e) the footing material must have a longevity of 15 or more years. Waredaca Farm obtained a quote for engineered footing material, to be acquired in steps, all of which met these criteria.
The third step is the installation of new footing material in all three areas. This step is underway now. The indoor arena was completed in early January. It is being used and receiving great reviews.
These best practices provide longevity while minimizing disruption to the environment. They thus serve to protect open spaces while furthering the educational and land stewardship objectives of Waredaca Farm. Waredaca Farm has embarked on a multi-step strategy to use these best practices and scientific design approaches to improve its performance outcomes. As a result, it is anticipated that horses will be sounder, surfaces will be safer, and performance will be predictable.
Apr 25, 2025
Competitions
2025 K3DE Rider Talk: What Are They Saying About Cross-Country?
Riders in both the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S and the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L are sharing similar sentiments about this year's cross-country courses: course designer Derek di Grazia didn't play around this year. Here is what some of the riders across both divisions had to say about the tracks they will aim to conquer on Saturday.
Apr 25, 2025
Competitions
Off the Record Breaks Records in Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at Defender Kentucky
Off The Record decided not to let Michael Jung be the only record-breaking entry at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this week and delivered a career-best score in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S on Friday morning. He and Will Coleman delivered a test that received a score of 21.8, not only marking a personal best for the horse but also securing their position at the top of the leaderboard going into cross-country tomorrow.
Apr 25, 2025
Competitions
Soaked, but Not Shaken: Boyd Martin Flies the Flag for the U.S. at Defender Kentucky in Second
Boyd Martin and the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Commando 3 were the last pair to go in the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L field on Friday afternoon and were warmly greeted to the bluegrass with an impressive downpour that outshined anything the other horse and rider pairs had to combat throughout the day. But that didn’t stop this pair from putting their best foot forward and impressing the judges enough to earn them a score of 26.0, just 0.2 points ahead of second-place pair Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality.
Apr 25, 2025
Association News
Beware of Phishing Attempts and Other Types of Fraud
Please always remain vigilant when it comes to sending any personal communications via email or text. Every year we receive reports of members and leaders of our sport receiving phishing attempts both online and by phone. These are often communications disguised as being sent from USEA staff or other leaders. As the years go on, the phishing attempts appear to be more directed and tailored.
