The VIP Volunteer: Kendra Zartman Helps Keep Area VII Events Running Smoothly
As parent of a horse-crazy daughter, Kendra Zartmana admits she didn’t know what she was doing when she started taking her to events. So, instead of hanging out at the barn and getting in the way, she started volunteering at Area VII events.
The VIP Volunteer: Meet Liz Brothers, Competitor, Owner, and Volunteer
Liz Brothers has played many roles in the eventing community, from horse owner and rider to co-owner of an upper level horse. Now she has another title to add to the list—VIP Volunteer.
Over 2,500 Volunteers Dedicated to the Sport of Eventing Thus Far in 2025
Each spring, as the competition calendar begins to fill up again, event organizers start sounding the call for volunteer signups to help manage more than 220 recognized events that take place in the U.S. every year. It's no secret that the sport of eventing wouldn’t be possible without the amazin...
From Setback to Spotlight: James Power and His Connemara Sport Horse’s Remarkable Comeback
When 17-year-old James Power headed to the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington last month, he wasn’t chasing a blue ribbon. He just wanted a clean go—something steady to help him qualify for this year’s USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships (Adamstown, Maryland). But by weekend’s end, he and his...
Meghan O’Donoghue: Thankful For the Gift of Horses
While many riders spend decades searching for their “horse of a lifetime,” Meghan O’Donoghue considers herself doubly blessed. At only 35 years of age, the international five-star event rider has already had two such horses. Pirate’s Gold Star and Palm Crescent—both bay OTTB geldings—achieved rem...
Give Back to the Sport at the 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships at Galway Downs
The USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds is a celebration of eventing at all levels of the sport that brings competitors together from across the country. This extraordinary feat isn’t achieved without the help of hundreds of volunteers that work tirelessly behind the s...
The VIP Volunteer: USPC Ann Haller Media Intern William Coon Enjoys a Backstage View at Kentucky
As a member of the United States Pony Club (USPC), William Coon has grown up understanding the importance of volunteerism in equestrian sports. This year, he got the chance to go behind the scenes of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event to volunteer as a recipient of the USPC Ann Haller Media In...
From the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Cross-Country: Miriam Keefer’s Eventing Journey
At last fall's Full Moon Farm Horse Trials, 16-year-old Miriam Keefer guided her horse, Micky, over the final cross-country jump with quiet determination and a flash of joy. It was her first recognized event at the Novice level, and she placed second out of 16 competitors—qualifying her for both ...
The VIP Volunteer: From Farm Shows to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, Debbie Hinkle Does it All
Debbie Hinkle has long been a staple of the eventing community in Area VIII. While she hasn’t spent her entire life on a farm, she first started riding farm horses and volunteering at farm shows.