Announcers are one of the most important indirect contributors to Eventing Nation. Whether I am typing, running from jump to jump, feeding the ever-hungry chinchillas, or watching a far corner of the cross-country course, I can’t always have my eyes on every piece of the action. I rely a great deal on what the announcers are saying and I am deeply appreciative of their help at every event. A great announcer makes a great event, and Brian O’Connor is one of my favorites. Brian also dabbles in blogging and he was kind enough to send us this guest blog discussion post about eventing families. Thanks for writing this Brian and thank you for reading.
—-
The Payne family has a rich tradition of golfing eventing
From Brian
So how many of you know how many families are involved in eventing? I mean, multiple family members with the same name – or family name? I want to challenge everyone to come up with families who are currently working in our sport…..or who have worked in the past in our sport. To qualify, there need to be at least three members at the same time.
OK: I get to go first of course!!
O’CONNORS:
David: Olympic gold medalist; USEF President; future USET eventing coach: international course designer; current Canadian Three-Day coach, member of “trip”
Karen: Olympic silver and bronze medalist; multiple leading lady rider of the year; Rolex winner; USEA committee member; top eventing clinician/coach
Sally: Current FEI chief steward of eventing (USA); international judge, clinician, Olympic steward, senior USEF judge, author, leader of the USA “Trip Across the Country,” blogger for EN
Brian: 30 yr career in announcing; Olympic, WEG, World Cup announcer; member of “trip” mentioned above; GMB (gold medal brother – 11 yrs!!); blogger for EN!!
BUTTS:
Gretchen: Current FEI judge and TD, organizer of Waredaca HT; committee member of USEA; active competitor USEA and FEI
Robert: Organizer of Waredaca HT; avid sailor; course builder and designer
Stephanie: Currently active as member of organizing committee Waredaca; active FEI and USEA competitor
PAYNES:
Marilyn: Active FEI and USEA judge and TD, Olympic judge (2008); active USEA winning competitor; USET committee member (selection)
Doug: Active FEI and USEA competitor; USEA judge and TD; silver medalist for USET in Holland 2010
Holly: Active FEI and USEA competitor; international rider; clinician and coach
DI GRAZIA
Derek: Top FEI and US course designer; past USET rider; World Championships (2); coach/clinician;
Bea (Perkins): FEI and US competitor; past USET team member; coach/clinician; active USEA and USDF competitor
Beth (Perkins): FEI and US competitor; past USET World Games member; active USEA rider; coach/clinician
These are just a few of the families that are currently involved in our wonderful sport – its history, and the present. Who are the others and who will be the future families? I have not listed many here, but that is your task. Keep it inside the “penalty zone” as we used to say….the 10x 20 meter rectangle around the jumps for those of you too young.
Good luck,
Brian
