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Adelaide Equestrian Festival to Showcase Eventing Superstars, Aussie Culture – and Good Wines

By US Equestrian Press Release on Apr 7, 2023 9:21 am -

Photo courtesy of Australian International 3 Day Event.

The 2023 Adelaide Equestrian Festival stage is now being set to showcase Australia’s Eventing superstars in the opening round of the 5-star global equestrian series this month.

Held in Adelaide’s East Parklands from April 20-23, the Adelaide International CCI5* competition attracts the best horses and riders from across the Southern Hemisphere. With the Paris Olympics only a year away, the Australian Olympic selectors will have their eyes on the Australian who will be looking to secure their place on the national team.

Adelaide Equestrian Festival Chairman Greg Rolton expects the 2023 event to be the largest on record – with both competitors and patrons, as the event has expanded to include twilight polo, fashion, pop up wine bars and a larger marketplace to showcase pet and equestrian products and services from all over Australia and the world.

“In 2023, the Adelaide Equestrian Festival will attract some of the best eventing horse and rider combinations from across the southern hemisphere, and there will also be a full range of activities and displays for spectators to watch and become involved in,” Mr Rolton says.

“We are excited to be hosting so many inspiring individuals and horses and are incredibly proud to be able to showcase their talents in the Adelaide CBD – ours is the only event of this type worldwide held in the heart of a city which makes it so unique and entertaining for everyone.

“This year more of us than ever will be able to enjoy the event as the AEF falls in the middle of term one holidays. If you love the sport of polo, you’ll be able to get a taste for it on Friday night. On Saturday’s Horseland Cross Country Day, frock up & watch the horses in the Barrister’s Block Blush Bar and be a part of the Fashions on the Field. Rymill Coonawarra, K1 Wines & Ruston’s Distillery will also be showcasing their quality South Australian products with pop up bars in Rymill Park.

“The 2023 Adelaide event will also have the biggest prize pool in the Southern Hemisphere with more than $175,000 on the table. This festival is going to be unmissable, so make sure to talk to your family & friends and get your tickets now,” Bettison says.

The Adelaide Equestrian Festival takes place alongside other significant international five-star events, including the Kentucky Three Day Event in the USA in April, the Badminton Horse Trials in England in May, the Luhmuhlen Horse Trials in Germany in June, the Burghley Horse Trials in the UK in September, and the Pau Horse Trials in France in October and the Marylan 5 Star at Fair Hil in the USA.

South Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison welcomed the return of the Adelaide Equestrian Festival to the city’s parklands and the thousands of eventgoers it will bring.

“April is shaping up to be an exciting time in Adelaide and hosting this internationally recognised event back in our parklands is a wonderful addition to our blockbuster events calendar,” says Bettison. “As one of only seven events around the world at this level and the only one in the southern hemisphere, the Adelaide Equestrian Festival will draw spectators and some of the best competitors to our city. It will be especially exciting this year to watch the Australian riders compete in the Olympic qualifier events, and to enjoy all of the festival action as the event expands in 2023 to offer what our state is so well known for – fantastic festivals which showcase sport, local food and wine, innovation and entertainment.”

“There is once again a huge selection of tickets on offer to ensure everyone has the best Adelaide Equestrian Festival experience – from General Admission, Grandstand and the Giddy Up Club, to luxury and style in the Peppermint Grove Lounge VIP Marquee – there’s something for everyone,” Mr Rolton says.

The 2023 AEF competition timetable includes:

Thursday, April 20: Racing SA CCI3*-L Dressage Day from 9am-4pm.
Friday, April 21: Pryde’s Easifeed Dressage Day featuring RM Williams CCI4*-S and Adelaide International CCI5*-L Dressage, including the Dressage Masterclass, Horseland Rider’s Challenge, and Cross Country walk.
Saturday, April 22: Horseland Cross Country Day, including the Mounted Games, Working Equitation, Displays in the Gillian Rolton Main Arena, as well as the Cross-Country Masterclass with Stuart Tinney after the completion of the Cross Country.
Sunday, April 23: ATCO Jumping Day commences with the TRM Horse Inspection at 8am, followed by the Racing SA CCI3*-L and RM Williams CCI4-S jumping and presentations followed by the final jumping phase of the Adelaide International CCI5*. Competition from approx 9am-4pm. Daily Winner presentations at 4pm at the Gillian Rolton Main Arena.

And the 2023 social timetable includes:
Friday, April 21: Ladies Day in the Chairman’s Lounge from 11am-4pm. SA LIFE POLO AT NIGHT: Bars open at 6pm with Polo from approx 7pm.
Saturday, April 22: Horseland Cross Country Family Day with plenty of FREE kids activities in the ATCO Kids Corral, and quality South Australian made food and drinks. Entry is free for children on this day. Coopers Blush Bar in Rymill Park, frock up and watch all the action lakeside to the water jump, includes Barrister’s Block Wines, Coopers Beers and canapes from 10am-5pm.
Sunday, April 23: ATCO Jumping Day with the ATCO Kids Corral offering plenty of free family fun, Chairman’s Lounge for five-star ringside VIP action including 3-course meal and a selection of K1 Wines & Rymill Coonawarra Wines as well as Cooper’s Beers.

FEI to Maintain Protective Measures Regarding Russian and Belarusian Athletes

By US Equestrian Press Release on Apr 5, 2023 2:30 pm -

Russia’s Aleksandr Markov and Leader. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Protective measures prohibiting all Russian and Belarusian Athletes, Horses and Officials from participating in FEI Events, which had been introduced on 2 March 2022 following the full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, will remain in place until further notice. The decision was taken by the FEI Board at its extraordinary teleconference held on 4 April.

“The FEI Board met to discuss the framework recommended on 28 March by the IOC for the return of neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus to international competition,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“While the IOC has not taken any decision regarding the participation of Russian and Belarussian Athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, it is the view of the FEI Board that at this stage neutrality cannot be defined and evaluated in a sufficiently satisfactory way. The Board agreed that the FEI does not have the necessary tools to evaluate in a fair and objective manner the conditions of participation for individual neutral athletes and support personnel as stipulated in the recommendations put forward by the IOC.

“Therefore all Russian and Belarusian Athletes, Horses and Officials continue to be prohibited from participating in FEI Events. In keeping with the sanctions imposed by the IOC, no FEI events organised in Russia and Belarus can be entered in the FEI Calendar for 2023. Any Officials’ course as well as any other FEI activities scheduled to be held in Russia and Belarus in 2023 have been cancelled or relocated and all FEI Solidarity projects in Russia and Belarus remain frozen.

“The Board reiterates its full support to the people of Ukraine, who have suffered tremendously, and pledges its continued solidarity and support to the Ukrainian equestrian community through the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund,” President De Vos concluded.

GMHA Festival of Eventing Announces Multiple Improvements for 2023 HT & CCI

By US Equestrian Press Release on Apr 4, 2023 11:30 am -

Photo courtesy of GMHA Festival of Eventing.

The GMHA Festival of Eventing will return to Woodstock, Vermont August 11th – 13th for USEA sanctioned Horse Trials and FEI CCI2*S and CCI3*S level competition with $10,000 in prize money. Rich in history, the GMHA Horse Trials began in 1957 and was one of the first to be held in the US since the US Cavalry Team competed in the 1948 Olympics. Today, it is the only remaining FEI competition for northern New England equestrians and this year promises several well-thought-out improvements for all division competitors.

New Schedule For 2023

GMHA and the Festival of Eventing committee has made the decision to replace the one-day Horse Trial, previously run on Friday, with the multi-day HT format which offers a better competitor experience. The new schedule accommodates a long-standing request to move the stadium to the larger Upwey arena, providing a more inclusive experience for all levels participating in the event as well as challenging the riders’ use of time and riding ability.

* Friday All Day – Dressage (FEI 3*/2*, I, P, M, T, N, BN)

* Friday PM – Show Jumping (FEI 3*/2* & Intermediate)

* Saturday All Day – Cross Country (FEI 3*/2*, I, P, M, T, N, BN) & Competitor’s Party

* Sunday All Day – Show Jumping National Levels (P, M, T, N, BN)

For divisions that culminate on Saturday with Cross Country or Sunday with Show Jumping, those divisions will run in reverse order of go, allowing for a few victory gallops, photo opportunities, interviews, and the award celebration!

Chris Barnard, of Reddick, Florida, an international show jump designer and builder whose talents have been employed at The Florida Horse Park, The Jockey Club, Tryon International, Stable View, Chattahoochee Hills, and the Virginia Horse Trials. Barnard will be designing the show jumping courses for the weekend. On Wednesday, August 9th, Barnard will design the courses in the Upwey Arena, the location for the HT SJ, for the GMHA Jumper Schooling Day. Sign up early to ensure your spot in this popular Pre-Festival of Eventing Jumper Schooling Day.

The cross-country courses are custom designed by FEI-licensed designer Morgan Rowsell. Rowsell’s resume includes Cross-Country Course Designer at Essex, Florida’s Rocking Horse Stables, Seneca Valley’s (MD) two events, ESDCTA (NJ) Horse Trials held at the Horse Park of New Jersey, the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event and Millbrook. Course Builder Jamie Gornall, GMHA Technical Coordinator and resident of South Woodstock, Vermont will join Rowsell’s team. Some of the courses that have benefited from Gornall’s course building talents have included Millbrook, Fair Hill, Southern Pines, UNH, Stable View, Great Meadow and the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

New Modified Division

In 2016, the USEA Board of Governors approved the addition of a seventh recognized level between Training and Preliminary. This new “Modified” level helps to bridge the gap between the upper and lower levels and provides a steppingstone to assist and prepare riders for advancement.

According to GMHA Event Manager, Jill Bogert, “Competitors have been asking to add Modified for a number of years now. Festival Committee members, Jane Hamlin and Cristin Roby, have really advocated for it from an educational perspective, and that’s what we’re all about here at GMHA.”

Olympic Judge and Committee Co-Chairman, Jane Hamlin agrees, “I’m so excited that GMHA is adding a Modified level. It’s such a useful division. It suits horses and riders who are not quite ready to jump into the preliminary division either because it might be beyond their comfort level or for people who haven’t gone south in the spring. I’m sure GMHA will provide a fun, educational experience!”

Photo courtesy of GMHA Festival of Eventing.

Other 2023 GMHA Festival of Eventing Highlights

* Friday Night Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres – Adjacent to Upwey Show Jumping Arena

* Saturday Evening Competitors Party – featuring Trail Break Tacos and Live Music

* Educational SJ & XC Course Walks with Chris Barnard and Morgan Rowsell

* Friday FEI 2*/3* and Intermediate Dressage (am) & SJ (pm) in Upwey Arena

* Friday BN through Prelim Dressage in White and Walker Arenas

* Saturday – All levels run Cross County.

* Sunday All Day – Show Jumping National Levels (P, M, T, N, BN)

Entries Open: June 27, 2023 | Entries Close: July 25, 2023 | FEI Entries Extended Close Date: Tuesday, August 1st (for 2* & 3* only)

For event information including entries, visit GMHA Festival of Eventing.

Sponsorship opportunities are key to the successful production of the GMHA Festival of Eventing. Please contact Bruce Perry, GMHA Executive Director, at (802) 457-1509, [email protected] for information.

For event details, volunteer and sponsorship information, please visit the Festival of Eventing website.

Kentucky-Bound Dibowski Victorious in the 4* in Strzegom

By US Equestrian Press Release on Apr 3, 2023 1:00 pm -

Alina Dibowski was the winner of the CCI4*-S, the highest-ranked class at the Strzegom Spring Open. Polish rider Wiktoria Knap finished third.

Kentucky-bound Alina Dibowski was the winner of the CCI4*-S at the Strzegom Spring Open. Photo by Mariusz Chmieliński.

The weather did not spoil the competitors during Saturday’s cross-country. None of the pairs of the four-star competition managed to go inside the optimum time. The favourite, Michael Jung, riding fischerChipmunk FRH, entered the course from the leading position. One refusal and points for time cost the German representative as many as 48.4 penalty points and a drop from 1st to 22nd place. The winner, with a score of 39.7 points, was Alina Dibowski (GER) with the Polish-bred Barbados 26. The German was eighth after dressage and fifth after jumping. They went clear on the fences in the cross-country, 20 seconds over the time. Second place went to her compatriot Sandra Auffarth with Viamant du Matz – 40,1. Wiktoria Knap with Quintus 134 finished third, with the score of 41,1. The Pole was sixth after two trials and crossed the finish line just three seconds later than the winner.

Polish rider Wiktoria Knap finished third in the 4*. Photo by Mariusz Chmieliński.

In the 3*-S, the winner was Anne-Dorthe Möller (DEN) with Polar Fox. The rider was second after the cross country and secured her win with a clear jumping round (46,3). German Andreas Dibowski took home the third with Cristallik (48,5), and third went to Johannes Hayessen (GER) with By My Side 2 – 48,9.

3*-S winner Anne-Dorthe Möller (DEN) with Polar Fox. Photo by Leszek Wójcik.

The podium of the 2*-S was dominated by Polish riders. After clear XC and jumping, the winner was Zuzanna Borkowska with the Polish-bred Gracja – 31,9. Karolina Miś followed with Go Jack – 35,1, and Zuzanna Społowicz topped off the podium with Bankier – 35,2.

Polish rider Zuzanna Borkowska won the 2* with the Polish-bred Gracja.Photo by Mariusz Chmieliński.

In the Intro class, the best one was Miloslav Prihoda Jr., from the Czech Republic, riding Obora’s Guitar Gangster – 29,8. Dunka Anne-Dorthe Möller (DEN) with First Class Gs was second – 30,7, and Anna-Katharina Vogel (GER) with Kookie P – third with 33,0.

The Strzegom Spring Open began the season of international eventing shows in Poland. Four international short format competitions were played out, as well as three national classes. More than 220 horse-and-rider combinations took part, representing 13 countries.

The next edition of the Strzegom Spring Open will take place in three weeks, from 20 to 23 April.

Record Turn-Out for Galway Downs’ Spring Season International Opener

By US Equestrian Press Release on Mar 30, 2023 10:00 am -

Angela Mitchell and Cornwill Cormint at Galway Downs. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

The hub of West Coast equestrian activity spins full tilt as international competition segues from dressage to three-day eventing with the Galway Downs International Horse Trials. The action runs Thursday, March 30 – Sunday, April 2 in Southern California’s Temecula Valley Wine Country.

An unprecedented 320-plus entries, with a strong international and Advanced field, assures super sport. The international divisions start with dressage on Thursday. Friday afternoon, the CCI division show jumping unfurls in the Grand Prix Arena with a buzzing crowd in the VIP Pavilion and cheers from fans all around the showcase stage.

Clayton Fredericks’ cross-country track will determine the final standings on Saturday, for the upper levels, while Allesandra Allen-Shinn is creating tracks for Beginner Novice through Preliminary.

The inaugural Parker Equine Insurance Top Amateur Award in the CCI2* puts a cherry atop the prize giving ceremonies this year. Ride On Video is livestreaming the International for those who can’t come out in person.

Eye Opener for An East Coaster

Missy Miller and Quinn. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

Aside from one vacation visit to California, veteran 4* eventer Missy Miller had not been to the Golden State before running her own Quinn in the CCI3*-L at Galway Downs last November. The professional rider and trainer is based in Aiken, South Carolina, and came west at the urging of her coach Tamie Smith.

As a key contributor to Team USA’s silver medal the World Equestrian Games last fall, Tamie walks her talk that a West Coast base can launch global success.

Missy is glad she took Tamie’s advice to send Quinn out West for a while, and to fly in to compete him herself when possible. “The community is smaller out there, but the caliber of riding and horses is really high,” the East Coaster says. “I was so happy with my dressage score,” said Missy after competing at RamTap in Fresno earlier this month. “And then I realized, ‘Dang! You are all so competitive out here!’”

Missy and Quinn hold their own. They finished 5th in the 3*-L last fall.

“I am so impressed with the entire Galway Downs venue,” the rider continues. “Clayton Fredericks’ courses, the arenas, the galloping tracks. Everything was just great!” She and Quinn are prepping for a 5* debut at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day in late April, and she expects this outing to be an ideal set-up.

The value of competing throughout North America – at different venues, over different terrains, in different atmospheres — is part of Robert Kellerhouse’s passionate vision for US success on the international stage. “The truth is, you have to compete all over the place to be a serious rider,” asserts the Galway Downs organizer. That’s why he and his team have built a reputation for staging world-class events that test and advance the skills of all their competitors.

In true California spirit, a good time is also guaranteed with exhibitor parties and activities that capitalize on the community’s warm and welcoming vibe.

Team Spirit

Galway Downs’ main arena boasts unique spectator seating and a backdrop of flags representing an international array of competitors. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

Galway’s goals are exponentially accelerated by a unique partnership with Ali and Francie Nilforushan’s Equisport Events. The hunter/jumper event organizers have provided transformational help with and investment in footing and arenas – competition and warm-ups – and various exhibitor amenities.

The result brings ongoing, cutting-edge improvements to a venue steeped in equestrian traditions and managed by a proactive team focused on long-term growth.

“We need quality competitions like Galway all over the country,” notes Bobby Costello, the USEF’s technical director and eventing chef d’equipe. “One thing riders always care the most about is the quality of the footing. The improvements Galway has made with the all-weather arenas and the meticulous care of the cross-country tracks make it a great place to get our horses ready.”

Veteran course builder Rob Mobley builds all over the country and appreciates Galway’s commitment to updating courses and obstacles regularly. “We’re always building new inventory – with modern shapes and more spreads. Robert (Kellerhouse) encourages that and, the more inventory we have, the easier it is to make changes to the course.” Along with meeting safety standards, the fences must be up to spec in each division, he notes. “That’s how everyone gets prepared to move up to the next level.”

Future Stars

Kaylawna Smith-Cook and MB MaiBlume. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Bobby Costello will be on the look-out for tomorrow’s Tamie Smiths.

Like 2008 individual Olympic Silver Medalist Gina Miles and 2004 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist Amy Tryon, “Tamie has done so much for her sport in this geographic area, and for the Team and the sport as a whole.”

Along with helping Tamie tune up, Bobby will observe and work with riders on various USET training lists and radar screens – and not just the veterans. “It’s important for me to get familiar with the next generation of riders coming along,” he says. “Anyone from the up-and-coming young riders to the young professionals could be on the cusp of having a breakthrough.”

Sport supporter Donna Parker of Equine Insurance has enjoyed a front row seat to Galway Downs’ growth.

“It has been incredible to have been a longtime sponsor of Galway Downs and watch the venue grow over many decades into a truly world-class venue. In addition to our Gold and Silver sponsorship of Galway Downs, I feel privileged this year to be able to present the inaugural Parker Equine Insurance Top Amateur Award in the CCI2* at both the March and November International events to highlight the incredible adult amateurs in the sport.

“As an amateur rider myself, this award is very near and dear to my heart. I am thrilled to be able to continue supporting the sport we all care about so deeply. We look forward to seeing everyone this week and cheering on all the competitors!”

Star Studded Cast

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Speaking of Tamie Smith, she and her World Championships Team Silver partner Mai Baum headline the CCI4*-S field of 13 contenders that includes three other Tamie-piloted stars – Danito, Soliguayre California and Elliot V.

Helen Alliston is in the CCI3*-S hunt with her 2022 $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final title in tow. Her Advanced Finals reserve champ (and 3rd and 4th) husband James Alliston saddles four CCI horses, including Nemesis in the 4*-S.

USEA Intermediate Championships title holder Tommy Greengard reps the young professional ranks, campaigning four horses. They include 2022’s highest scoring 5-year-old champion, the Zangersheide gelding That’s Me Z, crowned last fall at Twin Rivers Ranch.

The world will be well represented. Two-time Olympian Lauren Billys brings Puerto Rico into the picture, with two up-and-coming unicorns. Canada and Australia fly flags, too, and riders from all regions of the West are here in force.

Galway Downs International: [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

MARS Equestrian to Return as Title and Presenting Sponsor of Bromont CCI Three-Day Event

By US Equestrian Press Release on Mar 29, 2023 10:00 am -

Three-time American Olympian Boyd Martin won the 2019 MARS Bromont CCI4*-L with Ray Price. Photo © Cealy Tetley

Bromont Horse Trials is proud and excited to once again welcome MARS EQUESTRIAN™ as title sponsor of the MARS Bromont CCI4* taking place June 8-11, 2023 in Bromont, Quebec.

“We are honored MARS EQUESTRIAN has chosen to continue its support of Bromont and international eventing for another season,” said event organizer Sue Ockendon. “Being a Pan American Games year and heading into an Olympic year, our competitions will be vital to the plans of North American competitors and team selectors. Having the ongoing support of MARS EQUESTRIAN allows us to continue improving the event and offer increased prize money to our competitors.”

Widely considered one of the most prestigious three-day events in North America, and the only Canadian event offering the penultimate CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S divisions of eventing competition, athletes will compete for $25,000 in prize money and awards offered by the generous sponsors of the MARS Bromont Three Day Event.

Five-time Pan-Am Games medalist and Canadian Olympian, Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, ON, rode Wabbit as part of the silver-medal Canadian team in the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ at Bromont in August, 2022. Photo © Cealy Tetley

“We are thrilled to continue our support of the Bromont Horse Trials and eventing in North America” said Bridgett McIntosh, PhD, Director of MARS EQUESTRIAN “Through this partnership we can continue to share Mars, Incorporated’s diverse portfolio of Confectionary, Petcare, Horsecare and Veterinary products and services to an international audience.”

The MARS EQUESTRIAN sponsorship of Bromont Horse Trials is one of many touchpoints illustrating Mars’ multi-generational impact on equestrian sports and the equine industry as a whole. Going back to the 1930s, the founders of Mars, Incorporated, Frank and Ethel V. Mars, established a renowned Thoroughbred breeding and racing stable in Pulaski, Tennessee. They named the property Milky Way Farm, in honor of their best-selling candy bar, and followed up by naming their new SNICKERS® Bar after one of the family’s beloved horses. A decade later, their long-shot Gallahadion carried the Mars silks into the winner’s circle at the 1940 Kentucky Derby. Today, the Mars family and business alike share a passion for horses and equestrian sports.

Often described as an equestrian triathlon, eventing features three separate phases of competition with the same horse and rider pair completing each phase together. The opening phase, dressage, will be held over Thursday/Friday, the exciting and spectator-friendly cross-country will take place Saturday and the event will conclude Sunday with the show jumping phase, to determine the overall winners.

The 2022 US Eventing Association’s Young Rider of the Year, Cassie Sanger of Lakeville, CT, rode Fernhill Zoro to the win in the CCI2*-L U25 section at the MARS Bromont CCI in June, 2022. Photo © Cealy Tetley

CCI4*-L, CCI4*-S, CCI3*-L and CCI2*-L divisions will be offered at this year’s June event as well as U25 sections in both two and three star levels. Renowned course designer Derek DiGrazia (CA, USA), course designer for the Tokyo Olympics and some of the biggest three-day events in the world will be back at Bromont for 2023, to design the courses set amid the challenging terrain, with the help of Canada’s Jay Hambly.

MARS Bromont CCI: [Website]

Howden Way Spotlight Award Aims to Champion Ambassadors for the Sport

By US Equestrian Press Release on Mar 24, 2023 12:12 pm -

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

British Eventing is delighted to be launching an exciting new award to recognise outstanding achievement across The Howden Way Regional Academies, supported by uvex.

The Howden Way Spotlight Award will be presented monthly to a rider who has stood out as embodying the culture and values of The Howden Way – championing welfare, driving for inclusivity, creating camaraderie and supporting others, celebrating development of skills and knowledge over outcomes and developing true ambassadors for our sport.

The winner will be selected each month by Olympic Gold medallist, Laura Collett. Laura will make her choice from a shortlist of contenders, who have been nominated by The Howden Way coaches as being deserving of this special recognition.

“I am really looking forward to helping launch this award,” says Laura. “I love the fact that it will shine a light on some of those moments that may otherwise be overlooked, especially where riders have put themselves out for the welfare of their horse or fellow riders. Training hard and raising your performance is one thing but going the extra mile to make improvements for yourself and those around you is especially worthy. I can’t wait to find out more about our nominees.”

The British Eventing coaches delivering The Howden Way Regional Academies, that offers training to members of all ages and abilities, are invited to nominate members on a monthly basis that are attending their academies.

“This award is an opportunity to recognise some of the fantastic achievements that we are seeing within The Howden Way training, not just in terms of improved performance but in the development of individuals,” says Justine Parker, BE Head of Training and Development. “The culture and values underpin the entire delivery of The Howden Way Regional Academies. The Howden Way is so much more than just improving riding, it’s about the whole person. Developing skills and knowledge, while also building camaraderie and mutual support amongst participants. This award will recognise and celebrate riders who live out those values through their engagement and activity beyond the training.”

The Spotlight Award, supported by uvex and will see each winner receive a fabulous uvex exxential helmet, as well as a rosette that recognises their achievement.

Simon Middleton, Managing Director of Zebra Products says, “We are delighted to be working with British Eventing as an official partner for the 2023 season and are looking forward to supporting them with The Howden Way Spotlight Award with one of our well-known brands, uvex.

“uvex protect people from head to toe and have done so for more than 90 years. Setting the highest standard in helmets and riding gloves, uvex provides cutting edge products that are designed to last and we are proud to be supporting the monthly winners with uvex products.”

Stable View Foundation Launched to Support Local Causes

By US Equestrian Press Release on Mar 23, 2023 9:48 am -

Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

Stable View is pleased to announce the formation of the Stable View Foundation, which has been created to efficiently collect and donate money to local causes. These local causes will be selected by a three-person independent board and will focus on organizations in our communities that serve youth and families in need.

Reflecting current best Corporate Governance practices, the following guidelines are in place:

An independent three-person Board that selects three area Charities annually.
All Charities will have a high percentage to cause—they do not have significant overheads.
Funds for distribution from the Stable View Foundation will be received by Stable View’s May “Local Charities Horse Trials”—a minimum of $10,000.
The Foundation will also distribute a minimum of $5,000 from each of eight shows in Stable View’s USEF/USHJA $550,000 Challenge Series.
Once prepared, the Stable View Foundation’s Accounts will be reproduced on the Stable View website.
The expenses of running the Foundation are planned to be de minimis.

The Directors—Morgan Batton, Michele Bradley, and Pippa Moon—have selected the following charities for 2023:

Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons

Ronald McDonald House of Columbia

SC Youth Advocate Program

Announcements regarding the progress of the Foundation will be made via e-mail, on social media, and available on our website.

Please contact Michele Bradley with any questions at [email protected].

Lauren Billys Shady, Allison Springer, Kaylawna Smith-Cook, Jordan Crabo Receive 2023 SCES Grants

By US Equestrian Press Release on Mar 21, 2023 12:00 pm -

Southern California Equestrian Sports (SCES), an equestrian non-profit organization specializing in fundraising support, is thrilled to announce the allocation of eleven grants to the equestrian community.

Riders in various disciplines were awarded. Among them, Olympians, Para Equestrian athletes, promising young professionals, and individuals who demonstrated long term dedication to their sports. Avery Brown ($4,500), Sarah Mason-Beatty ($2,000), and Mia Rodier-Dawallo ($1,500) were recognized in Dressage. Three-Day Eventers Lauren Billys Shady ($3,000), Allison Springer ($3,000), Kaylawna Smith-Cook ($1,800) and Jordan Crabo ($1,500) were additionally named as athlete recipients.

In addition to grants given to the athletes, SCES also awarded grants to Desert International Horse Park ($5,000), Nilforushan Equisport Events ($1,500), the Spokane Sport Horse Farm ($5,000) and Area VI Eventing ($5,000). In total, SCES awarded more than $30,000 in grants to assist those in the equestrian community in their pursuits.

SCES Grant Recipient, Kaylawna Smith-Cook
Photo: Sherry Stewart

“We are incredibly proud to recognize and support the outstanding achievements of our equestrian athletes” Dave Kuhlman, President of the SCES, added. “Through the generosity of our incredible donors, we are honored and proud to help a variety of organizations and events in our community. We look forward to continuing to provide support and sponsorship as much as possible in the years to come.”

SCES is known for assisting equestrians and organizers in raising tax-deductible funds to support their National and International goals. They are proud to support all this year’s recipients as a part of their mission to support horse sports and competitors in a variety of disciplines at the international levels across the country.

“I am thrilled and honored to have received a special grant from SCES recognizing my hard work and dedication to the sport! This is an incredible organization to work with and has been instrumental in my ability to train and support my equine partners on my competitive journey,” stated recipient Allison Springer.

By continuing to create innovative and inspiring opportunities for any equestrian or competition meeting the eligibility criteria, in any discipline that is nationally or internationally recognized, SCES provides qualifying parties various opportunities to continue to grow equestrian sports worldwide. SCES is open to riders in all equestrian disciplines, from a variety of countries, competing at the international levels of competition (FEI), which proudly includes Paralympic Athletes.

“Receiving support from an organization that understands the financial commitment it takes to compete at the highest levels of equestrian sports is truly an honor. I am grateful for everything Southern California Equestrian Sports does to help equestrian athletes on an ongoing basis,” said recipient Sarah Mason-Beatty.

SCES grants have given countless athletes and events opportunities that may have otherwise not been available. Funded strictly through donations and operated nearly exclusively by volunteers, SCES continues to work to assist athletes, and now equestrian events and organizations as well, raise funds to meet and surpass goals whether it be competing internationally or improving an equestrian competition.

Andrea Pfeiffer, president of the Area VI Eventing Council remarked, “Receiving a grant from SCES allowed us to host a lovely awards dinner and presentation that otherwise would not have been possible to honor our members. This was a tremendous gift, and we greatly appreciate the support of this foundation and what they do for the entire equestrian industry.”

To learn more about how SCES can help you in your fundraising efforts, please visit their website at http://www.scesports.org.

About Southern California Equestrian Sports

Southern California Equestrian Sports, Inc. (SCES) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping equestrian riders and organizers raise tax-deductible funds to compete in and support their National and International competitions throughout the United States.

SCES is designed to help athletes and owners expand their financial resources to train and compete by allowing supporters to receive tax-deductible benefits for contributions. SCES understands the financial commitment it takes to compete at the highest levels of equestrian sports and established an organization to help foster development and competition.

SCES will consider any equestrian or competition meeting the eligibility criteria, in any discipline that is nationally or internationally recognized, for grants. The seven FEI disciplines are Combined Driving, Dressage, Endurance, Eventing, Jumping, Reining, and Vaulting.

SCES has been granted tax-exempt status under Section 501(C)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions are tax-deductible at the maximum allowed by law and donations can be made on behalf of Southern California Equestrian Sports, Inc.

To learn more about how SCES, please visit http://www.scesports.org.

“Sheer Hard Work, Commitment, Vision, and the Ability to Drive Change:” British Eventing CEO Steps Down

By US Equestrian Press Release on Mar 17, 2023 1:21 pm -

Captain Mark Phillips, British Eventing CEO Helen West and Bicton organiser Andrew Fell peer over the first element of question 19, the Burghley Brushes, at Bicton’s pop up five-star in 2021. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

British Eventing has announced that CEO Helen West, who has held the role for two years, will step down in June ‘due to personal circumstances, including the need to provide primary care for her father’. She took over leadership of the governing body in 2021, when the sport and BE both found themselves in murky waters due to the snowball effect of the pandemic and a financial hole created as a result of the failed and ongoing IT project, and has created a number of positive initiatives in her time in the post, including training and funding schemes and, memorably, the one-off ‘pop-up five-star’ at Bicton that same year.

“Helen, who will have been in post for two years when she stands back this summer, will be immensely missed,” says Mark Santorini, Chair of British Eventing. “She came to the role with a wealth of knowledge across all aspects of the sport. It is this that has seen her stabilise the sport from the extremely precarious position it was in to where it looks set to be profitable for the first time in eight years and where we are seeing membership growth for the first time in six years.

“This has been no mean feat especially when you consider that Helen joined knowing that it was never going to be easy. The sport was struggling financially as a result of a failed IT project and two seasons of interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The turnaround that we are today seeing in the sport is the direct result of the sheer hard work, commitment, vision and ability to drive change that Helen has delivered throughout her time at the helm. I speak not only on behalf of myself, but the entire Non-Executive Board, when I say that we hold Helen in the highest regard and are unable to thank her enough for navigating her way through the amount of necessary change that was required to move the sport forward.

“Under Helen’s direction we have seen a national training structure delivered, as a result of the generous backing from David Howden. We have seen the introduction of a BE 80 National Grassroots Championships at Bramham, the rollout of Grassroots Regional Championships in every region, a stats centre and leagues for all levels of competition, a £10k prize pot across the Grassroots Leagues and the addition of an exciting new Amateur Championships at Osberton at the end of the season which includes the addition of a CCI1*. Restructuring the membership offer and introducing new member incentives has also seen a membership growth across both competing members and horse registrations, a vastly increased level of commercial investment along with a much more efficient business delivery in terms of financial costs.

“In addition, Helen has been instrumental in the creation of the British Equestrian Support Trust (BEST) for which she also sits as a trustee. The creation of BEST saw British Eventing to be the first British based equestrian National Governing Body to have a charity created purely to help its members through difficult times resulting from an eventing accident or mental health issues. BEST is something that we should all not only feel particularly proud of but also reassured by. It has already helped a number of members on their road to recovery, the most notable of which was the assistance offered to Nicola Wilson after her terrible fall at Badminton last year.

“We know this has been an extremely hard decision for Helen and is one that we need to respect. I am hoping that Helen will continue to be involved with the sport and the association and we will now be commencing the recruitment process to identify a successor who can continue building from the solid position that Helen leaves the sport in when she finishes in June.”

Of her resignation, Helen West says: “To say this was a difficult decision would be an understatement. It is one that I have to make for personal reasons and I will always be available to British Eventing to assist where I can. I am incredibly proud of everything we have achieved over the past two years, and I have taken great pleasure seeing the sport evolve despite being forced to make difficult decisions at times.

“Change is always hard but has been crucial to the survival of the sport. I will always remain 100% committed to the sport but right now, it is imperative that I step back and spend some time with my father as his primary carer. I have been tremendously fortunate to work with some great colleagues at British Eventing and would like to extend huge gratitude for their support in working alongside me. I strongly believe that British Eventing has a bright future ahead of it and I look forward to watching it flourish under the direction of my successor when appointed.”

British Eventing will now begin the recruitment process to find Helen’s replacement, which will commence within the week. The role will be advertised on BE’s website.

Countdown to Paris: 500 Days to the XXXIII Olympiad

By US Equestrian Press Release on Mar 16, 2023 9:00 am -

Photo © FEI Christophe Taniére

The road to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games has hit another milestone: There are 500 days before the XXXIII Olympiad, which will host equestrian sports 27 July through 6 August at the iconic Palace of Versailles.

For athletes in the Olympic disciplines of Dressage, Eventing and Jumping, the biggest objective on the road to Paris remains qualification. With 500 days to go, some key nations—including host nation France—have secured their quota places, with these National Federations focused on team appointment. Others, meanwhile, are set on fielding their best teams for remaining events with qualification opportunities.

Jessica von Bredow Werndl and TSF Dalera at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo ©FEI – Christophe Taniére.

Dressage

Including the host nation, seven nations have qualified for Dressage competition in Paris, accounting for 24 of 45 available team quota places (3 athletes per team). This group includes all three medalists from Tokyo 2020 (JPN). Defending champions Germany, the United States and Great Britain all earned their places from their results at the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning (DEN)—as did Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands and Australia.

All eyes will be on Germany on the road to Paris, as not only did they top the team competition in the last Olympics, but its athletes Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Isabell Werth also claimed the individual gold and silver medals, respectively. Bredow-Werndl remains at the top of her game and sits atop the FEI Dressage World Rankings with her partner from Tokyo, TSF Dalera BB.

Twenty-one team quota places (accounting for seven teams) remain, many of which will be decided at the year’s continental and regional championships. Most notable will be the 2023 FEI European Dressage Championship, set for Riesenbeck (GER), 4-10 September. Fifteen individual quota places are also available, awarded to athletes from nations that have not already accepted a team quota place. Of course, these athletes will be a mix of males and females, as equestrian sport remains the only Olympic event in which men and women compete as equals.

Laura Collett and London 52. Photo ©FEI – Christophe Taniére.

Eventing

Nearly half of the team quotas places have already been secured in the sport of Eventing. Germany is among the first nations qualified, which should provide some excitement. After all, the nation produced Eventing’s first ever female individual Olympic gold medalist in Julia Krajewski in Tokyo. In addition to the host nation, the United States, New Zealand, Ireland, Sweden and Switzerland have also qualified. These places were all earned at the FEI World Championships in Herning, where the United States secured its first team medal at a World or Olympic Championship since 2004. The United States is the only nation from North, Central or South America to have secured a team quota place.

Most notably, Tokyo’s silver medalists Australia have yet to secure their place. They have remaining opportunities at the Group F and G FEI Designated Olympic Qualification Event at Millstreet (IRL), 01-04 June and the FEI Eventing European Championships 2023 in Haras du Pin (FRA) and via the 2023 FEI Eventing Nations Cup Series.

The competition for ranking points for the Individual slots has started, and will continue through the rest of the year.

Peder Fredricson and All In. Photo ©FEI – Christophe Taniére.

Jumping

Jumping offers the most quota places of all the equestrian disciplines, with 75 up for grabs, including 60 team athletes.

Sweden is undisputedly the team to watch on the road to Paris, having claimed team gold medals at both the Tokyo Olympic Games and the FEI World Championships 2022. Safely qualified, their concern will be trying to replace Peder Fredricson’s incredible All In, who earned a most celebratory retirement in February. “Allan,” as the barefoot bay was affectionately called, won six championship medals in his career. In Tokyo, he became just the second horse in history to jump the entire Olympic Games without having a single rail.

The Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland and Germany also secured their places in Herning, while Belgium earned its spot at the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2022 in Barcelona (ESP). Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates secured team quota places at their Group F Designated Olympic Qualification Event, but 33 team quota places remain.

The United States earned the silver medal in Tokyo, but they will rely on the 2023 Pan American Games to qualify for Paris. Among the powerhouses of the sport, the U.S. won back-to-back team gold medals at the 2004 and 2008 Games and has medalled at seven of the last 10 Olympics, but the pressure will be on in Chile for them to add to that Olympic resume. If they do not qualify at the Pan Ams, they would have one last opportunity at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2023 In Barcelona.

The 2023 FEI European Championship in Milano (ITA), 29 August – 03 Sept. will also offer three team quotas for European nations from Group A and/or B. Fifteen additional individual quotas are also available for athletes from nations that have not already accepted a team quota place

Don’t miss a hoofbeat! Follow equestrian sports’ road to Paris at https://inside.fei.org/fei/games/olympic.

Virginia Horse Center Eventing Secures 2023 Pan American Games Judges & Ground Jury for H.T. and FEI Level Competition May 25-28

By US Equestrian Press Release on Mar 15, 2023 10:30 am -

Marina Sciocchetti and her horse Master Hunt won the International Event in Fontainebleau and placed seventh Individually at the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles.

Joanie Morris has been hard at work assembling a top panel of judges and technical delegates for the VHC Eventing’s May Horse Trials and CCI. The event is fortunate to have secured Italian Olympian, Marina Sciocchetti, who will serve as President of the 3*/1*/A-CT Ground Jury. A native of Somma Lombardo, located in Northern Italy, Sciocchetti will add to an impressive list of other officials at VHC Eventing’s May Horse Trials & CCI before heading to Bromont to judge their June CCI 3-Day Event.

Sciocchetti will be joined in the judge’s box for the CCI 3* and Advanced CT by Bobby Stevenson. This is a rare opportunity for high-performance riders to get in front of a judging panel of this caliber, as both Stevenson and Sciocchetti are members of the Ground Jury for the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile. VHC Eventing will be hosting an Advanced Combined Training division in addition to the CCI 3*, which will also provide spectators with the ability to observe talented athletes at this level of equestrian sport.

Sciocchetti achieved a great level of success during her early riding career, winning the Italian Junior Championships four times in dressage and twice in Eventing, before finishing sixth in the European Junior Championships. Aboard Rohan de Lechereo she was a member of the Italian Team at the European Eventing Championships in Luhmulhen, and the Olympic games in Moscow where they helped Italy achieve a team Silver medal.

Italian Olympian, Marina Sciocchetti, will serve as President of the 3*/1*/A-CT Ground Jury.

With her younger horse, Master Hunt, Sciocchetti won the International Event in Fontainebleau and placed seventh Individually at the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles. She then began to train young horses and competed in show jumping for several years having good results in the Championships for young horses and Piazza di Siena in the 7-year-old classes.

Sciocchetti has trained the Italian Pony Eventing team for 14 years and was the Chef d’Equipe of the Italian Junior Team in 2012 and 2013. Her resume also includes being a FEI judge in Le Pin, Pratoni del Vivaro, Le Pouget, Montelibretti, Strezgom, Baborowko, Ballindenisk, Avenches and Schwaiganger. Sciocchetti is currently in charge of the Young Horses Department of the Italian Federation for Dressage and Eventing, and works with the Italian Breeding Society in an advisory capacity.

Marina Sciocchetti will be joined in the judge’s box for the CCI 3* and Advanced CT by Bobby Stevenson. Stevenson, who hails from Big Horn, Wyoming and Southern Pines, North Carolina, has been an official for the past 32 years as well as FEI level TD and Judge for 14 years. Stevenson, who has ridden through the 3* level, credits Brian Ross as being an early mentor in his riding career. Stevenson has operated a training and sales business out of Southern Pines for years, but now travels extensively as a judge. He has served as a judge and/or TD at many international events including; The Virginia Horse Trials, The Kentucky 3 Day Event, Fair Hill International, Loch Moy, Southern Pines, Red Hills International, The Event at Rebecca Farm, Adelaide (AU), Blenheim Palace Horse Trials (UK), Le Lion (FR), and others.

This is a rare opportunity for high-performance riders to get in front of a judging panel of this caliber, as both Stevenson and Sciocchetti are members of the Ground Jury for the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile. VHC Eventing will be hosting an Advanced Combined Training division in addition to the CCI 3*, which will also provide spectators with the ability to observe talented athletes at this level of equestrian sport.

VHC Eventing is honored to present the following cast of top-level TD’s, judges and staff for the May Horse Trials and CCI:

President Ground Jury 3*/1*/A-CT – Marina Sciocchetti
Member Ground Jury 3*/ and Judge AI – Bobby Stevenson
President Ground Jury 2* L and 2S* – Amanda Miller
Member 2* Ground Jury (and YEH Judge) – Beth Wheeler
President GJ National Divisions – Sara Miller Leary
GJ Member National and 1* – Holly Matt
GJ Member National – Julie Congleton
Technical Delegate (3S/2L/2S) – Gretchen Butts
Technical Delegate (National and 1*) – Rick Caldwell
SJ Judge – Kathy White
FEI Chief Steward – Dana Diemer
FEI Stewards – Shelley Ryan, Manny Diemer, Jeff Legg
Vet Delegate – Jim Hamilton
Associate Vet – Karen Reynolds
Announcers – Brian O’Connor & Mark Combs
Control – Diane Pitts

The VHC Eventing webpage is live, with the full list of committee members, course designers and event staff. Details on vendors and sponsorship, lodging, event entries, volunteer positions, cross-country maps and facility information are being added on a weekly basis.

Entries open April 11th, so start to make your plans early by visiting VHC Eventing.

2023 FEI Nations Cup Series Enjoys Early Start at March’s Montelibretti

By US Equestrian Press Release on Mar 9, 2023 2:30 pm -

The British are back on top in the 2022 Nations Cup finale. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

This weekend the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ will return in full force, with the opening event to be held at Montelibretti in Italy from 9-12 March. This prestigious venue in the province of Rome is expected to host leading riders from various European nations.

The FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Series, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, is open to all nations around the world, and is held at CCIO4* Short and Long format levels. The final classification of the Series will be made by accumulation of the points obtained by teams in each competition. Riders can gain FEI points for the world rankings, and also this year the Series offers valuable qualifying spots for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The 2023 FEI Nations Cup™ season will run a slightly longer season than last year, which previously started in May. This year it runs from March to October. Once again there are eight legs, all of which are held around Europe with the Series culminating at Boekelo (NED) from 5-9 October, where the overall winners of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ will be crowned.

The 2022 Series attracted some of the world’s leading riders, including New Zealand riders Tim and Jonelle Price and Tokyo gold medalists Laura Collett and Tom McEwen from the UK, as well as some exciting rising stars. Germany finished as overall winners of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Series on a final point score of 450, with Italy in overall second on 415 points, and Sweden in third place on 375.

Phillip Surl was Team GB’s Nations Cup Chef d’Equipe last season. He argues the importance of the series, as a valuable opportunity in offering riders and horses match-practice in being part of a team, and the extra pressure that comes with that. Speaking at Boekelo last year, he said: “If you take it back to its early years, there are a lot of riders who have cut their teeth in the Series. It will be a golden-ticket year as it was in 2019, so there will be a lot of teams chasing qualification for the Paris Olympics in 2024.

“A lot of nations use the Series in different ways. We are lucky with the strength and depth (in Britain) that we are able to be fairly competitive at every one we go to, but over the years there are riders and also horses now at top level know who have started out competing internationally through this system. We have certainly used it for the young horses coming through and if they cope with this and grow from the experience, it’s always going to be useful later on in their careers.”

Team Switzerland take the win for the CCIO4*-S FEI Nations Cup Eventing – Switzerland in 2022.
Copyright ©FEI/Libby Law

The season will run as follows:

Montelibretti (ITA) – 09-12 March

Chatsworth (GBR) – 13- 14 May

Millstreet (IRL) – 01- 06 June

Strzegom (POL) – 21- 25 June

Haras de Jardy (FRA) – 13- 16 July

Avenches (SUI) – 20- 23 July

Arville (BEL) – 17- 20 August

Boekelo (NED) – 05- 10 October

Attention Intercollegiate Eventers! Your Championship will be Held at Tryon, May 26-28

By US Equestrian Press Release on Mar 7, 2023 11:30 am -

Auburn University’s mascot “Aubie” was out cheering on the team. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Exciting news for all you Intercollegiate eventers reading this! The Intercollegiate Eventing Championships have become a popular destination for teams to gather; last year’s Championships were held at Bouckaert Farm. This year, the USEA has announced the Intercollegiate Eventing Championships will be held at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC, May 26-28.

Entries for the Championship will open April 11 and close on May 9. There are no qualifications necessary to enter, but schools represented must be registered Affiliates of the USEA.

Here is some more information on the upcoming event:

All participants must be enrolled as undergraduate students or be no more than six months past the completion of their undergraduate education, allowing December graduates to compete in the May championship. The USEA will no longer offer the Graduate division at the Intercollegiate Championship due to lack of participation in recent years.

TIEC offers an expansive selection of on-site accommodations, which can be viewed and booked here. For further information on the venue, local accommodations, travel and things to do, view TIEC’s Visitor’s Guide here. Any remaining questions regarding the 2023 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship can be directed to USEA Staff Liaison, Kaleigh Collett, via email at [email protected] or by phone at (703) 669-9994.

About the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program

The USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program was established in 2014 to provide a framework within which eventing teams and individual competitors could flourish at universities and colleges across the country. The USEA offers a discount of $25 on annual USEA memberships for current students of universities and colleges registered as Affiliates with the USEA. Many events across the country now offer Intercollegiate Team Challenges where collegiate eventers can compete individually as well as on teams with their fellow students. In Intercollegiate Team Challenges, each rider’s score is multiplied by a coefficient appropriate for their level to account for differences in level difficulty, and then the individual scores are added together to determine the team score. Click here to learn more about the Intercollegiate Eventing Program.

British Eventing’s Howden Way Reveals Talent Pathway Tiers

By US Equestrian Press Release on Mar 2, 2023 2:00 pm -

British Eventing and The Howden Way are committed to nurturing talent for the future. Photo courtesy of British Eventing.

British Eventing is delighted to share The Howden Way Talent Pathway, an update to its current Youth Performance programme which will help nurture and develop the next generation of talent in our sport. With athlete and horse welfare at the forefront, the new Howden Way Talent Pathway will encourage riders to stay engaged with the sport and enable them to be independent, well-educated riders who take responsibility for their own performances. The programme will support riders as they transition through the age groups, including those moving into senior levels.

The Howden Way Talent Pathway comprises five tiers, each of which focuses on a different rider demographic:

Tier 1 – Supporting riders U28 transitioning out of Young Riders and competing at 4* and beyond.

Young Horse Academy – sitting alongside the Talent Pathway tiers, The Howden Way Young Horse Academy identifies young quality horses produced by young athletes who are not currently supported by any other talent programmes.

Tier 2 – Supporting athletes aged 12-21 aiming for success at the European Championships for Ponies, Juniors and Young Riders in the current year.

Tier 3 – Supporting the Youth riders transitioning out of age groups along with developing those Pony, Junior and Young Rider combinations who are aiming for European Championships either in the current or following year/s.

Tier 4 – Developing riders competing in their respective age groups but not eligible for Tiers 2 or 3.

There is a clear performance criterion for combinations to be eligible for each of the tiers of the pathway, with full details are available here. Eligible combinations have been invited onto the Talent Pathway, with another intake for those who reach these criteria during the year.

“We are absolutely delighted to be launching the Talent Pathway and to be able to expand and develop the support that we are able to offer our younger riders,” says Justine Parker, BE head of training and development. “By providing the right training and guidance during these formative years we can help shape riders into all-round athletes and provide them with the skills and toolkit required to enable riders to fulfil their potential and provide foundations for a lifelong engagement in the sport.”

Darrell Scaife, BE Youth Performance Manager, adds, “The Howden Way Talent Pathway offers a clear and objective performance-based recognition of ability, and will provide help and support in developing the key skills attached to potential. I am grateful to Talent Pathway and to British Eventing for providing this opportunity which will further enable our younger athletes to grow.”

STRIDER Partners with StartBox Online Scoring for Eventing & Dressage

By US Equestrian Press Release on Mar 1, 2023 5:00 pm -

Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

STRIDER, the leading bookings platform for the equestrian industry, today announced an integration with Startbox Online Scoring, the premier system for horse show management and online scoring, to provide expanded functionality to over 200,000 Strider users.

Strider is a unique provider in the industry as its innovative mobile-friendly entry platform is designed not only to support guest users, but also to offer venues visibility in front of an audience of over 1.2M equestrians around the world. As a certified United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) entry provider, Strider enables venues to collect digital entries for competitions and educational events across all 29 USEF breeds and disciplines.

The partnership will initially support venues that host recognized and schooling competitions in eventing & dressage. In addition, the partnership will enable direct entry-scoring integration for United States Pony Club rallies.

“Our user growth has been phenomenal over the last year. When we evaluated potential digital scoring partners to support this growth, we found that StartBox’s ease of use and proven functionality aligned perfectly with our vision of creating a seamless integrated show management experience for our customers,” says Tara Swersie, CEO of STRIDER.

StartBox is the industry leader in online scoring across recognized eventing, dressage, and Pony Club competitions. In addition, StartBox’s software is routinely favored by venues that host schooling events that need scoring. Launched in 2008, StartBox supports hundreds of competitions from the grassroots to FEI level across North America.

“In support of our mission to support the wider equestrian community, we’re proud to offer this integration with Strider. Venues that use Strider are increasingly broadening the disciplines they work with and those venues are looking for an integrated solution….this partnership is a natural decision,” says Scott Weber, Partner at StartBox Online Scoring.

With the Strider + Startbox integration, event organizers using Strider can:

Collect digital entries from riders with SafeSport and membership data included
View uploaded Coggins and signature pages in real time
Offer digital release signing to riders, trainers, and coaches
Send entries + rider membership information to Startbox for scheduling
Brand show entry with their logo, company name and more

The added features will be part of Strider new Gold member level, a subscription based service launching Spring 2023. This integration enables organizers of all disciplines to directly sync with Startbox — all from their Strider organizer dashboard. This complements STRIDER’s integration of the USEF Membership API and compatibility with Event Entries in an effort to expand access to equestrian sport across disciplines, from the grass roots through FEI-sanctioned competitions.

FEI Solidarity Relief Fund Continues Support to War-Torn Ukraine One Year On

By US Equestrian Press Release on Feb 25, 2023 2:00 pm -

Lithuania’s Aistis Vitkauskas incorporates a nod to Ukraine in his trot-up presentation at Luhmühlen in 2022. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The 25th of February 2023 marks one year since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces began with the support of Belarus.

“This has been a tragic year in which the equestrian community, and indeed the entire population of Ukraine, have suffered tremendously,” says FEI President Ingmar De Vos. “Almost immediately after the start of the war, the FEI set aside a CHF 1 Million Solidarity Relief Fund to aid the equestrian community in the country as well as those who have left the embattled nation. In the months that followed, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) also joined forces with the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund, establishing the USEF Ukraine Relief Fund to support Ukraine horses and equestrians, with 100% of funds raised going to the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund to be distributed by the FEI for projects approved by the USEF.”

“Our general approach has been about supporting and leading initiatives to provide relief to the Ukrainian equestrian community rather than distributing money. A key area that required immediate action was assistance in the relocation of horses from conflict zones. We initially set up a logistical hub in Granat, located in western Ukraine between the city of Lviv and the Polish border, to prepare horses for transfer into the European Union. However, as time went on, we quickly realised we could provide greater relief to horse owners by helping them keep their horses in safer regions within Ukraine, and for this, we purchased a total of 120 boxes, which have been set up in strategic hubs around the country.”

“We worked closely with various European companies to purchase 7,400 kg of veterinary supplies and equipment and transport them into Ukraine from the neighbouring countries for use by 22 local veterinarians to treat common conditions such as colic, infections, and lameness in 5,700 horses. We purchased and transported large quantities of premix of vitamins, minerals and nutritional additives, which were enough to prepare hundreds of tons of horse feed on the ground in Ukraine.”

Sonia Shulga, 14, during training with the Ukrainian Vaulting team in Bernolákovo (SVK) on 18 May 2022. (c) FEI/Richard Juilliart.

Furthermore, he explains, “The FEI Solidarity Relief Fund supplied scholarships and training support to two Jumping and two Dressage athletes, who took part in the FEI Dressage European Championships for Juniors and Young Riders 2022 held in Hartpury (GBR). Assistance was also provided to five Vaulting Athletes, aged between 11 and 15, who became the first team to ever represent Ukraine in an international Vaulting Event when they participated in CVI1* in Kaposvár (HUN) from 20 to 22 May 2022. Funds covering the staff salaries were provided to the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation.”

The FEI’s contribution is set to continue on in 2023, as is their restriction on any FEI events taking place in Russia or Belarus in 2023. No competitions will be added to the calendar in these countries for this year; planned officials’ courses in the countries will be relocated elsewhere, and Russian and Belarusian athletes, officials, and horses will remain unable to take part in FEI events and courses indefinitely.

“So far, we have used half of the sum available in the Fund and we are committed to continuing our support in 2023 by providing additional athlete scholarships and training assistance, purchasing veterinary equipment and nutritional supplies, and financially supporting the Ukrainian National Federation staff,” President De Vos concludes.

“We would like to thank FEI Solidarity for the financial support of the young Ukrainian riders,” Mykhaylo Parkhomchuk, Secretary General of the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation (UEF) and Founder and CEO of the Ukrainian Equestrian Charity Foundation (UECF), says. “Unfortunately, many equestrian centres that were built with great love for our beautiful sport are standing in ruins. Equestrian sport in Ukraine will need a long-term recovery plan. Currently, we are discussing with the FEI Solidarity possibilities of support for equestrian equipment that would help boost the sports development in our country. The UECF is immensely grateful to the FEI for the ongoing support and remains committed to working together to support the equestrian community’s development and future recovery.”

STRIDER and EN Are Going Steady, Baby: 2023 Brings Another Year of Partnership

By US Equestrian Press Release on Feb 24, 2023 2:00 pm -

Tamie with some happy clinic participants. This could be you – if you get yourself over to STRIDER to sign up for your next clinic! Photo by Amber Heintzberger.

We’re truly chuffed to bits to announce that our partnership with STRIDER will continue on throughout 2023, with a shared aim of increased visibility for equestrian events while enabling equestrian organizers one of the biggest audiences possible to successfully promote their events worldwide.

Strider has become a real giant in our industry, and is the leading bookings platform for equestrians, with over 200,000 annual users. We hope you’re already pretty familiar with us here at EN, but if not, we like to think we’re also pretty good at what we do, with a global readership of over 1.2 million horse enthusiasts. Together, we’re jointly committed to expanding access and engagement throughout equestrian sport.

Throughout the 2023 partnership, equestrian organizers will be able to easily reach Eventing Nation’s thousands of readers to successfully generate media buzz and community awareness about their events, regardless of discipline.

Key features of the partnership will include:

The ability for equestrian organizers to offer a full range of activities for online entry – everything from recognized horse shows, to clinics, to camps –on the popular STRIDER booking platform, and then immediately receive free publicity in front of Eventing Nation’s 1.2M readership.
Automatic cross promotion on Eventing Nation’s “What’s Happening” page, a popular resource for thousands of riders each month seeking competitive and educational opportunities.
Preferred rates for EN readership on Strider Gold plans, which enables venues to easily send digital entries in recognized eventing and dressage competitions to StartBox online scoring.
Immediate access to USEF database results for horse & rider via Strider’s FastEntry product, the only USEF certified entry software capable of supporting across all breeds and disciplines
Preferred rates for Strider Members on Eventing Nation’s elite Media Promotion service, scheduled to launch Summer 2023.

“Enabling cross-promotion between Strider and Eventing Nation audiences is a win-win. When we broaden the awareness of what’s happening across equestrian sport, we enable wider participation and ultimately the growth of the sport, says Tara Swersie, CEO of STRIDER.

“Events are a huge part of the equestrian industry, but most horse show and clinic organizers don’t have the marketing resources to get their event seen by thousands of riders,” agrees our own boss lady, EN editor Sally Spickard. “With this collaboration, Eventing Nation is able to offer our 1.2m readership direct access to one of the biggest audiences possible for equestrian promotion, all with a simple click of a button.”

Under the new editorial leadership, Eventing Nation is fast becoming a resource where the entire eventing community can easily access both global news and educational resources in addition to competitions, clinics and other opportunities.

Eventing Nation joins the team of STRIDER partners who are committed to connecting equestrians to the very best in opportunities, products, and services available, including ProElite Feed, Horse & Country, Horse & Rider Books, the United States Eventing Association (USEA), Dressage4Kids, United States Equestrian Federation, Morven Park International Equestrian Center, AHT Insurance, Horse & Rider Books, and Dressage Today.

We’re delighted to continue on with our overall M.O. of helping eventing become the best it can be, and get the worldwide positive attention it deserves. To learn more about STRIDER, which operates the only digital provider certified by the United States Equestrian Federation to support entries across all disciplines and breeds, click here – and as always, Go Eventing!

British Eventing Adds a Spate of Events to the 2023 Calendar

By US Equestrian Press Release on Feb 23, 2023 2:34 pm -

Heidi Coy and Russal Z. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Great news for British-based eventers: just one week ahead of the start of the 2023 season, British Eventing has announced the addition of several events to the calendar, giving riders across the country even more opportunities to enjoy their sport of choice. Here’s what’s been added:

South East – Regional Championships
The South East region will now see a Regional Championship scheduled to take place on 12 & 13 August 2023 at Blindley Heath, Lingfield. This will give members an additional Regional Championship to aim for alongside the five that are already scheduled. Qualification to compete at the Regional Championships is achievable for many with two double clears required during the qualifying period. The top 10% finishers will then pick up the highly coveted qualification tickets for the NAF Five Star BE80 Championships at Bramham and the Voltaire Design Grassroots Championships at Badminton at BE90 & BE100 level. As well as the Regional Championship pathway there will also be the opportunity to qualify directly from the OBP Grassroots Leagues. Further information on the Regional Championships and all they have to offer can be found here.

Little Gatcombe
The highly popular event that was known as ‘Little Gatcombe’ is back in the calendar with two dates for 2023. The first of the two will run on the weekend of 17 & 18 June 2023 and the second on the weekend of 16 & 17 September 2023. Classes on offer span BE80, BE90 and BE100. We know this will be an extremely welcome fixture back in the BE calendar and we are delighted to be able to offer these two dates to the membership once again giving them the opportunity to compete at such a prestigious venue.

Oxstalls
We will now see Oxstalls, Gloucestershire running on the weekend of 15 & 16 April which will replace Ascott-Under-Wychwood (1) which has unfortunately had to cancel. However, Ascott-Under-Wychwood (2) will go ahead as scheduled on 3 & 4 June 2023. Moving the fixture to Oxstalls will see the same classes run at BE80, BE90 & BE100 level alongside Under 18 classes at each of these levels. In addition, Oxstalls will be running a BE105 class as well as GoBE classes at 80, 90 & 100 level.

“We welcome Little Gatcombe back into the BE calendar and know that this will be well received by our members,” says Helen West, Chief Executive for British Eventing. “We are confident that Charles Etherington-Smith and his team will deliver a gold standard product for our membership to benefit from, which will initially be at the BE80, BE90 and BE100 levels, but looking to the future, we know the site has the capacity to run at higher levels also.

“Blindley Heath was a new site in 2022 and proved very popular with the South East membership. BE have listened to feedback received from the membership about the geographical spread of Regional Championships and, having gone out inviting expressions of interest to host a Southeast Regional Championships, are thrilled to announce this addition which we hope will be welcomed by the membership.”

To visit the 2023 fixtures calendar, click here.

Meg Pellegrini Receives the USET Foundation’s 2023 Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant

By US Equestrian Press Release on Feb 17, 2023 2:00 pm -

Meg Pellegrini and RF Eloquence. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Up-and-coming eventing athlete Meg Pellegrini of Wayne, Pennsylvania, was named the recipient of the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation’s Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant for 2023. A current competitor in the Under 25 (U25) division, Pellegrini is progressing along the US Equestrian (USEF) High Performance Pathway with aspirations of representing the United States internationally.

The Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant is awarded annually through the USET Foundation’s Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund. Pirie’s family established the fund in her memory to provide financial assistance to an eventing athlete identified as having the talent and ability to represent the United States in the future. It is intended for a recipient that will benefit most from the opportunity to continue their training with top coaches and to compete against the world’s best in eventing, one of three Olympic equestrian disciplines. As the recipient of the grant, Pellegrini will receive up to $5,000 to help offset expenses associated with her training throughout 2023.

“I definitely want to thank the USET Foundation, my coaches at home, my family, and everyone who keeps my career running,” said Pellegrini, 19. “I feel very fortunate to be chosen for the Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant this year. I think that it’s vital for younger riders to be given an extra boost and level of support through the grant. I’m very, very thankful.”

Pellegrini grew up eventing in California before relocating to Pennsylvania with her family in 2020. In Pellegrini’s eyes, the move was a critical component to further her training.

“Once we arrived in Pennsylvania, I got started with my coach Lillian Heard and she polished me up immediately,” Pellegrini explained. “She helped me find my next couple of horses and has really been my guiding hand during the past few years.

“The initial move was overwhelming, with all of the big events on the East Coast and competing with people I’d only watched from afar,” she continued. “I knew I wanted to compete at the highest levels, so I had to push myself to get better and keep learning. All of the opportunities since the move have been incredible, and I’m very lucky to be here.”

Meg Pellegrini and RF Eloquence. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Pellegrini has made the most of her recent opportunities, earning a number of top placings in Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) two- and three-star competitions in 2022. Competing in the CCI3*-L division at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana, in July of 2022, she placed second riding RF Eloquence, her 18-year-old Holsteiner gelding. In October of 2022, she won the CCIYJ2*-L division at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina, with Global Naxos, her 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding.

In addition to the support she has received since moving to Pennsylvania, Pellegrini also credits her experiences along the USEF High Performance Pathway for preparing her to one day compete at an elite level.

“Being a part of the U25 Pathway Program has acted like a jump start to my career,” she explained. “Being able to work closely with [USEF’s Eventing Emerging and Developing Athlete Coach] Leslie Law and other coaches that USEF has introduced me to has been huge for my riding. I definitely have the long view in mind in terms of competing on the big international stages.”

Thanks to the Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant, Pellegrini can continue to focus on her training to help reach her goal of representing the United States around the world.

Blenheim International Secures New Organizer and Confirms 2023 Dates

By US Equestrian Press Release on Feb 17, 2023 10:00 am -

Photo courtesy of Blenheim Palace International.

We’re delighted to report that the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials will continue on as planned this year, despite having unexpectedly lost its organiser, the Jockey Club, in November after just two iterations.

Now, the event will go forth under the banner of Stable Events Ltd, who are best known for putting on a host of successful Game Fairs across the UK. Blenheim will run from September 14-17, 2023, with both the popular CCI4*-L and the prestigious CCI4*-S for eight- and nine-year-olds back on the calendar. In even more exciting news for grassroots riders, there are murmurings that much-loved classes such as the arena eventing competition may be on the way back, too.

“The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials have a rich history and we’re committed to upholding that tradition and making this year’s event even more special,” says James Gower, Managing Director of Stable Events.

Roy Cox, Blenheim Estates Managing Director, concurs: “We are delighted to announce these dates, which continue over 30 years of this World Heritage Site providing a platform to our gold medal winning athletes, aspiring competitors and amateurs alike, all in front of the many tens of thousands who come to enjoy such a great sport in such a great setting making such special memories. We look forward to working with Stable Events – a company who know Blenheim Palace well and there is lots more news to come, including members from all areas of the eventing community who will help make sure BPIHT is the first date in your calendar every year.”

Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Lour, winners of Blenheim’s CCI4*-L in 2021. Photo courtesy of Blenheim Palace International.

“British Eventing are delighted that Stable Events has been appointed to run The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials and excited that the event will go ahead in 2023. The Blenheim Palace event is a key date in the British Eventing calendar, providing a pathway event to the 5* level of the sport,” says Helen West, CEO of British Eventing. “We are particularly encouraged by initial conversations with the organisers around reinstating opportunities at Blenheim Palace for our Grassroots members. There is real appetite from Stable Events to add value to the BE membership, with indications that free member parking will be provided, along with other membership discounts being explored. This means that Blenheim Palace will be a showcase for the whole sport, benefitting as many of our members as possible.”

Laura Collett, who won the eight- and nine-year-old class in 2018 with her Badminton and Pau winner and Olympic gold medallist London 52, is delighted to see Blenheim’s place in the calendar secured.

“I am very pleased to hear someone has taken over the trials and excited to know it will be on the calendar again,” she says. “It was a worrying time with the Jockey Club pulling out that we might lose a very significant event from the calendar[…] Blenheim is a fantastic event and one that has been a stepping stone for many future 5* winners ,particularly from the 8/9yo champs.”

512 Trainers Accepted to 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover

By US Equestrian Press Release on Feb 15, 2023 11:42 am -

Warlander and Haylie at their Training Test 2 at the Thoroughbred Makeover. Photo by Bethany P Photography.

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today that 512 trainers have been accepted to the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The world’s largest and most lucrative retraining competition for recently-retired racehorses takes place on October 11-14, 2023 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, awarding over $100,000 in prize money.

The flagship event of the RRP, the Thoroughbred Makeover is open to professionals, juniors, amateurs and teams, all of whom compete with Thoroughbreds who raced or trained to race within the past two years and who have no more than 10 months of retraining. With the horses serving as the equalizing factor, all trainers compete on even footing, with juniors, amateurs and teams enjoying great success at the Makeover. (Last year’s Thoroughbred Makeover Champion, She’s a Bold One, was trained by junior Jenna Denver, the second junior in the event’s history to win top honors.) New for 2023, the Former Broodmare Division, sponsored by Claiborne Farm, will include former broodmares who recently retired from the breeding industry as well.

“On behalf of TCA, we congratulate all of the trainers accepted into the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover,” said Erin Halliwell, executive director of TCA. “We appreciate the time and resources trainers dedicate to transitioning Thoroughbreds into their next careers, and we appreciate the impact that the RRP and the Thoroughbred Makeover has made on the lives of thousands of Thoroughbreds over the years.”

Competition at the Thoroughbred Makeover is available in ten disciplines, and trainers can choose to compete in up to two: barrel racing, competitive trail, dressage, eventing, field hunter, polo, ranch work, show hunter, show jumper, and freestyle (a free-form discipline to demonstrate skills of the trainer’s choice).

While trainers did not need to declare their entry intentions for their individual horses on their applications, they did need to provide a horseman’s resume that detailed their training and competition experience, including riding video in their disciplines of declared expertise. Applicants also furnished letters from their veterinarians starting that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to appropriately care for a horse transitioning from the track. An application committee considered each applicant’s ability as described in their application to bring along a recently-retired Thoroughbred and compete at a national venue in a big environment.

Photo courtesy of Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover.

Accepted trainers are encouraged to register their horses with the RRP as soon as they acquire them; horse registration closes on July 28, 2023. As horses are registered and approved, they will appear on the entry list at TheRRP.org/entries. Trainers have signed up bring a total of 536 horses. (Late applications will also be considered through June 30, 2023.)

“The 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover marks ten years since the event’s pilot, a showcase of 23 horses on the homestretch of Pimlico Racecourse in 2013,” said Kirsten Green, executive director of the RRP. “While the Makeover still serves as a showcase for the breed, it has evolved to become an integral part of the aftercare industry, driving demand for Thoroughbreds who are completing their racing careers and offering participants the community and support needed to ensure they’re successful with their horses.”

The 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover will once again include The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) Western and Central Region Dressage Championships, adding more opportunities for Thoroughbred enthusiasts to enjoy the week at the Kentucky Horse Park. The ASPCA Makeover Marketplace and ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Barn will also return, offering horse shoppers the unique opportunity to watch a horse compete, trial ride, and complete a pre-purchase exam all in one location. Other opportunities at the Thoroughbred Makeover will include a vibrant Vendor Fair running all week long, plus interactive educational seminars.

The Thoroughbred Makeover is the flagship event of the RRP, a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to increasing the demand for and value of Thoroughbreds in careers after racing. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover: contact [email protected] for more information.

4th Annual Tom Bass Seminar on Diversity in Equestrian Sport to be Streamed Globally

By US Equestrian Press Release on Feb 14, 2023 10:49 am -

Mimi Gochman rides Merino Van de Achterhoek at Aachen. Her achievements will be among those celebrated in this year’s Tom Bass Seminar. © FEI/ Richard Juilliart

The 4th Tom Bass Seminar on Diversity in Equestrian Sports will be held as an online webinar on Saturday, February 25th from 12:00 noon (UTC 17.00.00) to 2:30 p.m. (UTC 19.30.00) Eastern Standard Time. The virtual meeting will examine issues relating to diversity in domestic and international sport.

A live feed of the meeting will be available worldwide via YouTube and SQITV, the digital content delivery service of SportsQuest International, LLC, powered by YouTube.

First launched in 2019, as part of the annual Day of the African Equestrian (DOTAE) celebrations, the seminar takes place in a climate of political, commercial and societal disruption highlighted by questions over migration, police brutality, reparations, cultural and economic imperialism, ‘wokeness’ and a widening gap between ‘the haves’ and the ‘have nots’ in the United States and other countries.

The first portion of the seminar will honor recent achievements of note. Victories celebrated will include (but are certainly not be limited to) those of:

Mimi Gochman — USA representative in the 2022 FEI Youth Equestrian Games (Team Gold Medalist and Individual Bronze Medalist) – selected to the U.S. Nations Cup Team (Jumping) for Vejer de la Frontera CSIO3* (Spain) and Vilamoura CSIO3* (Portugal)

Jefferson ‘Tot’ Goodwin MFH — Champion – 2022 MFHA National Foxhound Performance Trials Championship

Jad Guerraoui (Morocco) — Silver Medalist – 2022 FEI Youth Equestrian Games Individual Competition Muthoni Kimani (Kenya) – Winner, 2022 FEI Against All Odds Award

Mia Rodier-Dawallo — Champion – 2022 U.S. Para Dressage Championship

Pape Seck (Senegal) — Chef d’ Equipe – Team Africa – 2022 FEI Youth Equestrian Games

Mavis Spencer — selected to the U.S. Nations Cup Team (Jumping) for the 2022 Vejer de la Frontera CSIO3* (Spain) and Vilamoura CSIO3* (Portugal)

Thomas van Rijckevorsel (South Africa) — Gold Medalist – 2022 FEI Youth Equestrian Games Individual Competition

Dressage South Africa Solidarity Stars Project – Winners of the 2022 FEI Solidarity Award Team Africa – Bronze Medalists in 2022 FEI Youth Equestrian Games Team Competition

The webinar will also highlight several significant initiatives towards diversity.

Nonprofit organizations and equestrian sports federations from throughout the world are invited to submit a short (3–5 minute) video or PowerPoint presentation outlining highlights of their efforts towards Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). No commercial messages please! All materials should be submitted to: [email protected] and must be received by Thursday, February 23rd. Melvin Cox, Managing Director of SportsQuest International, LLC and a Lecturer at the University of California, Santa Cruz will serve as moderator of the seminar.

Screenshot from the 2020 Tom Bass Seminar.

Topics to be explored during the 4th Tom Bass Seminar on Diversity in Equestrian Sport include:

Demystifying horse sport — not for rich kids only… Reviving equestrian heritage in lower and middle income communities
Developing broad-based community support for equestrian activities at all levels
Building sustainable programs that support diversity in the horse industry
Incorporating the lessons gleaned from social activism into the ways in which we do business
Leveraging (new and traditional) media in horse focused education and promotion
Developing stories that more accurately reflect the life experiences of equestrians of color
Incorporating the rich equestrian heritages of non-white, non-European communities (including
African, African-American, Asian, Hispanic, Native-American, Romani, South Asian and others) into

our shared equestrian narrative
Supporting entrepreneurship within the equestrian marketplace

Free on-line registration for persons wishing to interactively participate in the 4th Tom Bass Seminar on Diversity in Equestrian Sports is available here.

Tom Bass riding his famous Saddlebred partner, Belle Beach. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

A legendary American Saddlebred trainer, Tom Bass (1859–1934) was born enslaved in Columbia, Missouri. He played a prominent role both in the establishment of the American Royal Horse Show in Kansas City and in the promotion of the city of Mexico, Missouri as the ‘Saddle Horse Capital of the World’.

Highlights of his extraordinary career include championships at two World’s Fairs and more than 2,000 blue ribbons. For many years he was the only African-American permitted to compete at the American Royal.

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