Classic Eventing Nation

Product Review: Professional’s Choice Pro Performance Schooling Boots

By on Dec 2, 2015 3:00 pm -
Mia models the Professional's Choice Pro Performance Schooling Boots. Photo by Josh Autry. Mia models the Professional's Choice Pro Performance Schooling Boots. Photo by Josh Autry.

I think we can all agree that protective boots are one of the most important parts of your horse’s wardrobe. Whether you’re schooling on the flat at home or galloping cross country at a competition, ensuring that your horse’s legs are protected from bumps, cuts and injuries is crucial to longterm soundness.

That’s why I’m obsessed with always searching for the very best choices when it comes to protecting my event horse’s legs. I’ve tried several different types of boots for her this season, and the Professional’s Choice Pro Performance Schooling Boots are my current favorite choice for schooling and riding at home.

The thing that jumps out to you right away about these boots is the quality and craftsmanship you can both see and feel. Sometimes schooling boots seem too flimsy to offer any real protection, but the Pro Performance Schooling Boots offer an ideal balance between durability and flexibility — they protect while still allowing comfort and freedom of movement.

The outer shell of the boots is made from a honeycomb, hex-patterned TPU material that is extremely lightweight and breathable but also feels tough — like it can hold up to a lot of abuse and heavy use. The boots also feature a ballistic strike guard on the outer shell to protect against interference. The inner lining is made of soft, comfortable foam that is also eco-friendly and antibacterial.

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Image courtesy of Professional’s Choice

My 16.2-hand big-boned Thoroughbred usually wears a large in hind boots, but I ended up needing to size down to a medium in the Pro Performance Schooling Boots to get the proper fit (the inner straps on the double hook-and-loop system were too long to be secured properly). The Pro Performance Schooling Boots don’t have separate front and hind sizes, but I found that the mediums fit all four of Mia’s legs well.

(Note that the large and extra large sizes in the Pro Performance Schooling Boots have three hook-and-loop straps, while the small and medium sizes have two straps. Click here to see the sizing chart, and if you have any questions on the fit, feel free to ask me in the comments below.)

Even before I swapped down to a smaller size, the larger boots didn’t slip down during rides. The foam lining really does an excellent job of keeping the boots in place, as well as preventing rubs. I really liked that I didn’t have to worry about splashing through a creek while out for a hack when Mia wore the Pro Performance Schooling Boots.

The inside lining of the boots is made of a comfortable, soft foam. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The inner lining is made of soft, comfortable foam that is also eco-friendly and antibacterial. Photo by Jenni Autry.

I know what you’re probably thinking in seeing these pictures: “My slob of a horse would turn those pretty white boots to brown in approximately five minutes.” I did worry about using white boots as an everyday schooling option, and this is actually the first time I’ve ever owned schooling boots in white.

The boots wipe down well, but since they’re machine washable, I’ve found that the easiest way to keep them clean is to toss them in the washer. I’ve had some schooling boots slowly start to fall apart after regular washing in a machine, but the Pro Performance Schooling Boots still look sparkly white and new, and I’ve even been able to buff out stains.

The Professional’s Choice Pro Performance Schooling Boots are available in black or white and are sold in pairs; you can get them in sizes small, medium, large and extra large at a retail price of $89.95 per pair. Click here to check them out on the Professional’s Choice website.

Do you own the Professional’s Choice Pro Performance Schooling Boots? Let us know your own experience with the boots in the comments below. We’ve also reviewed the other boots in the Pro Performance series, so don’t miss EN’s experience with the XC boots and jumping boots. Go Eventing.

Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club Brings Horse Community to Philadelphia

By on Dec 2, 2015 1:00 pm -
The Ferrell family and Dan Aquilante. Photo courtesy of Lisa Thomas. The Ferrell family and Dan Aquilante. Photo courtesy of Lisa Thomas.

Traveling into downtown Philadelphia to visit the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club is a far cry from the preserved open space in Chester County that is just a short hour’s drive from the city.

Juxtapose the bucolic rural equestrian countryside that surrounds the city which is home to many world class riders, trainers and breeders … to the backdrop of this urban riding club.

The city streets of Strawberry Mansion in North Philly are scattered with litter, graffiti, and abandoned homes, and this is where residents live at the poverty level.

The community has fallen victim to unemployment, inner-city violence, and increased drug trafficking. This isn’t where one would expect to find a counter culture of families and individuals who come from several generations of devoted horsemen.

The History of Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club

For decades, the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club has offered local youth the opportunity to learn positive life lessons through caring for and riding horses that live in this urban environment.

The Club gives children and young adults the alternative to a life dominated by drugs and crime, the pervasive socio-economic situation that plagues the area.

Everyone here is drawn together by their love of horses and their passion to preserve the legacy of this urban riding culture created by previous generations. It is rumored that riding clubs in this area have existed for 100 years, and city land maps show stables dating back to the 1940’s.

There is an interesting backstory and unique history on the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club. Ellis Ferrell is the Grandfather of the club, and he and his family have been championing the cause for this group for the past several decades.

He is a large man with an even bigger heart, who has often saved many horses from the kill pen at New Holland in order to provide partners for these kids in need. This is truly a story of horses and humans saving one another.

Philanthropic Spirit to the Rescue

Susan Jordan, who literally stumbled across the area three years ago while researching information on the city, was shocked to see a horse stable and riders on the streets of Philadelphia.

She became emotionally drawn to understand more about Fletcher Street, and began to look for more information on the history of inner-city riding clubs.

In 2011, Ellis was forced to move out of his old stable on Fletcher Street into an open garage around the corner due to increased building rental costs. She approached Ellis wanting to get involved and to spearhead efforts to save the club.

Susan began researching property ownership information on the community riding area (nicknamed “Fletcher Field”) where all the surrounding stables exercise and turn out their horses.

At that point, Susan coordinated the approval of the 501C3 and their official fundraising site. She also helped negotiate the donation of the open building lot on Fletcher Street after it was purchased by someone at Sheriff’s auction, so Ellis could have a place to rebuild.

They were able to get the building lot donated in 2014, and that land was officially deeded to Ellis Ferrell in the name of the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club’s 501C3. She worked with Sean Eisele, a young filmmaker who produced the short featured film on Rally.org, and Susan and Sean also created the Club’s Facebook page to raise social awareness.

They were perched to clear the lot and to start rebuilding, but fundraising had stalled. With funds dwindling, Ellis was forced to move the horses to another part of the city, and the future of the club was looking bleak.

The Next Chapter of Giving

The next chapter of help began when a documentary film maker connected with Karen Raach, owner of Rock Solid Stables in Limerick, PA., in need of hauling horses during the film shoot.

Discovering the plight of the club and their horses, Karen quickly started organizing efforts to help Fletcher Street, and through tireless efforts and updates via social media, a core group was formed.

Dominique Damico of Ramble On Farm in Berwyn joined forces with her boyfriend Dan Aquilante of Aquilante Construction, who quickly organized a work crew to go into the city to level and clear the lot so there could be a new location for the stables.

Aquilante, who comes from a family of 16 siblings, understands the meaning of giving back to those less fortunate. When he originally contacted Ellis Ferrell and his family, the Ferrells were skeptical of the community outreach because they had been let down in the past.

Aquilante, anxious to prove his sincerity, delivered Thanksgiving dinner with his mother to serve 25 members of the Ferrell family on Thanksgiving Day! Due to his large family upbringing, he lives by the motto “Invest in yourself and don’t forget to give back”.

Raach made a call to 6 ABC Action News about the efforts being made over the holiday, and they were on site on Saturday, November 28th to report on the initial rehabbing efforts of the club’s donated lot.

Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club Is An Island of Hope and They Need Our Help

Lisa Thomas, founder of Mid-Atlantic Equestrian Services, had previously read about Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club through an article on Horse Nation that was published back in 2014.

Thomas, who is a friend of Karen Raach’s, saw her outcry for support on Facebook, and volunteered to coordinate the current fundraising efforts and PR with national equestrian media outlets. The following video is from her visit to Fletcher Street this past weekend:

The club is an approved 501C3 (EIN # 46-3515556) and donations (monetary, services and in-kind) are tax-deductible.

Funds need to be directed through their official 501C3 fundraising site, where you can view the video interview with Ellis which is very informative.

The lot clearing and stone base will be completed within the next week through the generosity of Aquilante Construction. The next step is to raise funds to buy supplies for the club to build their stalls, shelter and storage areas. During this season of giving, please consider donating to this worthy cause.

Please also show your support by liking the riding club through their Facebook page.

Mia Farley Sets Her Sights High for 2016

By on Dec 2, 2015 11:00 am -

With the recent naming of the 2016 Eventing 25/18 Training Lists, there are a lot of talented young riders who are ready to take the eventing world by storm. This winter, we’ll be spotlighting the E25 and E18 riders as they prepare for their training sessions with Leslie Law.

Mia Farley and Fernhill Fine Diamond at Galway Downs. Photo by Vanessa Hughes / Lady Photographic.

Mia Farley and Fernhill Fine Diamond at Galway Downs. Photo by Vanessa Hughes / Lady Photographic.

15-year-old Mia Farley has been on the ride of her life these past few years, most recently named to the Eventing 18 Training List for 2016, her third year on this list of talented young riders. Mia is not one to take things for granted, though, and looks forward to continuing her upward progress with her Irish mare, Fernhill Fine Diamond.

“I didn’t have (Fernhill Fine Diamond) at the time of the first training sessions last year,” Mia said. “So I was able to ride (Judy McSwain’s) Fleeceworks Cinco, who I really enjoyed. (Eventing 18 coach Leslie Law) really helped me, and he has also had a big impact on Fern and I this year.”

Fernhill Fine Diamond, a 7-year-old purchased earlier in 2015, has become Mia’s primary partner, culminating their first season together with a top 15 finish in a large CCI1* division at Galway Downs in October. They collected several top placings at the Preliminary level this year and also finished seventh in their first CCI1* together at Rebecca Farm in July.

“Leslie had told me that he hoped we would show some improvements with our leg yields and her dressage work after a clinic we did in August,” Mia said. “He was able to see us improving at Galway and was very pleased.”

As a member of the Eventing 18 squad, Mia has been appreciative of Leslie’s availability as a coach, even when he doesn’t live in the same area. “He is super supportive,” she explained. “Even though he only sees us a few times during the year, he always recommends that we email or call him with questions. He goes out of his way to help us.”

Mia hopes to continue building on Fern’s talent when Leslie returns to the West Coast in 2016. “Now that our dressage is beginning to improve, I’m hoping to do some more jumping this year,” she said. “Sometimes she can get a bit heavy, and the jumping lessons I’ve done with him before have helped.”

Mia trains with Ginnie Bryant on a regular basis and feels that her access to great training has really helped her and Fern’s relationship progress. Looking ahead to 2016, Mia has yet to nail down a final plan but would love to include Young Riders on that calendar.

“We’re thinking of either Young Riders or AECs,” she said. “I would love to also step up to Intermediate and conclude the season with the CCI2* at Galway. I think being named to the U18 list will really help me again this year with moving up and I feel very fortunate to have been named for 2016.”

5 Things You Don’t Want to Miss at the USEA Convention

By on Dec 2, 2015 9:15 am -
It's go time in Washington, D.C.! Photo by Mike Boening Photography/Creative Commons. It's go time in Washington, D.C.! Photo by Mike Boening Photography/Creative Commons.

The 2015 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention is here! Registration is open from noon-5 p.m. today at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., and the action kicks into full gear tomorrow with meetings, forums, seminars and demonstrations. Take a look at the full convention schedule here, and read on for five things you don’t want to miss.

1. Eventing Summit 2016-2026: This will be the USEA’s first Sport Summit meeting since 2007, and the association will seek to answer and discuss many of the critical questions that have emerged as eventing has evolved and undergone major changes in the last 10 to 15 years:

  • Who is to provide prize money for events: organizers, sponsors, USEA and/or USEF, outside contractors?
  • Where are the future officials, volunteers and organizers going to come from? 
  • Is there a better business model for organizers? 
  • Can events continue to offer classes for the lower level riders at the same time they offer FEI classes? 
  • Is the sport able to sustain a level of professionalism and providing a livelihood?
  • Where do the vast number of our members who are amateurs fit into this equation?
  • How do we make sure that amateur enjoyment and participation in the sport continues?
  • How do we help our professionals earn a decent living in this sport? 
  • Can prize money be attracted to the sport without doing so at the expense of the amateur riders? 
  • Are there ways to make the sport more marketable? 
  • In some areas some events are not filling and can barely break even. How can we help them? 
  • If the sport is to continue to grow and improve, how do we accommodate new organizers and venues?

The Sport Summit and Town Hall Meeting will be held from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Dec. 5. If you are unable to attend this year’s Convention, the USEA still wants to hear from you. Please send your questions and comments to [email protected]. The USEA Board of Governors will read all questions and comments and incorporate them into the Summit.

2. Hall of Fame Gala: New names are added into the USEA Hall of Fame every three years, and this year’s inductees are Rebecca Broussard, Mike Huber, Jacqueline Mars, Richard and Vita Thompson, Margaret Lindsley Warden, Jo Whitehouse, McKinlaigh, Molokai and Winsome Adante. Click here to read about all the inductees.

The new inductees will be honored at the Hall of Fame Gala, which starts with cocktails at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Tickets to the gala cost $105 and must be purchased separately in the Online Services portal.

3. Year-End Awards Luncheon: The USEA’s year-end awards are usually given out during the Saturday night festivities, but with this being a Hall of Fame induction year, the awards ceremony will take place as a luncheon from noon-2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Tickets cost $75 and are also purchased separately in the Online Services portal. Come out to cheer on your friends as they accept their awards!

4. Hot Topics: In addition to the current state of USEA membership and starters, which increased in 2015, several new divisions and levels will be discussed: the proposed DX Eventing and Beginner Novice Assistance Allowed divisions, plus a Modified level to “bridge the gap” between the Training and Preliminary Levels.

5. Area II Festivities: Area II is welcoming USEA members to the nation’s capital with a “Taste of D.C.” party for all on Friday, Dec. 4, from 7:30-10 p.m. There are also several different meetings for Area II members on Sunday, Dec. 6, including the Area II year-end awards luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m.

And that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. There are countless other seminars, demonstrations, meetings and forums to keep you busy at this year’s USEA Annual Meeting & Convention. Click here to see the full schedule. What are you planning to attend, EN?

The EN team has a large contingent going to the convention this year (me, Leslie, Maggie and Dave), and we look forward to chatting with you all. As always, be sure to follow along with Chinch’s shenanigans on EN’s Instagram. Our live coverage from the convention starts bright and early tomorrow morning. We hope to see you there!

USEA Convention Links: Website, Schedule, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Wednesday News and Notes from SmartPak

By on Dec 2, 2015 12:01 am -
Three Lakes cross country course. Photo courtesy of Jane Miller. Three Lakes cross country course. Photo courtesy of Jane Miller.

It’s always exciting to see the Florida horse trials prep for their January events. We only just now entered December, the only month on the calendar without any U.S. events, but the anticipation is killing me. While I won’t be headed to Florida myself, I love following the scores, checking out which horses are moving up and looking for rising stars.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Sigh. Nothing.

Entries just opened for a brand new event in Florida. Located halfway between Orlando and Ocala, Three Lakes Horse Trials will be holding BN through P divisions in mid-January and again in late February. With courses designed by Morgan Rowsell, Three Lakes hopes to provide confidence building courses for young horses. [Three Lakes Horse Trials]

USEA Convention starts today! The USEA Convention starts tomorrow in Washington, D.C., and things really kick into high gear on Thursday. Check out seminars, meetings, open forums, discussions and even a trade fair all at the Omni Shoreham Hotel and Resort in Washington, D.C. [USEA Convention Schedule]

In case you missed it, Eventing Nation’s own Jenni Autry polished off the Horse Radio Marathon. Listen in to Jenni and Leslie Wylie host Boyd, Dom and Jimmie Schramm, and Lainey in an hour of hilarity.  [Listen to Eventing Nation’s Horse Radio Hour]

Groom’s Spotlight: Hana Colman and Hello Sanctos. Scott Brash is on a roll in the show jumping world right now, and the person who keeps his yard running is Hana Colman. Though only 22, she’s been grooming for a few years, and is integral to keeping horses like Hello Sanctos and M’lady happy. Despite having had some good times when younger, Hana admits now that she’d rather be in bed early enough to be fresh for the horses the following day. [Groom Spotlight]

Alice and Fernhill Present accomplished their goal of completing Adelaide. With severe stomach pains sending her in and out of the hospital, Alice gritted her teeth and got the job done, finishing her fifth four star on Fernhill Present. While a missed route through the roping added time penalties, Alice showed true perseverance in completing with a good round. We wish her luck in her quest to finish all six four stars on the same horse. [We’ve Done It ]

SmartPak Product of the Day: I really want this blanket. Mostly because it’s in my colors. But also because it looks snazzy, and it is backed up by SmartPak’s 10 year guarantee. It doesn’t get much better than that, really. [SmartPak]

Stroller was a 14.1 pony who took the jumper world by storm and made it all the way to the Olympics, winning a team silver medal.

Tuesday Video from SpectraVET: ‘There’s An App for That’ Pine Top Helmet Cam

By on Dec 1, 2015 5:00 pm -

There’s an app for almost everything these days, but this is definitely one of our new favorites! Lindsay Barrack and her 16-year-old Appaloosa gelding appropriately named There’s An App for That were competing in the Open Training division at Pine Top’s Thanksgiving horse trials this weekend, where they finished 13th.

This rider’s creativity extends beyond a playful name for her spotted companion; she interspersed photos and additional video clips with the footage from her helmet cam to show multiple perspectives of their double-clear cross country round and complimented the visuals with a classic, familiar tune.

… Think she used an app to do all that?

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Virginia Horse Trials to Host First Intercollegiate Team Championship

By on Dec 1, 2015 3:00 pm -
The Clemson Intercollegiate Eventing Team with Buck Davidson. Photo by Olga Mohr Photography.

Go Collegiate Eventing! Here’s the Clemson Intercollegiate Eventing Team with Buck Davidson at a recent clinic. Photo by Olga Mohr Photography.

Exciting news for collegiate eventers! The inaugural USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Team Championship will take place at the Virginia Horse Trials on May 26-29, 2016.

Thirty-one colleges and universities with eventing teams or clubs have joined the USEA Intercollegiate Program since it started last year, with many of the schools fielding teams at Collegiate Team Challenges across the country.

Virginia Horse Trials hosted the first ever Collegiate Team Challenge in the U.S., with Chattahoochee Hills, Twin Rivers, ESDCTA New Jersey Horse Trials, University of New Hampshire Horse Trials, Poplar Place Farm and FENCE also hosting Collegiate Team Challenges.

“The Virginia Horse Trials have hosted challenges that include colleges and universities for a number of years.  First under the leadership of Brian and Penny Ross, and now under Andy Bowles,” USEA CEO Rob Burk said.

“As the birthplace of Intercollegiate Eventing Team Competition it only seemed fitting to award the inaugural USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Team Championship to this top class facility and Event.”

The May event at Virginia Horse Trials will offer Beginner Novice through Advanced/Intermediate, as well as CCI* and CIC2* divisions. All affiliated schools are encouraged to attend and compete for the title of Intercollegiate Champion.

“I am very honored to have been chosen as the inaugural USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Team Championship,” Andy Bowles, Virginia Horse Trials organizer, said. “As part of our ongoing commitment to team competitions, we will be adding a dedicated member of staff during the event to assist in the smooth running, from entries to results and the overall experience of the teams.”

Teams will be made up of three or four members, with four-rider teams having one drop score. Schools can send multiple teams, and teams can be made up of riders competing at different levels. A coefficient system will be used to account for differences in level difficulty.

Click here for the omnibus listing for the event. Collegiate eventers can click here to see if their school is a USEA University Affiliate. USEA collegiate leaderboards for all levels can be viewed at this link.

Are you a collegiate eventer and planning to compete in the inaugural USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Team Championship? Let us know in the comments below. Go Collegiate Eventing!

[Inaugural Intercollegiate Championship to be Hosted at Virginia Horse Trials in 2016]

#EventerProblems, Vol. 44: OTTB Edition

By on Dec 1, 2015 1:30 pm -

Nobody loves off-track thoroughbreds more than eventers. From the athleticism and heart to a gallop like no other, they’re the total package and the breed of choice for many of us in the sport.

But that doesn’t mean we aren’t allowed to give them a little affectionate ribbing every now and again! From over-achieving over fences to exhibiting surplus enthusiasm in the dressage ring, when #OTTB meets #EventerProblems, the results can be pretty entertaining. And, of course, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Here are a few that we recently spotted:

Do you think she cleared it? #Ottb #eventerproblems #chestnutmare #theresamonsterinthatoxer

A photo posted by Reagan Wiles (@rmw_eventing) on

God love ’em. For all our OTTB enthusiasts out there who are on Instagram, I highly recommend checking out the #OTTB hashtag. If you thought you loved the breed before, you’ll love them even harder after clicking through this gallery of OTTBs being just plain awesome.

Of course, #EventerProblems are equal opportunity. Here’s the latest batch of your reader-submitted struggles.

Sitting on a 16.3 hand horse at the walk, how does mud splash that high?! #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Genevieve Abbiss (@p53angel) on

I think it might’ve been time for new laces….. #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Kate Drake (@katedrakevt) on

It’s a sad day here today! #wintertime #eventerproblems #wisconsinite

A photo posted by Taylor Rieck (@trieckx) on

Here’s the definitive answer to the question of whether horses snore… #ottb #eventerproblems #sleepypony

A video posted by Erica Spradling (@xbetterbesocialx) on

When you look down at your leg and have zero idea when (or how) you got that bruise… #farmlife #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Area 8 Eventer (@saragrace1290) on

Getting Intouch with my transcendentalist side #EventerProblems #pinetop #honorsenglish3 #mrsstewart #usea

A photo posted by Grace Clayton (@gmclayton) on

What horses do in Florida in the winter #eventing #eventerproblems #horsesofinstagram #chestnutmare #splishsplash

A video posted by Marjory Berkache (@lechevalfrancais) on

Untitled

If you missed them: Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43.

Got #EventerProblems? Tag them on social for inclusion in a future edition!

Go Eventing!

USEA Membership, Number of Competitors Trending Up in 2015

By on Dec 1, 2015 11:15 am -
Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino at the 2015 American Eventing Championships. Photo by Leslie Wylie. Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino at the 2015 American Eventing Championships. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The USEA has released its 2015 membership and starter statistics ahead of this week’s Annual Meeting and Convention in Washington, D.C. The numbers shows about a 4 percent increase in membership this year, with about an 8 percent increase in the number of riders who competed in a recognized USEA event in 2015.

The current number of USEA members — 12,139 — is the highest total since the Great Recession hit the U.S. in 2008, as well as one of the top 10 highest totals since the association’s establishment in 1959.

Graphic via the USEA

Graphic via the USEA

“With the economic recession the USEA saw a loss of members, but we are encouraged to see that our membership numbers are approaching pre-recession levels,” USEA CEO Jo Whitehouse said.

“The interest in the sport is much larger than the membership numbers alone indicate. With over 60,000 North American followers of U.S. Eventing through social media channels like Facebook, there is a significant amount of growth still possible for the sport.”

The number of USEA members competing in recognized competitions rose for a third straight year, which makes 2015 the third-highest year by number of starters in the association’s history. The years with the highest number of starters were 2006 (44,324 starters) and 2007 (45,667 starters) prior to the Great Recession.

Graphic via the USEA

Graphic via the USEA

More recognized competitions were also held in 2015 than in the previous two years, with organizers hosting 237 events, a slight increase from 228 and 233 events.

“The growth in USEA starters and competitions in 2015 is a positive sign, but we also recognize the challenges faced by competition organizers and venues in hosting events,” USEA COO Rob Burk said.

“We must continue to work on solidifying the future of all of our competition venues. We know we have work to do when we see venues that have fostered the growth of our riders at all levels closing to business.”

USEA President Diane Pitts said these numbers will be discussed during the Eventing 2016-2026 Summit and Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, Dec. 5. Click here to see full schedule for this year’s USEA Annual Meeting and Convention.

It’s definitely going to be a buzzing convention, with multiple big topics on tap. In adding to the Eventing 2016-2026 Summit, the proposed DX Eventing and Beginner Novice Assistance Allowed divisions will also be discussed, plus a Modified level to “bridge the gap” between the Training and Preliminary Levels.

Click here for EN’s guide to the USEA Convention, and we hope to see you in Washington, D.C. later this week. Are you attending the convention? What questions do you plan to ask in regards to this 2015 data, as well as the proposed new additions to U.S. eventing?

[U.S. Eventing Competition and Member Numbers Continue Upward Trend in 2015]

Clark and Jess Montgomery Welcome Baby Vivian to the World

By on Dec 1, 2015 9:15 am -
Photos via Facebook

Photos via Facebook

Congratulations are in order for Clark and Jess Montgomery! Jess gave birth to their first child, a girl named Vivian Graves Montgomery, today. Both mom and baby (and dad!) are doing well.

It’s been a big year for Clark and Jess — three major international wins aboard Loughan Glen, including a Blenheim CCI3* victory, and now the birth of their first child.

Please join us in congratulating the happy new parents!