Photo courtesy of Hannah Maloney / USEA.
Welcome to Area VIII, Tennessee! Some changes are coming to the USEA Area map: beginning with the 2026 competition season, Tennessee will officially join Area VIII, departing its longtime home in Area III. The shift, spearheaded by eventing advocates like Cathy Wieschhoff and supported by organizers such as Bill Graves of River Glen Horse Trials, reflects what many grassroots riders and organizers have felt for years: that Tennessee’s geography, eventing style, and rider base align more naturally with its northern neighbors. The move opens new doors for eventers in the region, including expanded Young Rider opportunities, the potential for Area Championships at additional venues like River Glen, which can host levels up to Intermediate, and a calendar that aligns with the interests of those in Tennessee and beyond. You can read more on this development here.
U.S. Weekend Events
The Event at TerraNova (FL): [Website] [Entries/Times] [Scores] [Live Stream] [Volunteer]
Ram Tap Classic Three-Day & H.T. (CA): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scores] [Volunteer]
News & Reading
The equestrian community has come together in a powerful show of support for UK rider and trainer Catherine Robinson, who was left permanently blind after a young horse struck her in the face while lunging. Despite the traumatic accident, which caused extensive facial fractures and irreparable damage to her optic nerves, Catherine’s first instinct upon waking in the hospital was to dream big: “I’m going to go to the Paralympics.” A fundraiser set up by her “right-hand woman,” Melissa Stone, has already raised over £90,000 to support her recovery and rehabilitation. You can read the full story and donate here.
The 2025 Monart Sale, which features some top-quality and purpose-bred three-year-old horses each year, is in the books — and the top seller is heading to the U.S.! Joe Pagan, founder of Kentucky Equine Research, purchased MBF Santuro. Bred by MBF Sporthorses and boasting bloodlines by L’Extreme BH (a Canturo son) out of a Casall mare, MBF Santuro impressed with his conformation and movement. He’ll stay in Ireland to be started before heading stateside next summer to begin his eventing career (and Joe is still deciding on which rider will start and produce the horse, so we’ll be waiting eagerly to find out!). With a 73% clearance rate and international buyers spanning from Argentina to Sweden, Monart reported strong demand and rising average prices, marking another successful edition of the all-three-year-old auction. You can view the full sale results here — and don’t forget that the Goresbridge ‘Go For Gold’ Sale kicks off today at 3 p.m. GMT / 10:00 a.m. EST — you can register to bid and view the auction here.
After a devastating January pipe burst flooded the Ontario Veterinary College’s Large Animal Hospital, the equine community responded with extraordinary speed and generosity. The only 24/7 equine surgical facility in Ontario was forced to shut down its operating and recovery suites, but staff set up an emergency facility within 36 hours, performing their first surgery just three days later. Thanks to community support and over $130,000 in donations (and counting), the crisis became a catalyst for long-overdue renovations. One operating room is already back in action, with another reopening soon. You can read the full story on the community united here.
Video Break
Feeling a little out of alignment after a weekend in the saddle? Or maybe you feel like your horse isn’t as flexible as you’d like? This week’s Ask an Expert guest, Dr. Jillian Johnson DC, AVCA, knows the feeling – literally. As a chiropractor who specializes in equestrians and their mounts, she’s here to share how proper alignment, posture, and body awareness can make a world of difference in your ride as well as your everyday life. From stiff hips to sore backs, we’re cracking open all things chiropractic (pun intended).
Dr. Jillian has a passion for helping animals and their people, with a special interest in performance optimization in competition animals. With aspirations of being an animal chiropractor since she was 9 years old, she was lucky enough to find her purpose young. She’s spent her life honing her skills and working towards building a place that connected human and animal wellness to optimize teamwork. Dr. Jillian has a B.S from Texas A&M University, Chiropractic Physician Doctorate, and is certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. In 2016, she opened Farmhouse Chiropractic, a busy and thriving practice located in Ocala, Florida.
