One Big Thing: USEA Appreciation Awards Open for Nominations
Recognizing outstanding individuals is one of the many ways we can strengthen the bonds within our community and celebrate the spirit of eventing. As the season progresses, the US Eventing Association reminds its members that nominations for the USEA Appreciation Awards may be submitted at any time throughout the year to honor the individuals who make our sport possible.
The USEA encourages all members of the eventing community to take a moment to recognize those who go above and beyond in service to the sport by nominating them for an appreciation award — whether it’s a standout volunteer, a dedicated course builder, a committed instructor, or an inspired owner.
If you encounter someone at a competition, educational activity, or in the community whose efforts exemplify excellence, sportsmanship and service, you are encouraged to submit their name for consideration.
Full award descriptions can be found on the USEA Appreciation Awards page — [click here to submit a nomination] before the deadline on October 28th.
All awards will be distributed at the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention which takes place December 11-13, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia.
USEA Appreciation Awards Open for Nomination:
- Above and Beyond Event Personnel Award: This award goes to an event personnel member who devotes themselves behind the scenes and goes above and beyond for our sport.
- Amateur Impact Award: This award is given to an adult amateur who embodies a dedication to the sport of eventing and shares outstanding sportsmanship.
- As You Like It Owners Award: The As You Like It Owners award is presented in recognition of an owner who has supported their horses and, by extension, the riders of their horses, and has enabled them to have not only the best care but have also provided competitive opportunities that would otherwise be impossible to achieve. Additionally, the winner must have offered support “above and beyond” that described above which has benefitted the sport of eventing.
- Cornerstone Instructors Awards: The Cornerstone Instructors Award honors the lower-level instructor who has inspired riders in the sport of eventing with their encouragement and long-term dedication to teaching basic horsemanship skills.
- Courtney C. Reeves Memorial Trophy: The Courtney C. Reeves Memorial Trophy is awarded to the young individual who exemplifies sportsmanship, the spirit of the sport, and who gives back to the sport.
- Eventing Coaches Program Sue Hershey Award: The Sue Hershey Award honors an ECP-certified instructor who exemplifies the values, commitment, and character of the ECP program and who has inspired students in the sport of eventing, with their instruction, encouragement, and long-term dedication to teaching correct horsemanship and stable management skills. Sue Hershey dedicated over 20 years to the development and continued progression of the Instructors’ Certification Program.
- Ironmaster Trophy: The Ironmaster Trophy is presented to the individual that exemplifies fortitude and courage. Open to anyone associated with the sport: volunteer, spectator, official, trainer, competitor, groom, or groundskeeper.
- Liz Cochran Memorial Groom’s Award: The purpose of the Liz Cochran Memorial Groom’s Award is to recognize the vital role played by the grooms who work countless hours behind-the-scenes in their program to make sure their horses and teams are healthy, happy, and poised for success.
- Freelance Groom’s Award: Freelance Groom of the Year is an award to celebrate a freelance groom who has provided exceptional care of USEA horses and riders. This award acknowledges a freelance groom who has gone above and beyond to support many riders achieve their competition goals and made a lasting impact on the sport.
- Vintage Cup: The Vintage Cup is awarded to members 60 years of age and over who are competing at any level in recognized USEA competitions and who show good sportsmanship.
- Neil Ayer Course Designers’ Award: Presented during the 2026 Hall of Fame, the Neil Ayer Course Designers’ Award is presented to a cross-country course designer in recognition of their innovation and vision.
- Posthole Digger Award: Presented during the 2026 Hall of Fame, the Posthole Digger Award is presented to a builder who has exhibited exceptional ability and dedication to the sport through their work.
Major International Events This Weekend
Strzegom CCI4*-L (POL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream]
Strömsholm International Eventing CCI4*-S (SWE): [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]
The Maryland International + HT CCI4*-S (MD): [Website] [VIP Tickets] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
US Events This Weekend
Twin Rivers Summer HT (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Bouckaert Equestrian HT (GA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Woodloch Midsommer CT & YEH Qualifying Event (MN): [Website] [Entries] [Scoring]
Inavale Farm HT (OR): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Larkin Hill HT (NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Full Moon Farm’s Aloha HT & YEH Qualifier (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Other Links and Reading
Sponsor Corner: Stable View
Thanks to Griffinbrook, every rider at the Stable View Summer Horse Trials will receive a Griffinbrook Discount Card in their entry packet!
🎉 Every card is a winner:
✔️ 15% OFF any Griffinbrook item
♠️ Ace of any suit = 30% OFF
🐴 Jokers = FREE horse treats
Be sure to check your card and see what you’ve won. Thank you to Griffinbrook for supporting our competitors and helping make the Stable View Summer Horse Trials even more rewarding!
Training Tip of the Day
Every interaction between you and your horse is a lesson, according to Buck Brannaman — listen here to learn what one ritual he does every time he walks into a pen:
Go Eventing
Jessica Phoenix’s Rio Olympics partner A Little Romance has a little baby on the ground!
