Happy 2025 from the Area III Council

While 2024 saw difficult losses in the Area III Council, we begin 2025 with renewed energy and pride in the new team. Please welcome Area III’s newly elected Max Corcoran as Area Chair, Tracy Olesh as Area Treasurer, Debbie MacConnel as the Adult Riders Coordinator, and Lauren Nicholson as our USEA BoG Area Representative. Also joining the Advisory Council for Area III are Grace Pignatelli as our Interscholastic Eventing League Coordinator and Amber Lee Clark as our Aiken representative. The council also has numerous dedicated continuing members, and we thank each, old and new, for their service! Find the full council roster here. Happy New Year!

Hooray for our 2024 top volunteers!

In 2024, 503 volunteers logged 10,892 volunteer hours at 49 events in Area III. Thanks to every single one of you for your dedication and love for the sport! And now, your 2024 top volunteer…(drumroll please)…Catherine Hale! <3

Make a point to show kindness to all volunteers at all events in the new season, and especially these standouts! Our top 25 volunteer heroes for 2024 are:

1               Hale, Catherine

2               Buell, Jerry       

3               Buell, Lynne    

4               Bird, Diane                         

5               Farrow, Karin

6               Bird, Art

7               P. Muramatsu, Masae

8               Fraley, Barb

9               Eakle, Darlene

10            Steele, Cheryl

11            Lee, Carol

12            Mumme, Karen

13            Schall, Scarlett

14            Eakle, Jeffrey

15            Lee, Virginia

16            Paulk, Pam

17            Glaccum, Bambi

18            Smith, Cynthia

19            Diamond, Beth

20            Bandrofchak, John

21            Murray-Hogrefe, Nancy

22            Frable, Dawn

23            Kaplan, Suzanne

24            Hogan, Laurie

25            Marsh, Karla   

Good luck to everyone at the 2024 AEC!

AEC 2024 is underway! Among the many Area III riders competing this year, we have quite a few Adult Rider teams to root for! Follow along with the livestream here, and keep up with the latest results here on Startbox.

One Preliminary team: The Chardoneighs - Erin Wages (Cooley One Too Many), Brooke Kahl (Nata Montada SCF), Ashley Green (HSH Phoenix), and Lily Barlow (Jaguar My)

One Modified team: Sunshine in the Bluegrass - Cameron Dean (Hidden Storm), Kyla Tovar (Warren (Kilcoltrim Jacko), Jennifer Helgren (Del Rio), and Kristin Osley (King of Beer)

Three Training teams:

High Speed Hive - Dayna Freeman (Divine Reason), Marisa Shulman (Samurai Sam), Jesse Kirchhoff (Wings of a Dove), and April Hays (Anteros HSH)

May the Horse be With You - Debbie MacConnel (Quarantine Factor), Brie Murray (Fernhill Ranga Tanga), Suzanne Hillhouse (Severance Pay), and Anna Rose Hutcheson (F for Fortune)

Whiskies and Whinnies - Molly Peavy (Clearly It's Dublin), Samantha Parker (Give Romance a Chance, Tonya Cummins Amato (Get Smart), and Javier Gamboa (Legend Has It)

Lily Barlow (Spiderman) is riding on the mixed-area team, Trot-tastic

Three Novice teams:

Kick On – Carla Jimmerson (BDF Tag You're It), Alexis Shrum (Anchorman), and Erica Addison (Full Battle Rattle), plus Hannah O'Brien (Crazed) from Area II.

Southern Spurs - Margaret Schneck (Islandwood Border Patrol), Tiffany Stewart (Excel Star Briarhill Native), Samantha Erwin (Tonalistic), and Barbara Brogan (Red Dirt Racer)

Life in the Fast Lane - Becky Crockett Stengel (Northern Sky), Susan Faulkner (HelloHello), Stephanie Watko (Brinley Gold), and Ashley Allison (Sophie's Story)

One Beginner Novice team: The Neigh Slayers - William Barclay (FE Violet Crumble), Ali Martinez (Codename Toby), Eden Miller (Cupido T), and Beverly Britton (Chesterfield Dauntless)

Cynthia (Cindi) Cauffman has passed away

With sadness, we share the passing of Cynthia (Cindi) Cauffman, of Reddick, Florida.  Originally from the northeast, Cindi moved to the Ocala area in 2019, where she competed through training level and volunteered extensively at Majestic Oaks, Rocking Horse and Ocala. Always willing to share her love of horses and equestrian sports, along with her energy and leadership skills, Cindi had been elected to serve as the chair of the Area III council. Unfortunately, she was never able to step into this role. Cindi will be missed by her family and those in the Ocala equestrian community. Updates on memorial arrangements will be posted when received.

Area III Young Riders Program Seeking Selectors

You can make a difference in a young rider’s life! Selectors for the Young Riders Program are responsible for observing and ranking candidates for the Young Riders Eventing Championship teams and may also participate in teaching clinics and camps to Area III Young Riders. Please see this document for a full description of selector responsibilities.

Resumes should be sent to usea.area3.gmail.com, and will be accepted until June 15, 2024. The Area III Council will make final decisions for the three open selector positions.

Area III is Recruiting a New Adult Rider Coordinator

The Area III Council is seeking to fill the position of Adult Rider Coordinator for the December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2027 term. Upon selection, the Coordinator-elect will begin learning and working with current volunteers to foster a smooth transition. Please see this document for a complete description of the position duties.

Any adult living in Area III who is a member of USEA may apply. If interested, please self-nominate by emailing usea.area3@gmail.com. Your email should include your contact information and a short background including any experience supporting the position responsibilities. Nominations will be accepted until June 30, 2024. The Area III Council will review and vote on applicants no later than July 31, 2024. (NOTE: If you replied in response to the Adult Rider email recruitment you do not need to re-send.)

The council will consider self-nominations from a single individual or co-coordinators. Co-coordinators will closely work together presenting a single, seamless program to the area members. Co-coordinators will participate in all Area III Council discussions and vote as a single “Adult Riders” vote.