Area III Announces Inaugural USEA EA21 Prep Clinic

November 7–8, 2026 | Overlook Farm South | Ocala, Florida


Area III Young Riders is excited to announce the inaugural Area III EA21 Prep Clinic, a new educational opportunity designed to prepare Area III Young Riders for the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 (EA21) Program.

Modeled after the USEA EA21 Regional Clinics, this two-day clinic offers riders the opportunity to experience the format and expectations of the national program while receiving instruction from top professionals and participating in educational sessions focused on developing the complete event athlete.

Hosted at Overlook Farm South in Ocala, Florida, the clinic combines mounted instruction with horsemanship education to help riders continue building the skills needed to succeed in eventing.


Applications are now open!

➡️ Apply Here


Clinic Schedule

Saturday

Morning

  • Dressage sessions (2 riders per session)

Afternoon

  • Lunch

  • Horse Management with Max Corcoran

  • Course Building with Chris Barnard

Sunday

Morning

  • Show Jumping (4 riders per group)

Afternoon

  • Lunch

  • Recap and Wrap-Up Discussion

Cost

Similar to the USEA EA21 Clinic, the Area III Young Rider Program will cover the cost of the clinic.

Stabling has been generously donated by Overlook Farm.

Participants are responsible for:

  • Shavings

  • Lodging

  • Transportation

  • Meals outside of the scheduled clinic lunches

Application Qualifications & Requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be a current member of both the USEA Area III Young Rider Program and the USEA.

    • If you are not a member of the Area III Young Rider Program, you may join by logging into your USEA online member dashboardm/login and adding Young Riders to your Area Program membership.

  • Horses must be fully immunized with a current Coggins.

  • Applicants must have completed 4 MERs at the Novice level or above.

  • Applicants will be reviewed and selected by the Area III Selectors.

How to Obtain a Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) for Novice

An MER is obtained by completing a USEA-recognized horse trial with the following requirements:

  • Not more than 45 penalty points in the dressage test.

  • No jumping penalties at obstacles on the cross-country test and no more than 75 seconds (30 penalty points) exceeding the optimum time.

  • Not more than 16 penalties at obstacles in the show jumping test.

  • Riders receiving 25 penalty points for Dangerous Riding will not achieve a national qualifying result.

Application Deadline

ATTENTION!

Complete the application, including all uploaded documents, no later than August 30, 2026.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Apply Today.

Questions?

Please contact:

Joanne Morse
Area III Young Rider Coordinator

📧 area3youngriders@gmail.com

Important Dates

Applications Open: August 7, 2026
Applications Close: August 30, 2026
Athletes Selected: By September 7, 2026
Athletes Announced: After September 7, 2026
EA 21 Prep Clinic: November 7–8, 2026

Helpful Documents


Meet the Area III EA21 Prep Clinic Coaches & Educators

Sara Kozumplik

Sara Kozumplik is an active event and show jumping rider and trainer based out of Overlook Farm located in Berryville, Virginia, and Ocala, Florida. Sara has a positive approach to teaching with a solid foundation that has produced riders from the lowest levels all the way up to the 4-star level.

She also has a passion for giving back to the sport and is always looking for new ways to give riders opportunities while encouraging enthusiastic equestrians to find ways to give back. She is very active with Strides for Equality and the Ever So Sweet Camps held at Overlook Farm each year.

Ashley Johnson

Ashley Johnson is an active event rider and trainer located in Ocala, Florida. Ashley is a Level V ECP Instructor as well as a USEF "S" Judge and Level 1 FEI Eventing Judge.

She holds a Master of Liberal Arts degree in Psychology, with a focus on Performance Psychology, through the Harvard University Extension School. She also received a Master of Science in Human Performance through the University of Florida and is currently enrolled in their Ph.D. program.

Ashley's knowledge of psychology gives her a unique insight into the rider's mind that allows her to help riders work through many struggles in an analytical way.

Ashley served as the Area III Young Rider Coach for four years and most recently has remained involved as Acting Chef d'Équipe and Team Psychologist for the past two years.

Max Corcoran

Max is a highly respected horsewoman, educator, and advocate for excellence in equine care and horsemanship. With a career spanning more than three decades, Max has built an unparalleled reputation as one of the leading professionals in the sport of eventing.

For many years, Max served as head groom and barn manager for the O’Connor Event Team, traveling to the highest levels of international competition, including Olympic Games, World Championships, and major championships around the world. Her expertise in horse care, conditioning, and competition management has made her a trusted resource among riders, owners, and professionals throughout the equestrian community.

Today, Max continues to share her knowledge as a clinician, stable manager, consultant, and event professional. She is passionate about education, horse welfare, and elevating the role of the professional groom within the sport. Based in Ocala, Florida, Max remains an influential voice in eventing and a dedicated advocate for the horses and people who make the sport possible.

Chris Barnard

Chris is an FEI Level 2 Jumper Course Designer and USEF “R”-licensed show jumping course designer known for creating thoughtful, innovative, and technically challenging courses at some of the most prestigious equestrian competitions in North America.

With a career spanning both show jumping and eventing, Barnard has designed courses for top FEI and national events across the United States, including Rebecca Farm CCI4*-L, Morven Park CCI4*-L, Tryon International Fall CCI4*-S, Stable View CCI4*-S, Great Meadow International, The Fork, Red Hills, Woodside, and many others. He has also served as course designer for the FEI North American Young Rider Championships in 2016, 2017, and 2018, as well as the 2017 USEA American Eventing Championships.

Originally from England and now a U.S. citizen, Barnard is based in Reddick, Florida, with his wife, international show jumper Justine Dutton. In addition to course design, he designs and builds a premium line of custom aluminum show jumps used by riders and venues across the equestrian industry.

Area III Council Announcement: Training Grant for Alabama & Mississippi Trainers

Area III Council Announcement: Training Grant for Alabama & Mississippi Trainers

For Alabama & Mississippi Trainers

Alabama and Mississippi are proud parts of USEA Area III 💙, and the Area III Council recognizes that trainers in these states often have fewer recognized competition opportunities close to home. To support both professional development and the continued growth of riders and programs, Area III is excited to offer a special Ocala-based training grant.

The USEA Area III Council will award two trainers a two-week immersive training, instruction, and competition experience in Ocala, Florida, taking place March 2–15, 2026. This opportunity is designed not only to support participating trainers, but also to ensure that valuable knowledge and experience are brought back to their students and local eventing communities.

Program Goals

This grant is intended to:

  • Support trainer professional development and continuing education

  • Expand training and competition experience in a premier eventing environment

  • Strengthen local programs by passing on skills, insights, and experience to riders

Grant Includes (2 Weeks):

  • Training with top professionals Zach Brandt or Buck Davidson

  • Six lessons per trainer (three per week)

  • Cross-country schooling and on-site course access

  • Ocala Winter II competition entry (donated by FHP), Coaching provided

  • Rough board for one horse

  • Accommodations for the duration of the program

Trainer Responsibilities:

  • Transportation to and from Ocala

  • Horse transportation

  • Meals for trainer and their horse

  • Daily horse care during the program

How to Apply

Download your application here!

Please email your application to:
Betsy Ball – redbudequestrian@gmail.com

Application Deadline: February 18
Selections Announced: February 20 by the Area III Council

📣 This opportunity is limited to two trainers and offers an exceptional hands-on experience at one of the country’s leading eventing destinations. We look forward to supporting your growth—and the continued success of your riders—through this exciting program.

Area III Council Kicks Off 2026 with Strategic Planning, Goals, and Year-End Awards Updates

Dear Area III Members,

Area III kicked off the year with its Strategic Planning Meeting for 2026, where the Council reviewed the past season and began setting priorities for the year ahead. These discussions focused on strengthening our sport, better serving our members, and supporting the people and programs.

As the largest USEA Area in the country, with over 11,000+ starters annually, Area III has a responsibility to lead with transparency, inclusivity, and thoughtful planning. With that in mind, the Council unanimously approved four guiding goals for 2026:

  1. Improving communication and transparency across the area

  2. Supporting organizers and volunteers whose dedication makes our events possible

  3. Expanding growth and development opportunities for riders at all levels, from Starter through Advanced

  4. Creating scholarship opportunities to improve access to training and competition, particularly for youth, rural riders, and developing trainers

2026 Year-End Awards Program Updates
In alignment with these goals, the Council has approved updates to the Area III Year End Awards Program for the 2026 competition year (December 1, 2025 – November 30, 2026):

  • The program is a standalone Area III program administered solely by the Area III Council

  • Opt-in is required for all horse-and-rider combinations via: Opt-In Form (Please fill out form for participation by October 16th. 

  • A minimum of four (4) volunteer hours at USEA-recognized Area III events is required for awards eligibility

  • Riders unable to meet the volunteer requirement may choose a $35 opt-out option, with funds reinvested into Area III events and initiatives needed to continue running recognized shows. We strongly encourage everyone to volunteer. Those that have not met their 4 hour volunteer hour requirement by November 30th will receive notice with opt-out option invoice.

This update is designed to ensure clarity, fairness, and sustainability while recognizing the volunteers who make our competitions and awards possible. Members are encouraged to review the full 2026 Area III Year End Awards Rules on Area3.org for complete eligibility, scoring, and opt-in details.

Congratulations on 2024 and 2025 Leaderboard Achievements
On behalf of the USEA Area III Council, we want to congratulate all riders who earned Area III Leaderboard recognition during the 2024 and/or 2025 seasons. Your dedication, consistency, and competitive spirit truly represent the best of eventing, and we are proud to recognize your accomplishments.

We also want to sincerely thank you for your patience. Riders who did not receive their 2024 ribbons will be sent those ribbons, along with all ribbons for the 2025 season. This message serves as our official congratulations for both years, ensuring that all achievements are valued and recognized.

Looking Ahead

The Area III Council is excited for what lies ahead in 2026. With your continued participation, support, and feedback, we will continue to grow our sport, strengthen our community, and provide meaningful opportunities for riders, trainers, organizers, and volunteers alike.

Together, we are building a strong future for Area III and for the sport of eventing.

The USEA Area III Council


Meet Your Area III Council Here

Congratulations to our Champions!

It was truly a fun-filled 2025 Area III Championships weekend at Ocala Summer I Horse Trials! Area III sends our congratulations to everyone who competed, our winning riders and horses, and all supporters that helped these pairs succeed. Thanks for the memories - we can’t wait until next time! And the winners are (drum roll please)…

Intermediate - Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis and Splash Dance

Preliminary - Kyle Carter and Reddy For Raine

Modified - Cindy Rawson and Fourfields Classek

Junior Training Rider - Kaitlyn Cobey and Redfield Need For Speed

Senior Training Rider - Emily Dender and Starspangled

Training Horse - Candace Elizabeth Bell and Shmick

Junior Novice Rider- Penelope Young and Cedric

Novice Horse - Elliott Timmons and Pertinacious Tiz

Senior Novice Rider- Margaret Schneck and Islandwood Border Patrol

Beginner Novice Horse- Merrell Waggoner and Big Bear's Coeur D'un Aigle

Junior Beginner Novice Rider- Raegan Hornfeck and Legendary Spots

Senior Beginner Novice Rider - Becky Harris and Cassouleto

Starter Rider - Cathy Rotola and BKP Nick Of Time

Enjoy the photos below from Victoria DeMore Photography.

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