In Memory -

With sadness we share the passing of JJ Johnson, of Lynnville, Tennessee.  For many years, J.J. was an active supporter of Eventing throughout Area III and many other venues acoss the United States, usually in the role of Technical Delegate or Cross-Country Control.  JJ was also the Organizer for the Middle Tennessee Pony Club Horse Trials for several years. In the early 2000s, J.J. served as the Area III Chair for six years.  Her knowledge and energy will be missed by all who were fortunate to have known her.  

Service for J.J. will be Tuesday, June 27th at 11:00 followed by a reception. Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, 9090 Hwy 100, Nashville TN.

The reception for J.J. following her service will be held at the Percy Warner Equestrian Center, 2:00 on June 27th. This will be a “TAILGATE,” so roll out your best recipes to share. MTPC hosting with tables, chairs & flowers. J.J.’s daughter attending, so bring stories!

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Middle Tennessee Pony Club; c/o Peppy Butler, Treasurer; 5892 Natchez Trace Road, Franklin, TN 37064-9212. A jump will be built and dedicated to J.J. with the funds received. Also, the MTPC will host a reception, in J.J.’s honor, the evening of October 7th during the horse trials.

Upcoming Young Rider Events in Area III

There are two events around the corner to benefit the Area III Young Riders!

First, please join us for the Spring Clinic April 15th - 16th at Sandy Hills Farm in Aiken, SC.  Our clinicians are Allison Springer and Sarah Dunkerton Sizemore, and all three phases of eventing will be covered during this clinic.  This clinic is open to ALL riders - not just Young Riders.  Instead of doing taxes on tax day come ride with two wonderful clinicians and enjoy a beautiful facility.  We will have much more fun than people doing their taxes!

Second, summer camp is going to be a fun one!  ALL USEA riders are welcome - this is not just for Young Riders, but they will be given priority for space. Our instructors are Ashley Johnson and Lauren Eckardt, and (if numbers warrant) Jonathan Holling will join as our third.  What a great line up!  Four days of instruction, five bags of shaving included in your entry, and lunch and snacks provided - all for the bargain price of $850.  Come play with us at Majestic Oaks in FL June 8 -11th. 

Go to the Young Riders Program page for registration info.

Young Riders Clinic - February 20, 2023

Happy New Year, Area III! The Young Riders program is ready to kick off the season on February 20 with a clinic at Sweet Dixie South in Reddick, FL. Area III Coach Ashley Johnson will be teaching cross country lessons, while Area III Selector Hilda Donahue will be teaching dressage and cavaletti work. Don't miss this opportunity to work with these fantastic instructors at a beautiful facility. To reserve your spot, follow this link to the Young Riders webpage to find all of the details. The deadline to register is February 10. $250 for Young Rider program members, $300 for non-members.


Top 25 Volunteers for 2022

Congratulations and thousand thank yous to Dick Owen, who is our top Area III volunteer for 2022! In total, 484 of our amazing Area III volunteers logged 10,107 hours at 47 recognized events into the Eventing Volunteers app this year. Our gratitude cannot be overstated. When you see these folks around during the 2023 season, please let them know how much you appreciate them. Our top 25 super-volunteers are:

  1. Owen, Dick (FL)          

  2. Buell, Jerry (FL)          

  3. Smith, Cynthia (GA)   

  4. Slagle, David (TN)       

  5. Bird, Diane (SC)          

  6. Buell, Lynne (FL)         

  7. Farrow, Karin (MA)    

  8. Bird, Art (SC)  

  9. p. muramatsu, masae (FL)     

  10. Fraley, Barb (FL)         

  11. Frosch, Catherine Hale (FL)

  12. Allison, Gail (FL)         

  13. Courtney, Debby (FL) 

  14. Holmes, Janice (SC)    

  15. Steele, Cheryl (FL)      

  16. Bandrofchak, John (GA)         

  17. Quarles, Mary (SC)     

  18. Mumme, Karen (FL)   

  19. Joens, Beth (FL)          

  20. Dillon, Janet (SC)        

  21. Marsh, Karla (FL)        

  22. Dillon, Bub (SC)          

  23. Shumpert, Jeana (SC) 

  24. Glaccum, Bambi (PA)

  25. Ryan, Shelley (KY)

USEA Area III Seeks Nominations for Chairperson

Area III is seeking nominations for Area Chair.  Each USEA Area has an Area Chairperson who serves for a three‐year period. 

  • The Area Council will review and vote on nominations.  The council approved nominee becomes the Chair-Elect and will serve as the Assistant Area Chair until December 2023.  In December 2023, and with approval of the USEA Board of Governors, the Chair-Elect becomes the Area Chair for the period December 2023 – December 2026.  This is a volunteer position.  

  • Previous experience as an eventing official, organizer, USEA committee member or Area Council member is preferred.

  • The Area Chair represents the Area during USEA meetings, convention and conference calls; disseminates and facilitates communication between Area Organizers, Area Council members and the USEA; leads the scheduling and conflict resolution with regards to the Area’s competition calendar; oversees and approves Area programs and financials; appoints individuals to serve on the Area Council; schedules/chairs Area Council meetings, the annual Area Meeting, and Area Organizers meeting.  

To nominate a candidate, first secure the permission from the person to be nominated. Submit nominations to diana.lewis0@gmail.com, and include the information below. 

1) Name 

2) Address, and phone numbers 

3) Brief description of occupation/expertise (knowledge, skills, and abilities) 

4) Brief description of equestrian history 

Nominations will be accepted until July 20, 2022.  Questions may be directed to the Nominating Committee: Emily Holmes, Cyndi Kurth, or Cindy Phillips. See the Area III representatives contacts list for contact information.

Area III Young Riders Selected for the EA21 Program

Area III congratulates Solomon Edwards, Rory Frangos, Tessa Geven, and Bree Robinette for being chosen to participate in the East Coast EA21 camp at Stable View, and Maya Clarkson for being chosen for the Central Area Holly Hill camp! Congratulations also go to Lea Kilpatrick and Jules Fanello for making the waitlist. Way to go Area III Young Riders!

The new EA21 program targets any Young Rider 21 years or younger who has the desire and competitiveness to continue in the sport of eventing at the upper levels. It focuses on riding ability as well as good sportsmanship and the ability to be a "team player," while demonstrating stable management, horse welfare, and general veterinary knowledge. The YR must be competing at Training level or higher with a minimum of 4 MERs at Training level to apply for EA21. The two East coast camps at Stable View and Morven Park are scheduled for July 25th - 26th. Area III had fourteen applicants for the Stable View camp this year. We can’t wait to see the results!

Congratulations to the Area III champions!

Photo by Christine Davis

Many thanks to Stable View for hosting the 2022 Area III Championships! It was a wonderful weekend of top-notch competition and fun. The champion pairs were among 160 entries in 12 divisions, and the top Teams were among 28 starting teams.

Congratulations to all that qualified, and bravo to the winners!

2022 Area III Champions

Open Intermediate – Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis / Flower Girl

Open Preliminary – Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis / Splash Dance

Open Modified – Breeana Robinette / Cape Kimberly

Training Horse – Jessica Schultz / Angelic Warrior

Senior Training Rider – Cindy Phillips / Third Times The Charm

Junior Training Rider – Devon Tresan / Zavallo

Novice Horse –Lara Roberts / Fernhill Show Biz

Senior Novice Rider – Deirdre Vailancourt / Invictus

Junior Novice Rider – Claire Roddy / Goodness Gracious

Beginner Novice Horse – Carla Jimmerson / Tag You’re It

Senior Beginner Novice Rider – Tiffany Stewart / Crimson Clover

Junior Beginner Novice Rider – Madison Zgutowicz / My Valentine

 

2022 Area III AR/YR Team Challenge Top Placings

1st Place YR Team – Hot to Trot – 74.390

Josephine Irish, Katarina Midgley, Lara Roberts, Breeana Robinette

 

1st Place AR Team – Big Timers – 89.018

Jennifer Boshart, Carla Jimmerson, Hannah O’Brien, Ashley Allison

 

2nd Place Team – Smile Happy – 91.205

Lily Barlow, Mary Bess Davis, Tawn Edwards, Autumn Schweiss

 

3rd Place Team – Hopes and Dreams – 96.903

Maya Clarkson, Skyler Norris, Rian Presel

 

4th Place Team – Charge It – 97.589

Lindsey Lanier, Liz Mason, Lauren New, Mikayla Kearney

 

5th Place Team – Team Geven – 98.065

Tessa Geven, Ella Kay Lane, Samuel Moreland, Katelyn Smith

 

6th Place Team – Summer is Tomorrow – 98.075

Alex Pistocco, Elizabeth Vaughn, Brenda Hutton, Beverly Britton