Starter division to be added to 2024 Area III Championships

The USEA has added the Starter division to recognized horse trials, and starting in 2024, Area III will offer a Starter Rider division at the Area III Championships. The championship will be held at Chattahoochee Hills in Fairburn, GA on June 28-30, 2024.

The criteria to qualify follows that of all Area III championship rider divisions: the rider and horse, together as a pair, must place 1st thru 5th at one event with no cross country jump penalties.

Please follow this link for USEA starter level requirements and regulations.

The qualifying period for the new 2024 Starter Rider championship division is December 1, 2023 to June 11, 2024.

Area III is recruiting a Championships and Awards Coordinator/Council Secretary

The Area III Council is seeking to fill the position of Championships and Awards Coordinator/Council Secretary for the term of December 1, 2023 – November 30, 2026. Responsibilities of this position will include coordinating Area III Championships and awards, Volunteer Recognition awards, and Leaderboard awards, and monitoring national awards for Area III recipients. More details on the position can be found in this document.

The deadline for nominations is August 31, 2023.

New Young Rider Co-coordinators for 2024-2026

Area III is pleased to announce our new Young Riders Program Co-Coordinators for 2024-2026: Jessica Robinette and Joanne Morse. We are grateful to Lee Ann Gilson for filling this role over the past three years, and wish her the best as she enjoys a well-deserved break. Area III Young Riders, parents and coaches can look forward to exciting new activities and programs as Jessica and Joanne step into leadership in December 2023. Please support their efforts and our Young Riders Program - we know our young riders are among the best in the sport and anticipate an amazing 2024 season. Thank you for stepping up, Jessica and Joanne!

Area III Recruiting for YR Coordinator and YR Co-Coordinator -

Area III is recruiting a Young Riders Coordinator and Young Riders Co-Coordinator! Send an email to usea.area3@gmail.com by July 31, 2023. Include a short description of your background and experience. See this document link for full details:

YR Coordinator and YR Co-Coordinator Details

Leaderboard Awards -

Each season, Area III recognizes our top riders for all area leaderboard categories. For the past several years, we've mailed ribbons at the season's end, but we're wondering if that's what our members prefer. We need your feedback on how you'd like to receive your awards moving forward! Please respond to this poll below to let us know. - Leaderboard Award Options

Your 2023 USEA Area III Champions!

As the sun set at Chattahoochee Hills, here were your prevailing pairs! Congratulations and thank you to these winners, and each and every competitor who managed through very challenging weather conditions out there this weekend. Our hats are off to you.

Listed below are the top 10 of 26 teams competing at the Area III Championships this year. Each team will receive gift certificates sponsored by the Area III Adult Riders, Area III Young Riders, and I Love My Horse Equestrian Boutique. Thank you, sponsors!

Adult Rider/Young Rider Team Challenge:

1st – Hoof Hearted ($100 ea) - Lauren New; Greg Ragusa; Carole Schaff; Marisa Shulman

2nd – Three Bays and a Grey ($75 ea) - Avery Grantham; Rosemary Milek; Devon Tresan; Merrell Waggoner

3rd – The Galloping Gevens ($50 ea) - Tessa Geven; Ella Kay Lane; Carolyn May; Melanie Smith

4th – Neigh Slayers ($50 ea) - Catherine Frank; Ann Parer Meyers; Brenda Myers; Abby Taylor

5th – Team Foxberry ($50 ea) - Tessa Simmons; Brian Keil; Olivia Martinez; Anna Kate Stooksbury

6th – 3 Horses and A Pony ($25 ea) - Julitta Bryant; Livy Chambers; Katelyn Smith; Celia White

7th – Big Time Badasses ($25 ea) - Elisabeth Chizek; Carla Jimmerson; Hannah O’Brien; Nicole Smith

8th – Yankee Doodle Dandy ($25 ea) - Ella Hubert; Lisa Lorenzo; Sandra McDonald; Karl Slezak

9th – Hot Shots ($25 ea) - Catherine Frank; Jordan Knight; Sarah Smith; Kai Walker

10th – Silver Lining ($25 ea) - Stephanie Counts; Emily Kuras; Hanna Peck; Devon Tresan

A final look at the 2023 Area III Young Riders Summer Camp

These wonderful photos were provided by Madren Photography. Find these and more at her website.

Area III Championships T-shirts available for pre-order

The Area III Young Riders (YR) program is selling Championship t-shirts as a fundraiser toward fall YR team events. Please pre-order as only a very limited number of shirts/sizes will be available at the event.

Youth and Adult sizes are available - see the sizing chart here.

Pre-order cost is $25 per shirt; $30 if purchased onsite.

Use this link to pre-order - credit card payment is required. Note: when ordering, click on the link to make the credit card payment and 'submit' the payment form. THEN, go back to the order form and 'submit'. Your order is not complete until both forms are submitted.

Your order will be available for pickup at the event starting Friday afternoon.

Email questions to area3youngriders@gmail.com.

Online ordering closes Thursday, June 15, at 10AM. PLEASE Pre-Order!

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.

Entries and Teams are open for Area III Championships!

Summer is almost here, and that means Area III Championships are coming soon! Chattahoochee Hills will be hosting champs this year alongside their Summer I Horse Trials on July 1-2. Entries opened on May 16 and will close on June 13. Not sure if you’re qualified? Read all of the qualifying info here.

Team info from your Adult Riders and Young Riders Coordinators:

UPDATE: Here’s a list of the AR/YR teams - Team Challenge List . Contact the Adult Riders or Young Riders Coordinators for updates/corrections. Waitlisted and Pending riders will be added to a team if their status changes.

Area III Young Riders and Adult Riders are again “Teaming up” to make the Area III Championships special. ALL, we mean ALL, current Area III Adult Riders and Young Riders who enter for champs will be placed on a team. Teams can consist of any level, any division, young rider or adult rider.

You can create your own team: Join up with friends or folks you want to get to know, come up with a name, create some buzz, and cheer each other on. Please send your team info to: area3adultriders@gmail.com or area3youngriders@gmail.com

If you don’t create your own team, we will create teams with those left over.

This is for FUN! There will be prizes…but the idea is to have FUN.

Cindy and Lee Ann