Top Area III Volunteers for 2023

Congratulations and heartfelt gratitude go to Jerry Buell, who is our top Area III volunteer for 2023! This year, 531 dedicated Area III volunteers logged 11,107 hours at 53 recognized events into the Eventing Volunteers app. We stand in awe at your generosity to support and keep this sport running!

This summer, we lost 2022’s top volunteer, our friend Dick Owen. The fact that he still earned second place on this list should tell you what a dedicated member of the community he was, and highlights the impact his absence will have moving forward. Mr. Owen, we salute you and will forever miss your smiling face.

Let’s all give a shout out to the volunteers at your next event of the new season, and especially these superstars! Our top 25 volunteer heroes for 2023 are:

1. Buell, Jerry (FL)

2. Owen, Dick (FL)

3. Buell, Lynne (FL)

4. Slagle, David (TN)

5. Hale, Catherine (FL

6. Bird, Diane (SC)

7. Bird, Art (SC)

8. Farrow, Karin (MA)

9. Smith, Cynthia (GA)

10. Bandrofchak, John (GA)

11. p. muramatsu, masae (FL)

12. Hahn, Virginia (Ginny) (FL)

13. Steele, Cheryl (FL)

14. Lee, Carol (FL)

15. Fraley, Barb (FL)

16. Mumme, Karen (FL)

17. Eakle, Jeffrey (GA)

18. Eakle, Darlene (GA)

19. Allison, Gail (FL)

20. Glaccum, Bambi (PA)

21. Bush, Kim (SC)

22. Kaplan, Suzanne (SC)

23. Kircher , Heather (FL)

24. Allison , Tristan (FL)

25. Lee, Virginia (SC)

Final 2023 Area III Leaderboard Standings

The 2023 season is a wrap! Before we head into our first events of the 2024 season, please join us to congratulate the year’s top 10 riders and horses across the levels.

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!