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Adult Rider Program

The Adult Rider Coordinator for Area III is Debbie MacConnel. Please contact her at Area3AdultRiders@gmail.com.

Upcoming Adult Rider Events

Sharon White Clinic - February 22-23, 2025, at Jumping Branch Farm in Aiken, SC

Sharon White is an international CCI5* three-day eventing rider, trainer and Level 4 USEA ICP Certified Instructor based at Last Frontier Farm in Summit Point, West Virginia. With over 25 years of experience as a professional equestrian, Sharon is a well-respected and dedicated horsewoman who always seeks to do her best by the horses first.

Sharon’s brilliant career includes over 10 visits to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (formerly known as Rolex Kentucky) with five different horses. She has also traveled overseas to contest CCI5* events at Lühmuhlen (France) and Les Etoiles de Pau (France) as well as CCI4* events at Boekelo (Netherlands) and Hartpury (United Kingdom). Sharon has represented the United States in FEI Eventing Nations Cup competitions and was a reserve rider for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. She is also a USDF Silver Medalist and has competed in pure show jumping.

This clinic will be limited to 20 riders split into groups of no more than 5 riders per group.  Day 1 will consist of stadium exercises and Day 2 XC.  

  • Area III Adult riders are being offered a special clinic price of $275 for both days. 

  • Non-Adult Riders are welcome to join space permitting for $350.  

Please email Debbie MacConnel, Area III Adult Rider Coordinator at area3adultriders@gmail.com to reserve a spot and get the entry forms.

Dana Cooke Clinic - March 22-23, 2025, in Madison GA

Dana, operating out of North Carolina USA is originally from British Columbia. She came to the US in 2008 and spent years learning and working alongside Rebecca Howard and other world class riders. In 2014 Dana accepted a position at Kingfisher Park where she presently acts as Director of Equine Activities.

Dana has successfully ridden through the 5* level in eventing and was a member of the Canadian Bronze Medal team at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. She also competed in the 2022 World Eventing Championships in Italy and was selected as Reserve Rider for the Paris 2024 Canadian Eventing Team.

Dana has been described by her clients, students and colleagues as one of the most enthusiastic, honest, goal- oriented, knowledgeable, driven, intuitive, motivated, and committed professionals they know. Dana is an extremely hard worker who’s out of the box thinking sets her apart in the industry.
She is as excited about her students' successes as much as her own -- which is reflected in the community and team she has built around her.

Cost: Each lesson is $100.00. Groups are prorated. Groups will be scheduled as needed or requested. There is no haul in fees or facility fees. If it's a group lesson, it will be either poles, grids or some other creative kind of jumping. You will naturally get breaks while the other riders go but still get plenty of 1 on 1 instruction and learning from Dana. Flat lessons cannot be groups.

Rides are filling up fast; to reserve your spot email kayhalbert@gmail.com or call /text : 404-964-2886. For more information you can also contact Debbie MacConnel, Area III Adult Rider Coordinator at area3adultriders@gmail.com.

Travel Grants for Area III Adult Riders

The purpose of the travel grant is to reimburse Adult Rider/Young Rider members for a portion of travel expenses for educational programs sponsored by USEA. For Adult Riders, programs include the Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Workshops or Symposium, and for Young Riders, the grants are intended for regional or national clinics or participation in the Mentorship Program at YR Championships.

CRITERIA. To be eligible for a grant the individual must:

  1. Be a member of the Area III Adult Riders or Area III Young Riders program prior to activity registration/selection.

  2. Submit a request to the appropriate AR/YR Coordinator requesting a travel grant.

  3. Provide proof of volunteering at least 8 hours at a recognized horse trials during the current

    competition year (Dec-Nov).

  4. A member is restricted to one travel grant per competition year (Dec-Nov).

  5. Members receiving other grants through any USEF/USEA program are excluded from travel grant

    eligibility.

AVAILABILITY. A maximum of 10 grants of up to $150 each will be awarded to reimburse travel expenses associated with the approved activity. Approved recipients are required to submit receipts to the area treasurer for reimbursement of up to $150. Members will be approved based on date of request and date of activity. After 10 grant award approvals, no further awards will be made during the current competition year.

Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) scholarship

The Cindy Burge Memorial Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Grant provides funds to assist those who wish to pursue ECP education. Within Area III, the Adult Rider program sponsors a yearly scholarship of up to $500 for ECP assessment.  Contact the AR Coordinator for further details.

Email Distribution List

The email distribution list is growing as we grow membership.  You need to sign up for the USEA Adult Rider program to be placed on the list. I will add any USEA organizer as a courtesy so let me know if you would like to be included.