USEA Area 1

January Newsletter

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>> COMMUNICATIONS SURVEY <<

NEWS & UPDATES

If you are based in Aiken, SC or Ocala, FL from January-February, be sure to check out the educational events hosted by the USEA Grooms Committee.

Ocala, FL - World Equestrian Center @ 6:30 PM

Jan 20, Jan 27, Feb 3, Feb 10

Aiken, SC - Aiken Horse Park @ 6:30 PM

Jan 13, Jan 20, Jan 27, Feb 3, Feb 10, Feb 17

A full list of the sanctioned events running in Area 1 for 2026 can be found below.

Check one thing off your 2026 to-do list and remember to renew your memberships for the season: USEA, USEF, FEI

Cold winter days are a perfect time to study up on Eventing! The 2026 USEF/USEA dressage tests and the USEF Eventing Rulebook can be found below.

2025 AREA 1 ANNUAL MEETING RECAP

Thanks to everyone who came to the Area 1 Annual meeting on November 16, 2025. We had a great turnout with close to 100 people attending. Rob Burk, CEO of USEA, was our keynote speaker as well as an enthusiastic participant at all of the breakout sessions. His presentation “Myth Busters: Perception vs. Reality” about the state of Eventing in the US was right on point. A survey post meeting revealed a few key takeaways:

1. The move to the November date was well received, allowing more people to come to the meeting before the southern migration. That early date will require us to adjust how points for year-end awards are counted since we are ahead of the USEA year-end close schedule and getting accurate data was challenging.
2. The new venue, The Inn on Boltwood in Amherst, MA was very well received (61% were very satisfied, 28% were satisfied). There were a few comments about food options and about alternative locations that were further west to make travel for our New York members easier. We will look into that and if anyone has any suggestions, let us know! The key factors in choosing a location are availability and cost, proximity to major highways, meeting space, food, staffing and the vibe.   
3. The survey raised some great comments about the agenda and flow of the meeting – with suggestions about adding open forums to allow members to ask questions to organizers and program coordinators, keeping presentations crisp so we stay on time, providing ample time for the auction and the awards celebration.

Overall, a great meeting – thanks to everyone who came and to those who helped out pulling it together and keeping it running! Finally, the auction pulled in about $5,000 that goes into programs to support Area 1. A million thanks to all the donors and to everyone who bid on auction items! 

UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

FEB 1 - Winter Program VI - Confirming Jumping Basics at Larkin Hill Farm | Nassau, NY 

FEB 15 - Winter Program VII - Improving Adjustability at Larkin Hill Farm | Nassau, NY

MAR 1 - Winter Program VIII - Jump Courses at Larkin Hill Farm | Nassau, NY

MAR 15 - Winter Program IX - Fix a Test at Larkin Hill | Nassau, NY

MAR 29 - Dominic Schramm at Treasure Hill Farm | Salem, CT

A full list of clinics held in Area 1 can be found here

Are you hosting a clinic in 2026? Be sure to share it on area1usea.org

UPCOMING SCHOOLING OPPORTUNITIES

MAR 29 - Larkin Hill Schooling Show | Nassau, NY

A full list of schooling competitions held in Area 1 can be found here

Are you hosting a schooling show in 2026? Be sure to share it on area1usea.org

2026 CHAMPIONSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The competition opportunities for 2026 are now available. More information can be found using the links below. 

MAY 15-17 - USEA Interscholastic Eventing League Championships | Aiken, SC

JUN 26-28 - USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships | Adamstown, MD

JUL 22-26 - FEI Eventing U25 World Championships | Co. Cork, Ireland

AUG 22-23 - USEA Area 1 Championships | S. Strafford, VT

AUG 25-30 - USEA American Eventing Championships | Lexington, KY

AUG 25-30 - Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championship | Lexington, KY

OCT 8-11 - USEF Eventing National Championship League Final | Leesburg, VA

OCT 8-11 - USEA/USEF Developing Horse National Championship | Leesburg, VA

OCT 15-16 - USEA Young Event Horse Championships | Elkton, MD

AREA 1 PROGRAMS

Open to riders 22 & Above of ALL levels

Open to riders 25 & Under of ALL levels

Program memberships are an addition to your USEA membership and must be renewed on an annual basis. A tutorial on how to join these programs can be found here.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Maryland International Equestrian Foundation FEI Scholarship -- Due May 1, 2026

Race for Education Scholarship -- Due May 1, 2026

GMHA Young Equestrian Development Scholarships -- Due May 15, 2026

Bromont Rising U25 Grant -- Due May 15, 2026

USEF Higher Education Equestrian Scholarships -- Due July 31, 2026

Broussard Charitable Foundation Trust Going Forward Grants -- Due September 15, 2026

Wilton Fair Fund -- Due October 1, 2026

Richard Picked Memorial Grant -- Due October 15, 2026

Essex Horse Trials Grant -- Due October 15, 2026

Kim Meier "Kick On" Memorial Grant - Due October 15, 2026

Haller Educational Scholarship -- Due October 15, 2026

Seema Sonnad Junior Rider Grant -- Due October 15, 2026

Area 1 Adult Rider Program Education Voucher - Due November 15, 2026

Area 1 Adult Rider Program Classic Series Voucher - Due November 15, 2026

Cindy Burge Memorial ECP Grant - accepted on a rolling basis

GMHA Virginia Lancaster Memorial Youth Fund - accepted on a rolling basis

GMHA Junior Horsemanships Clinic Scholarship - accepted on a rolling basis

GMHA Goeff and Joanie Nichols Youth Fund - accepted on a rolling basis

GMHA Young Equestrian Development Scholarships - accepted on a rolling basis

FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS

Thanks to your support, GMHA now owns Bee’s field, the 35 acres acquired through member support and the Manton Foundation that matched all donations to GMHA’s Land Acquisition campaign up to $500,000. The work continues as critical capital projects, including flood mitigation, are essential to safeguard this land and strengthen GMHA for the next century. Your support today ensures we can meet these goals.

After making a substantial investment in the clean-up and repair of its six current courses, MHT debuted its 7th course -- Modified!. Millbrook is so grateful to everyone who donated, thank you! If you would like to donate funds to support the Millbrook XC courses, they could still use your help!

If you would like your event featured please contact Area 1 Chairman, Judy Rossi (rossijr1@gmail.com)

HELPFUL LINKS

USEA Adult Riders

USEA Young Riders

USEF Eventing

Funding Opportunities

Check out our social media channels below!