The USEF Eventing Owners Task Force has assisted in coordinating several owners hospitality events throughout the 2023 competition season, with a focus on increasing owner communication, engagement, and recognition. The Task Force made it their goal in 2023 to focus on these areas as well as highlight every 4*-L in the U.S. The hospitality events serve the Eventing community as they provide an opportunity for outreach with prospective owners within the discipline and out, increase and develop potential high-performance owners to partner with athletes, form connections and engage with sponsors and events to recognize owners, and generally encourage both owners and athletes to attend events. The following hospitality events have occurred thus far in 2023:
April 29-30, 2023 - Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event
During LRK3DE 2023, several owners’ hospitality events occurred; the first of which began as a golf cart guided cross-country course walk with U.S. Eventing Technical Advisor and Chef d'Equipe Robert Costello. Owners and supporters were able to tour the LRK3DE cross country course with Costello offering insight on highlighted obstacles. The tour ended at the Defender Head of the Lake, where owners and supporters were welcomed to the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation tent graciously donated by the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. At the tent there was exquisite dining where owners and supporters could enjoy their dinner and have an incredible ringside view of the Grand-Prix CSIO3* in the Rolex Arena.
On Sunday morning, following the Jog up, the Irish Draught Horse Association generously hosted and sponsored an Eventing Owner’s Mimosa Toast and breakfast at their tent.
May 10, 2023- Tyron Spring International Horse Trials
An eventing owner’s reception was held at The Tryon International Equestrian Center International Horse Trials at their popular Legends Club during their competitors party, where the eventing owners were able to network with interdisciplinary athletes and owners. This was generously sponsored by St. Luke’s Hospital and the Cadier family.
July 19-23 - The Event at Rebecca Farm
On Thursday night at The Event at Rebecca Farm, there was a start box party to welcome everyone at the event where owners were able to network and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks. On Friday evening there was a guided tour with Ian Stark and several top-level athletes that competed over the weekend. Saturday’s competitors’ party included a highlighted USEF owners’ table filled with goody bags, name tags, and USEF eventing resources.
Upcoming Owner’s Hospitality Events in 2023:
October 12-15 - Morven Park
During the weekend at Morven Park there are very exciting events happening for the park’s 50th anniversary. Eventing owners can find two USEF-sponsored cross country tents with light snacks and refreshments on course, where they can network and watch the cross country action. Eventing owners and supporters will also be able to tour the Morven Park mansion and garden.
October 18-22 – Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill
At the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, there will be a guided course walk with eventing coaches that will end at the MARS chalet with small bites and drinks provided by Blade and Bow. For the Sunday jog, there will be a MARS sponsored table with coffee, warm breakfast, and MARS products available for competitors, owners, grooms, and supporters.
There will be additional Eventing Owners Task Force events held at Galway Downs November 1-5, 2023 and at Terranova November 17-19, 2023. More details to come about these events!
USEF Eventing and the Eventing Owners Task Force thanks all the sponsors for their support at the owners’ hospitality events.