Marc grew up in Long Island, NY, and started riding at the age of eight. Early in his riding career, he showed Pony Hunters and later in the Equitation divisions. He was a member of Meadow Brook Hounds Pony Club and received his A rating in 1986.

After studying for two years at Rochester Institute of Technology, Marc continued his education at Emerson College and graduated with a degree in communications. Throughout college he rode horses and competed in Eventing across the East Coast. In the 1990s, he rode his horse Middlemarch to the CCI** level.

In the past several years Marc has designed show jumping courses for many competitions including the Carolina International, US Pony Finals, Galway International, Plantation Field, Richland Park, Bromont, Pinoak Charity Horse Show and the American Eventing Championships. Marc assisted Richard Jeffery at the 2011 National Horse show and assisted Richard and Conrad Homfeld at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. He is a USEF ‘R’ licensed show jump course designer and the Program Director at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, NC where he started the War Horse Event Series schooling Horse Trials. Marc is the organizer of the Southern Pines Horse Trials, Carolina International CCI and Horse Trial, Longleaf Pine Horse Trials, and the Five Points Horse Trials.

Chris grew up in England and learned to ride at the age of 8. Growing up with horses and ponies in his family Chris started his British Horse Society training at the prestigious Gleneagles Equestrian Center in Perthshire Scotland. In 1994 Chris moved to the United States and continued his equestrian career at the Millbrook Equestrian Center in Millbrook NY as a trainer and rider. Taking his love of riding into many equestrian disciplines including successfully showing on the “A” show circuit in the jumper ring, eventing through the Preliminary level, fox hunting with the Millbrook Hunt and competing in the dressage arena.

Chris is a FEI Level 2 Jumper Course Designer and a USEF “R” licensed show jumping course designer. He continues to design courses up to the Grand Prix level for numerous top rated USEF jumper shows including The World Equestrian Center - Ocala and The Venice Equestrian Tour - Venice, FL as well as course designing many national and FEI events including The Event at Rebecca Farm CCI 4* Morven Park CCI 4* Tryon International Fall CCI 4* Great Meadow International CCI 4* Stable View CCI 4* among many others and he has designed for The North American Eventing Young Rider Championships in 2016, 2017 & 2018 as well as the 2017 American Eventing Championships.

Chris assisted British FEI course designer Richard Jeffery at the National Horse Show and also at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, Canadian FEI course designer Danny Foster at numerous top level “A” rated horse shows and more recently Portugal’s FEI course designer Bernardo Costa Cabral at some of the top international jumper shows in the USA.

Now a U.S. citizen, Chris now bases full time in Florida with his show jumping wife Justine Dutton at their farm in Reddick, Florida. Chris is busy course designing and also designing, constructing and selling his own line of aluminum show jumps.

Ifa Simmonds is a certified fitness performance coach for equestrians with over a decade of experience and creator of The Equestrian Fitness Academy (EFA). He empowers riders through holistic fitness and wellness programs to enhance their performance in the saddle. His primary goal is helping riders improve their riding fitness with greater stability, suppleness, strength, and stamina in the saddle. He's trained a host of equestrians, from leisure trail riders to competitive professional dressage, eventing, western pleasure, horsemanship, reining, hunter/jumper riders, and their riding coaches. Mr. Simmonds combines his expertise through several certifications, including functional fitness, yoga, and pilates, among others, into EFA. He is a rider performance clinician, writer, and presenter who's worked with various organizations like IEA, IHSA, YEDA, USHJA, and more. EFA is the premier holistic fitness coaching program for equestrians in English and western disciplines looking to improve their balance, position, and athleticism

Louise ‘Lou’ Leslie has over 30 years of involvement with USEA. She competes her event horses from the grassroots to FEI levels as each develops into their best potential. From ECP (formerly ICP) Workshops and Assessments to USEA Foundation Grants, Louise spear heads many educational and grant opportunities for the event community with involvement of the many USEA committees. From the local Area councils to National committees, the combined background of 12 years’ experience on the Board of Governors and the USEA Foundation, her tenure as USEA President will incorporate many of the Strategic Planning committee principles; taking care of the membership experience and remaining diligent to eventing sport safety.

Louise resides in Redmond, Washington with her husband, Neil, and two sons, Alexander, and Broderick.  Her backyard barn is filled with competition horses of a variety of eventing experiences: Souvenir a 15-year-old, Irish Sport Horse, is based in Maryland, to gain the East coast experiences;  Cnick Cnack JJM, a 6-year-old, Hanoverian is continuing to progress up the appropriate levels, based on time allowed away from the busy President schedule; and Twenty-Two Deal, a 4-year-old, OTTB, is the new addition from Emerald Downs Racetrack.

Max Corcoran grew up in Manchester, Massachusetts. She started foxhunting with Myopia Hunt out of Pine Grove Stables in South Hamilton, MA. While attending Proctor Academy and Northeastern University, she competed at the Novice and training levels. She went on to work for the O’Connor Event Team from 2001-2012. Max was head groom for Karen and was lucky enough to travel to many championships worldwide. Max gives back to the sport by serving on many committees for USEF and USEA and volunteers around the country at various events. She continues to freelance groom and also organizes horse trials up and down the east coast. She is a previous USEA President and has been most recently named as the USEF Eventing High Performance Program and Team Facilitator.

Ifa Simmonds is a certified fitness performance coach for equestrians with over a decade of experience and creator of The Equestrian Fitness Academy (EFA). He empowers riders through holistic fitness and wellness programs to enhance their performance in the saddle. His primary goal is helping riders improve their riding fitness with greater stability, suppleness, strength, and stamina in the saddle. He's trained a host of equestrians, from leisure trail riders to competitive professional dressage, eventing, western pleasure, horsemanship, reining, hunter/jumper riders, and their riding coaches. Mr. Simmonds combines his expertise through several certifications, including functional fitness, yoga, and pilates, among others, into EFA. He is a rider performance clinician, writer, and presenter who's worked with various organizations like IEA, IHSA, YEDA, USHJA, and more. EFA is the premier holistic fitness coaching program for equestrians in English and western disciplines looking to improve their balance, position, and athleticism

Cindy Deporter has been a member of the USEA since 1977.  She is a FEI Level 3 Technical Delegate and a FEI Level 2 Judge. She is an amateur rider and this year. She retired from the State of North Carolina as the State Agency Director in 2021.  Cindy has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a member of the Competitions Scheduling Committee, and Chairperson for the Licensed Officials Committee. Cindy is also on the Competition Scheduling Committee Cindy bought a new young horse this year and is looking forward to progressing Jacquar's Grace's career.

Tim Murray grew up fox hunting in Hamilton, Mass. and began eventing in 1970. He has competed through the Intermediate level, but for the last 10 years has focused his riding efforts at buying and retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds. As his interest in competing diminished, Murray became involved as an eventing official. He obtained his “r” Technical Delegate (TD) license in 2013 and his “R” TD license in 2016. He recently passed his examination to become a FEI TD. Murray has also been active in the administrative side of the sport, serving six years on the USEA Board of Governors and six years as a trustee of the USEA Endowment Trust (now USEA Foundation). For 10 years he co-chaired the USEA Young Riders Committee.

Tim Murray grew up fox hunting in Hamilton, Mass. and began eventing in 1970. He has competed through the Intermediate level, but for the last 10 years has focused his riding efforts at buying and retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds. As his interest in competing diminished, Murray became involved as an eventing official. He obtained his “r” Technical Delegate (TD) license in 2013 and his “R” TD license in 2016. He recently passed his examination to become a FEI TD. Murray has also been active in the administrative side of the sport, serving six years on the USEA Board of Governors and six years as a trustee of the USEA Endowment Trust (now USEA Foundation). For 10 years he co-chaired the USEA Young Riders Committee.

Wayne Quarles had a passion for horses from a very young age, but being from a non-horsey family he had to be content with occasional rides at a hack stable until he saved enough money to buy HIS first horse when he was 15. After that his primary education was from riding for a local sales barn and started riding problem horses for people. While his initial education was in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage became a passion after going to see the Spanish Riding School when they performed in Washington DC when he was 16. Eventing happened later in his career when coaching Dressage and Jumping for the local Pony Club. They needed a XC coach to prepare for their regional rally and since he knew how to ride on terrain from Hunting, he stepped in and has been involved ever since.

Wayne holds the following licenses: FEI “I” Eventing Judge and Technical Delegate, FEI Level 2 Steward, USEF Registered (“R”) judge for Dressage and Senior (”S”) Judge and Technical Delegate for Eventing, plus USEF Recorded “r” Connemara judge.

Current Chair of the USEF Eventing Sport Committee Officials Working group, Board of Governors co-chair of the USEA Eventing Licensed Officials Committee, co-author and panelist for the Training Program for Eventing Officials, a member of the USEF Connemara Committee and the American Connemara Association Board of Governors. In addition, Wayne is a founding member of the Masterson Park Equestrian Trust Foundation, currently he is competing in Dressage and Eventing with his fifth generation of homebreds.

Yvonne is a trial lawyer, transactions attorney, and certified mediator who practices in the areas of equine law, employment law, and commercial litigation. Yvonne’s equine law experience includes handling litigation and transactions involving the Equine Activity Liability Act and various other state and federal laws affecting equine industry activities. She assists individual horse owners, trainers, breeders, facilities, veterinarians and others in the equine industry litigate and resolve claims for personal injury, property damage, and other losses caused by allegations of negligence, breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation and other legal issues. She also drafts contracts for horse purchases, sales, and leases, assists with negotiating and drafting employment and independent contractor agreements for equine industry workers, and creates equine liability releases for horse owners, trainers, breeders, facilities, veterinarians, transporters and other individuals and entities sponsoring or participating in equine activities. She also has extensive experience developing multi-owner syndicates for horses in numerous disciplines, including eventing, dressage, and jumpers, as well as creating stallion and mare breeding syndicates. The syndicates completed to date range from several owners to multiple owners, range in value from $5,000 to $850,000 in value, and vary from very young horses beginning their training to mature horses competing at the highest levels of their sport.  Yvonne speaks extensively on the topic of equine law to national and local organizations and competes in Eventing for Area III.

Cindy Deporter has been a member of the USEA since 1977.  She is a FEI Level 3 Technical Delegate and a FEI Level 2 Judge. She is an amateur rider and this year. She retired from the State of North Carolina as the State Agency Director in 2021.  Cindy has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a member of the Competitions Scheduling Committee, and Chairperson for the Licensed Officials Committee. Cindy is also on the Competition Scheduling Committee Cindy bought a new young horse this year and is looking forward to progressing Jacquar's Grace's career.

Tim Murray grew up fox hunting in Hamilton, Mass. and began eventing in 1970. He has competed through the Intermediate level, but for the last 10 years has focused his riding efforts at buying and retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds. As his interest in competing diminished, Murray became involved as an eventing official. He obtained his “r” Technical Delegate (TD) license in 2013 and his “R” TD license in 2016. He recently passed his examination to become a FEI TD. Murray has also been active in the administrative side of the sport, serving six years on the USEA Board of Governors and six years as a trustee of the USEA Endowment Trust (now USEA Foundation). For 10 years he co-chaired the USEA Young Riders Committee.

Tim Murray grew up fox hunting in Hamilton, Mass. and began eventing in 1970. He has competed through the Intermediate level, but for the last 10 years has focused his riding efforts at buying and retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds. As his interest in competing diminished, Murray became involved as an eventing official. He obtained his “r” Technical Delegate (TD) license in 2013 and his “R” TD license in 2016. He recently passed his examination to become a FEI TD. Murray has also been active in the administrative side of the sport, serving six years on the USEA Board of Governors and six years as a trustee of the USEA Endowment Trust (now USEA Foundation). For 10 years he co-chaired the USEA Young Riders Committee.

Gretchen Butts has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing, as well as a Master of Arts in Management/Human Resources and spent 25 years as an Adult/Internal Medicine Nurse Practitioner while gaining her vast experience in eventing. Gretchen's equestrian experience is broad – she is an eventing competitor through the International Long Format Four-star level, Event Organizer at Waredaca since 1979, Level 3 FEI International Event Technical Delegate and Eventing Judge, USEF Equestrian Eventing “S” Technical Delegate and Eventing Judge, past member of the USEA Board of Governors and Vice President of Education, Chief Jump Judge for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, International Technical Official at the 2008 Olympic Games, Assistant Technical Delegate for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, contributing author to Eventing USA, and past educational consultant to the Association. Gretchen is also a Level 3 ICP certified instructor and sits on several key U.S. Equestrian Federation and U.S. Eventing Association committees.  

In her spare time, she is a long-distance runner, avid sailor on the Chesapeake and alpine hiker with husband, Robert.  They have two daughters. Steph is an ICP Level 2 instructor and graduate ‘A’ Pony Clubber with experience through the three-star level, a part of the Waredaca staff, competition organizer and business team, and co-owner of the Waredaca Brewing Company. Her younger sister, Devon, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy currently practicing in Chicago.  And has 4 fabulous dogs—2 Border Terriers and 2 German Shepherds.

Marilyn Payne, FEI Eventing Judge and USEF Senior Dressage Judge, is a distinguished breeder of horses for eventing and dressage, as well as a trainer, competitor, and international judge. She judges eventing around the country and abroad, and was a member of the Ground Jury for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong and 2010 WEG. She also judges dressage competitions through the Grand Prix level throughout the U.S. Marilyn is leading the USEA program for educating judges about evaluating young horses, and presented a popular seminar on how young horses are judged at the 2008 AEC. Marilyn resides with her husband Dick at their Applewood Farm in Califon, New Jersey. Their children, Doug and Holly, have followed in their mother’s footsteps and are successful competitors and trainers in their own right.

Wayne Quarles had a passion for horses from a very young age, but being from a non-horsey family he had to be content with occasional rides at a hack stable until he saved enough money to buy HIS first horse when he was 15. After that his primary education was from riding for a local sales barn and started riding problem horses for people. While his initial education was in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage became a passion after going to see the Spanish Riding School when they performed in Washington DC when he was 16. Eventing happened later in his career when coaching Dressage and Jumping for the local Pony Club. They needed a XC coach to prepare for their regional rally and since he knew how to ride on terrain from Hunting, he stepped in and has been involved ever since.

Wayne holds the following licenses: FEI “I” Eventing Judge and Technical Delegate, FEI Level 2 Steward, USEF Registered (“R”) judge for Dressage and Senior (”S”) Judge and Technical Delegate for Eventing, plus USEF Recorded “r” Connemara judge.

Current Chair of the USEF Eventing Sport Committee Officials Working group, Board of Governors co-chair of the USEA Eventing Licensed Officials Committee, co-author and panelist for the Training Program for Eventing Officials, a member of the USEF Connemara Committee and the American Connemara Association Board of Governors. In addition, Wayne is a founding member of the Masterson Park Equestrian Trust Foundation, currently he is competing in Dressage and Eventing with his fifth generation of homebreds.

Gretchen Butts has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing, as well as a Master of Arts in Management/Human Resources and spent 25 years as an Adult/Internal Medicine Nurse Practitioner while gaining her vast experience in eventing. Gretchen's equestrian experience is broad – she is an eventing competitor through the International Long Format Four-star level, Event Organizer at Waredaca since 1979, Level 3 FEI International Event Technical Delegate and Eventing Judge, USEF Equestrian Eventing “S” Technical Delegate and Eventing Judge, past member of the USEA Board of Governors and Vice President of Education, Chief Jump Judge for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, International Technical Official at the 2008 Olympic Games, Assistant Technical Delegate for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, contributing author to Eventing USA, and past educational consultant to the Association. Gretchen is also a Level 3 ICP certified instructor and sits on several key U.S. Equestrian Federation and U.S. Eventing Association committees.  

In her spare time, she is a long-distance runner, avid sailor on the Chesapeake and alpine hiker with husband, Robert.  They have two daughters. Steph is an ICP Level 2 instructor and graduate ‘A’ Pony Clubber with experience through the three-star level, a part of the Waredaca staff, competition organizer and business team, and co-owner of the Waredaca Brewing Company. Her younger sister, Devon, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy currently practicing in Chicago.  And has 4 fabulous dogs—2 Border Terriers and 2 German Shepherds.

Janet Gunn is a founding member of Commonwealth Dressage and Combined Training Association (CDCTA) in Northern Virginia, serving on the Board of Directors as Treasurer, Budget Chair, and Secretary. She was organizer of the original CDCTA Spring Horse Trials at Commonwealth Park and has been involved as rider, volunteer, coordinator, or official in almost every CDCTA horse trial. Janet has been CDCTA’s Affiliate Representative to USEA since 2004, and is also the Affiliate Coordinator for both Area II and USEA, where she is on the Membership Development Committee. A licensed “r” Eventing TD, Janet keeps her horses at home.

Ifa Simmonds is a certified fitness performance coach for equestrians with over a decade of experience and creator of The Equestrian Fitness Academy (EFA). He empowers riders through holistic fitness and wellness programs to enhance their performance in the saddle. His primary goal is helping riders improve their riding fitness with greater stability, suppleness, strength, and stamina in the saddle. He's trained a host of equestrians, from leisure trail riders to competitive professional dressage, eventing, western pleasure, horsemanship, reining, hunter/jumper riders, and their riding coaches. Mr. Simmonds combines his expertise through several certifications, including functional fitness, yoga, and pilates, among others, into EFA. He is a rider performance clinician, writer, and presenter who's worked with various organizations like IEA, IHSA, YEDA, USHJA, and more. EFA is the premier holistic fitness coaching program for equestrians in English and western disciplines looking to improve their balance, position, and athleticism

Eileen was born and raised in Maryland as a horse-crazy girl of non-horsey parents. As a teenager,  she worked at a riding school in exchange for lessons and was introduced to Eventing in 1975. 

Eileen has competed successfully in Eventing through the upper levels on horses that she developed herself. She, and her daughter Caitlin, have a small sport-horse breeding and raising program.

She is the U.S. FEI Eventing Steward General, an FEI Eventing Steward, Level 4, a USEF Eventing Technical Delegate and Judge as well as a USEA Young Event Horse Judge. Eileen was an Assistant Steward at the 2010, 2014, and 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG). She was the FEI Eventing Chief Steward at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. In addition to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event,

Eileen has been the Chief Steward for the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, Bromont Three Day Event CCI, Jersey Fresh Three Day Event & CCI, Plantation International CCI, and the Carolina International among others.

Eileen lives in Maryland with her husband, Bill, and they have three grown children and three grandchildren.  In her spare time, when she’s not officiating or developing her young horses,  she enjoys spoiling her grandkids, digging in the dirt, and helping Bill restore classic muscle cars.

Marilyn Payne, FEI Eventing Judge and USEF Senior Dressage Judge, is a distinguished breeder of horses for eventing and dressage, as well as a trainer, competitor, and international judge. She judges eventing around the country and abroad, and was a member of the Ground Jury for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong and 2010 WEG. She also judges dressage competitions through the Grand Prix level throughout the U.S. Marilyn is leading the USEA program for educating judges about evaluating young horses, and presented a popular seminar on how young horses are judged at the 2008 AEC. Marilyn resides with her husband Dick at their Applewood Farm in Califon, New Jersey. Their children, Doug and Holly, have followed in their mother’s footsteps and are successful competitors and trainers in their own right.

Hannah Diebold of Bates Saddles is passionate about sharing her knowledge on how the fit and balance of a saddle affect the horse’s comfort and rider performance.

Sharyn has played an active role in US Eventing for the last 25 years. She is the secretary and co-organizer for the Millbrook Horse Trials (NY) and is also the event secretary for the Carolina International (NC). In addition to her organizing roles, Sharyn also holds a USEF ‘R’ Eventing Technical Delegate license.

Sharyn’s involvement on various USEA and USEF committees has grown over the last few years. After being involved with the USEA Area I Council from 2004 through 2021, she joined the USEA Board of Governors as the VP of Competitions in December 2021. She is also a member of the USEF Eventing Sport Committee and more recently the Chair of the USEF Strategic Calendar Review Task Force.

Sharyn’s day-to day work involves working as the Executive Director of the American Horse Trials Foundation [AHTF] and works at the Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center as the Events Manager.

Sharyn was born and raised on her parents’ farm in Southwick MA where she lives today with her own family. She attended Midway College in KY, where she first found her passion for Eventing. Sharyn spent many years in the saddle, both competitively and for pleasure. However, in her free time she enjoys spending it with her two children, Jacob, and Samantha. They are avid fans of all things outdoors, including skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.

Morgan is a leading licensed cross-country course designer and builder. He currently works with some of the most important U.S. competitive events and equestrian training facilities. Morgan began his career working for – and then alongside – many of the most respected names in the cross-country world, including John Williams, Mark Phillips, Mike Etherington- Smith, Tommy Brennan and Tremaine Cooper. Having learned the ropes from the best, Morgan went on to complete the rigorous intellectual and practical accreditations necessary to becoming an independent designer. Now successful in his own right, his experience includes projects in the U.S., Ireland and Latin America. Morgan is also an experienced equestrian, who enjoys eventing, foxhunting, polo and show jumping. He is married to Virginia Jenkins Rowsell, an Advanced Rider and former United States Equestrian Team (USET) competitor. They live with their two children in New Jersey.

John Marshall was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Phoenix. He graduated in 1974 from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Business. John started selling houses in Modesto, California, in 1976 and moved into Commercial Real Estate in 1979. He worked for Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate (later known as CB Richard Ellis) in Fresno from 1982 until 2001, when he started John Marshall Commercial Real Estate, which he operated until 2013. John has always been interested in horses. In the 1950s, John’s parents took him and his brother to ride the ponies at Kiddieland by the L.A. airport, and then in the 1960s, they took him to Weldon’s Stables in Phoenix’s Papago Park. He was 54 when he started taking English riding lessons. Later, he talked about volunteering time show jumping at Ram Tap, his first introduction to three-day eventing. He rode in his first horse trial there in 2007. Ram Tap (now known as Fresno County Horse Park) is the second oldest continuously operating eventing facility in the U.S., having opened in 1957. However, in 2012 Bill Burton, the longtime organizer, announced that he would close it. Many people started a “Save Ram Tap” movement, and John took it over to keep it open. John is on the USEA Membership Committee and is the Organizer’s Representative for Area VI. In 2017, John was presented the Andrew H. Popiel Memorial Trophy as USEA Organizer of the Year.

Liz Hoskinson of Bronxville, New York, is a lifelong horseperson, starting out as a youngster in the U.S. Pony Club and showing in the hunter world. When time allowed a return to active riding, she immediately turned to eventing and competing several horses at the lower levels in Area I as well as spent time competing over the winter months in Aiken, South Carolina. She has also coached students to success in their own eventing. Prior to re-starting her riding career, Liz was employed at USEF (then the AHSA), beginning in the Marketing and Communications department and finishing her decade of service as an Assistant Executive Director. Currently, she is the co-chair with Janet Gunn of the USEA's Membership Development committee; is a member of the USEA's Intercollegiate Eventing Committee; serves as co-Chief Dressage Steward at the Millbrook Horse Trials, and volunteers at additional horse trials throughout the season. She manages and teaches at a medium-sized facility in Connecticut and also works as a freelance writer and editor.

Siobhan O’Brien Area V (2024-2026) Siobhan has ridden and competed in Eventing for over 25 years. Siobhan competed throughout the United States, attending several AEC and FEI competitions and was 2011 Area V Preliminary Champion. She has ridden multiple horses from Beginner Novice through Intermediate and produced her horse, Hoodwink to Intermediate before selling him to a young rider for NAYC. Siobhan was United States Eventing Association (USEA) Area V Chairperson for two terms, managing the calendar, communicating with organizers and competitors, and representing the Area to the National organization. Siobhan is a USEA ECP certified coach with over 12 years of experience training beginner through Preliminary riders.

Prior to horses, Siobhan worked in Canada and the US with several companies including Microsoft. After leaving Microsoft she started OnTrack Imaging to bring innovative imaging technologies to the equine market. Siobhan is truly able to identify with the adult amateur competitor. She has had a lifetime love of horses but wasn’t able to seriously immerse herself into riding until she was an adult. As Malcom Gladwell writes in Outliers, it takes 10,000 hours to become expert at something. In an obsessive fashion, Siobhan put in her 10,000 hours and now derives pleasure from bringing horses into the lives of others.

She has owned and managed boarding and training facilities in Flower Mound since 2002.  Siobhan opened Horselife Farm in Bartonville, TX in 2019. Horselife Farm is an 18 acre eventing farm including beginner through preliminary horse and riders.

Siobhan also has three children and a supportive husband, all of whom are involved on the Farm.

Lauren Nicholson began riding at the age of six and competed in her first Lauren Nicholson has been riding since she was six and moved to Middleburg, VA out of high school to live and work for Karen and David O’Connor. Since then, Nicholson has been part of the gold medal-winning U.S. team at the 2015 Pan American Games, represented the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the 2018 Tryon World Equestrian Games, and many Nations Cups teams, and most recently an historic team silver at the 2022 Pratoni World Equestrian Games.

Nicholson has also had many top placings around the world at 5 and 4 stars in the last decade including, second at the Kentucky twice, Best First Timer at Badminton and Burghley, and multiple top 10 finishes at Kentucky, Badminton, Maryland, Burghley, Pau, Boekelo, Blenheim, and Bramham.

Lauren has become very involved on several boards and committees in the USEA and feels strongly about riders giving back to the sport.

Ifa Simmonds is a certified fitness performance coach for equestrians with over a decade of experience and creator of The Equestrian Fitness Academy (EFA). He empowers riders through holistic fitness and wellness programs to enhance their performance in the saddle. His primary goal is helping riders improve their riding fitness with greater stability, suppleness, strength, and stamina in the saddle. He's trained a host of equestrians, from leisure trail riders to competitive professional dressage, eventing, western pleasure, horsemanship, reining, hunter/jumper riders, and their riding coaches. Mr. Simmonds combines his expertise through several certifications, including functional fitness, yoga, and pilates, among others, into EFA. He is a rider performance clinician, writer, and presenter who's worked with various organizations like IEA, IHSA, YEDA, USHJA, and more. EFA is the premier holistic fitness coaching program for equestrians in English and western disciplines looking to improve their balance, position, and athleticism

Jonathan Holling is a wearer of many hast in this world of three-day eventing. He is an accomplished upper level three-day event competitor having first competed at the Kentucky Three-Day Event in 1998. Since this first experience at the top level of his sport, Jonathan has competed at numerous four- and five-star events throughout the United States and Europe. He has competed regularly at the Kentucky Three-Day Event and at Burghley, and was the top placed American on the U.S. Nations Cup team at Boekelo in 2013.

For many years Jo teamed up with Peter Gray, forming Equiventures. In this role Jon was the organizer of four horse trials a year including a CCI* and CCI2* held at the Florida Horse Park. Jon sold Equiventures so that he could focus more on his competitive goals but he is still passionate about maintaining a leadership role in the sport.

Jon is a Level IV ICP Certified Instructor. He has served on the USEA Board of Governors, the Nominating Committee, the Executive Committee, and is currently a co-chair of the Cross-Country Design and Fence Construction Safety Task Force for the USEA. He is also the USEF National Safety Officer for eventing to the FEI, a member of the USEF safety committee, a member of the USEF Competitions Committee, and sits on the Active Athlete Committee. This list goes on and on.

With all of his other responsibilities Jon still prioritizes time with his son, Caiden. He is a veteran of marriage to Jennifer. Jonathan is a huge Green Bay Packers fan, a lover of teenage girl dance music, and a glutton for punishment at his crossfit classes.

Jennifer is an equine veterinarian from Arizona. She has bred, trained, and evented her own horses and is an active competitor. She officiates as an Eventing FEI Veterinarian and annually volunteers as a veterinarian at the Kentucky Three-Day Event. She has been Canada’s Team Veterinarian for eventing, dressage and Para Dressage at various Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games and Pan American Games. Jennifer currently chairs the USEA Equine Safety and Welfare Committee.

Max Corcoran grew up in Manchester, Massachusetts. She started foxhunting with Myopia Hunt out of Pine Grove Stables in South Hamilton, MA. While attending Proctor Academy and Northeastern University, she competed at the Novice and training levels. She went on to work for the O’Connor Event Team from 2001-2012. Max was head groom for Karen and was lucky enough to travel to many championships worldwide. Max gives back to the sport by serving on many committees for USEF and USEA and volunteers around the country at various events. She continues to freelance groom and also organizes horse trials up and down the east coast. She is a previous USEA President and has been most recently named as the USEF Eventing High Performance Program and Team Facilitator.

Ifa Simmonds is a certified fitness performance coach for equestrians with over a decade of experience and creator of The Equestrian Fitness Academy (EFA). He empowers riders through holistic fitness and wellness programs to enhance their performance in the saddle. His primary goal is helping riders improve their riding fitness with greater stability, suppleness, strength, and stamina in the saddle. He's trained a host of equestrians, from leisure trail riders to competitive professional dressage, eventing, western pleasure, horsemanship, reining, hunter/jumper riders, and their riding coaches. Mr. Simmonds combines his expertise through several certifications, including functional fitness, yoga, and pilates, among others, into EFA. He is a rider performance clinician, writer, and presenter who's worked with various organizations like IEA, IHSA, YEDA, USHJA, and more. EFA is the premier holistic fitness coaching program for equestrians in English and western disciplines looking to improve their balance, position, and athleticism

Phyllis competed at the international levels of eventing for over thirty years, and has had success on many different horses, most all of whom she trained herself. In 1988 Phyllis represented the U.S. at the Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, riding Albany II, finishing in 10th place overall. She also represented the U.S. at the Open European Championships at Burghley in 1997, riding Snowy River. She now serves on the USEF Selection Committee. Phyllis owns and operates Windchase, an eventing stable in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where she breeds and trains event horse prospects and offers training and instruction for both horses and riders. She is a Faculty Member of the USEA Eventing Coaches Program, formerly the Instructors’ Certification Program and is a Level V Certified Coach.

Born in England in 1965, Robin Walker has been involved with horses his entire life. Following extensive competition and training experience in the United Kingdom, Robin migrated to the United States in 1996 and gained his official citizenship in 2011. Robin is an active competitor in eventing, as well as competing in Grand Prix jumping events on the East Coast. A strong believer in educating the next generation of equestrians, Robin was one of the founding forces of the ECP (formerly, ICP) and currently resides as both an ECP Faculty member and an ECP Assessor. Robin was certified as a Level V ECP Certified Coach in 2003. He runs a sport horse breeding and training program out of his home base, Maute House Farm, in Grass Lake, Mich. and moves his operation to Ocala, Fla. during the winter.

A career equestrian, Jennifer began riding at age five just outside of Montreal, Canada. Her first experiences with horses included competing at Nationally rated hunter/jumper shows, fox hunting, and ultimately achieving her “A” Pony Club rating. It was through Pony Club that she was first introduced to the sport of Eventing at age 13.

Jennifer’s early career, in addition to her steadfast commitment to competing in and training riders for Eventing, included working for a top hunter/jumper trainer, riding competitively for a big dressage training barn, and starting young Thoroughbreds for the track. Along with these varied positions came the opportunity to groom at an Olympic training camp, and serve as a veterinarian’s assistant at the 1976 Olympic Games; all formative experiences which only served to galvanize her quest to participate in the sport at the highest levels. 

After spending a year in New Zealand riding jumpers and event horses, she returned to the Montreal area and developed an active Eventing training business which grew, as the sport grew, through the 1980s and early 90s. Her special interest lay with developing Young Riders, several of whom represented her home province of Quebec at the NAYRC.

She was recruited in 1992 to manage a private equestrian estate in Northern Illinois and immigrated to the United States. She spent her first ten years there developing a private breeding/training program and starting a family of her own. Once that project was well-established, she began building an active teaching and training program under her own business banner, L’Esprit Equestrian, LLC. In the summer of 2020, L’Esprit Equestrian relocated to the beautiful Jigsaw Farms in Woodstock, Illinois, where they have been hard at work developing a top-quality Eventing and cross-country training facility.

Jennifer is a USEA ECP Level IV Certified Coach, serves on the USEA ECP committee and chaired the committee which produced the USEA Eventing By the Levels Handbook. Recently awarded the Going Forward Grant for licensed officials funded by the Broussard Family Trust, she has successfully completed the requirements to become a “r” Eventing judge. Her interest in developing Young Riders has continued to inspire and produce riders competing at the NAJYRC, and in 2017 she served as the Young Rider coach for Area IV riders, winning the Team Gold Medal in the NAYRC 2* (now 3*) competition. L’Esprit Equestrian continues to flourish as a top Eventing training program, producing riders and horses through all levels of competition, including fielding 11 riders for the 2023 American Eventing Championships. 

Program, (ECP, formerly ICP). She is also a British Horse Society Instructor. She coaches riders in eventing from Beginner Novice to Advanced as well as riders at all levels in show jumping and dressage. Her achievements include Irish Eventing Team Coach for the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Coached individuals at the Atlanta Olympic Games 1996. Coached Gold Medal Irish Young Rider 3 Day Event Team, European Championships, Achwelswang, Germany, in 1995. She has coached at World and European Championships and at all the major international events.

Mary D’Arcy has been a Level V Certified Instructor since 2011. She is a member of the ECP Committee (formerly ICP Committee) and lives and teaches in Area V and throughout the U.S.. Mary was the head coach for the Irish Eventing team for the 2000 and 2004 Olympics and coached individuals at the 1996 Olympics. She also coached the Irish Young Rider Three-Day Event Team to a gold meedal at the European Championships - Achelswang, Germany in 1995.

David O’Connor grew up spending most of his life on horseback. In 1996 he and wife, Karen, became the first couple to compete on the same Olympic team and win a medal when they helped the U.S. to win the team silver at the Atlanta Games. The next year David won the Badminton CCI4*, becoming only the second American to win the coveted title. In 2000, with an Olympic record-breaking score, he won the individual gold medal and was a member of the bronze medal winning team. He has since followed that up with a win at the Rolex CCI4* in 2001, wins at the Radnor CCI2*, and Foxhall Cup CCI3*, team gold from the 2002 World Equestrian Games, a win at the Jersey Fresh CCI2* in 2003, and in 2004 a win at the Foxhall Cup CCI3*. In 2004, he officially retired from international competition to focus on the training of riders and horses. He has always been involved in the administrative side of the sport and now held the position of President of the United States Equestrian Federation from 2004 to 2012. For the past several years David has been the coach of the Canadian Eventing Team and starting in 2013 he will be the Technical Advisor for the U.S. Eventing Team. In addition, David is a much sought after course designer for many venues across the country. Together with his wife he operates a successful teaching and training business at their facilities in The Plains, Virginia and Ocala, Florida. The US Equestrian (USEF) recently announced David O’Connor’s appointment to the newly created position of Chief of Sport.

Karen O’Connor was certified at Level V in 2005. She sits on the ECP Committee (formerly ICP Committee), is an ECP Faculty member, and an ECP Assessor. Karen began competing internationally in 1979, when she was just 21 years old. In 1993. She has competed in five Olympic Games, three World Equestrian Games, and two Pan American Games. In 1993, Karen was the number one ranked lady rider in the world and she has been named U.S. Female Equestrian Athlete 10 times.

Heather Gillette is an eventer through and through.  A current competitor at the 4* level with her own Off the Track Thoroughbred Vincent Chase as well as a USEF  Licensed Eventing Dressage Judge and Technical Delegate.  Owner of Heron's Landing Eventing which is a small boarding and training facility based in Tewksbury, NJ.  Finally, she is the Co-Founder of Strides for Equality Equestrians, SEE, and considers that her most important contribution to the sport of Eventing and Equestrianism as a whole.  

Anastasia (“Stacy”) Curwood grew up in Cambridge, Mass., and started riding at age 9. She has competed at Training Level eventing and Fourth Level dressage as an adult amateur. Stacy received a Ph.D. in U.S. History from Princeton with a specialty in African American History in 2003. She writes about Black women’s intellectual and political work in the 20th century. She published one book in 2010 and has another one on the pathbreaking congresswoman Shirley Chisholm forthcoming. She is a professor at the University of Kentucky. In 2021 she competed her own OTTB Rock Hard Attitude and Kelsie Bricker’s Loughan Glen, a former Team USA event horse, in dressage.

Sharyn has played an active role in US Eventing for the last 25 years. She is the secretary and co-organizer for the Millbrook Horse Trials (NY) and is also the event secretary for the Carolina International (NC). In addition to her organizing roles, Sharyn also holds a USEF ‘R’ Eventing Technical Delegate license.

Sharyn’s involvement on various USEA and USEF committees has grown over the last few years. After being involved with the USEA Area I Council from 2004 through 2021, she joined the USEA Board of Governors as the VP of Competitions in December 2021. She is also a member of the USEF Eventing Sport Committee and more recently the Chair of the USEF Strategic Calendar Review Task Force.

Sharyn’s day-to day work involves working as the Executive Director of the American Horse Trials Foundation [AHTF] and works at the Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center as the Events Manager.

Sharyn was born and raised on her parents’ farm in Southwick MA where she lives today with her own family. She attended Midway College in KY, where she first found her passion for Eventing. Sharyn spent many years in the saddle, both competitively and for pleasure. However, in her free time she enjoys spending it with her two children, Jacob, and Samantha. They are avid fans of all things outdoors, including skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.

Over the years Cathy Wieschhoff has carved out her indisputable place in the world of eventing. She has ridden at the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* and the Burghley CCI4* and is a graduate ‘A’ Pony Clubber,ECP Level V Certified Coach, USEF and FEI Licensed Course Designer for Eventing and Show Jumping, and a Level Two Parelli. She manages, trains, and teaches out of Carriage Station Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, home of the CW Event Team. Cathy also teaches clinics here in the U.S. and overseas. Training off-the-track Thoroughbreds is her forte, having brought several of them up through the levels of eventing. Natural horsemanship plays a huge part in her retraining program, allowing the horses to let go of the track experience and allowing them to be safe, sane, and sound for their second careers.

Malcolm Hook is in his fourth decade of blowing hot air at USEA Annual Meetings.  He has no idea why he wanted to do this in the first place but will admit that it has kept him out of bars and pool halls and to a lesser extent trouble since 1981. 

When at home and not talking, the hot air builds to dangerously high levels and he must be weighted down with a Labrador Retriever to keep him from floating up the ceiling.

Malcolm is a licensed “S” level USEF Eventing Technical Delegate and a past member of the USEA Board of Governors.

Dr. Temple Grandin is a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Facilities she has designed for handling livestock are used by many companies around the world. She has also been instrumental in implementing animal welfare auditing programs that are used by McDonalds, Wendy’s, Whole Foods, and other corporations. Temple has appeared on numerous TV shows such as 20/20 and Prime Time. Her books include: Thinking in Pictures, Livestock Handling and Transport and The Autistic Brain. Her books Animals in Translation and Visual Thinking have been on the New York Times Bestseller List. Temple was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in September 2017 and in 2022 was named a Colorado State University Distinguished Professor.

Cindy Deporter has been a member of the USEA since 1977.  She is a FEI Level 3 Technical Delegate and a FEI Level 2 Judge. She is an amateur rider and this year. She retired from the State of North Carolina as the State Agency Director in 2021.  Cindy has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a member of the Competitions Scheduling Committee, and Chairperson for the Licensed Officials Committee. Cindy is also on the Competition Scheduling Committee Cindy bought a new young horse this year and is looking forward to progressing Jacquar's Grace's career.

Malcolm Hook is in his fourth decade of blowing hot air at USEA Annual Meetings.  He has no idea why he wanted to do this in the first place but will admit that it has kept him out of bars and pool halls and to a lesser extent trouble since 1981. 

When at home and not talking, the hot air builds to dangerously high levels and he must be weighted down with a Labrador Retriever to keep him from floating up the ceiling.

Malcolm is a licensed “S” level USEF Eventing Technical Delegate and a past member of the USEA Board of Governors.

In December of 2015, Rob Burk took over as the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Eventing Association (USEA). Prior to his appointment as CEO, he served as the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Director of Programs for the USEA. Rob draws much of his experience from previous roles as an Executive Director and Senior Adviser within the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and as the Executive Director of a Governor-appointed statewide equine industry advisory board and stable inspection/licensing program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture. He has provided advice and guidance to four Secretaries of Agriculture and two Governors. Rob has evented throughout his life with notable success as a Young Rider in California. He graduated from Otterbein University with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Pre-Graduate Equine Studies and earned a Master of Science from Virginia Tech. Rob, a graduate ‘H-A’ Pony Clubber, attributes his successes to his upbringing through Pony Club and his trainers and mentors based in California, Ohio, Maryland, and Ireland as well as his family. 

Growing up in New Brunswick, Canada and northern Maine along the U.S./Canadian border, John Bourgoin's riding life began with trail riding and competing in local Western horse shows. While attending college in Vermont, Bourgoin was introduced to the local hunter/jumper scene where he spent time learning how to ride in an English saddle and proceeded to enter the world of jumping horses. While boarding a horse at a local stable, Bourgoin also began volunteering and helping out with the Charlotte Pony Club. After nearly 40 years, he continues to be one of their main instructors and volunteers yearly for their annual Horse Trials. Bourgoin is still an active competitor and has developed and competed his own horses through every national level of the sport. He has also trained and coached riders from Beginner Novice to Advanced. For the last 25 years, he has been very involved in the Area I Young Rider program and several of his students have represented Area I as team members, earning team and individual medals at the North American Youth Championships. He continues to serve as a team selector and clinician for the program. In 2013, Bourgoin was the recipient of the USEA’s Cornerstone Award. Having retired from public school teaching after 38 years, Bourgoin now has the opportunity to work full time with clients and their horses. Bourgoin and his wife, Alice, own and operate Arbrook Farm in North Ferrisburgh, Vermont.

As an Advanced Level event rider, Rebecca runs RB Riding as a competitive, FEI level Eventing program at Estrella Farms. Born and raised in the Dallas area, Rebecca’s long list of accomplishments in the world of Eventing have taken her places she never dreamed.

Rebecca’s most notable accomplishments include:

• USEA ECP Level IV Certified Instructor
• USDF Bronze and Silver Medallist
• Winner of 2017 Colorado CCI***-L
• Winner of 2005 Jersey Fresh CCI***-L,
• Multiple top 10 FEI placings
• Member of Gold Medal NAJYRC CCI***-L Team
• Winner 2012 USDF/GAIG Region 9 4th Level Championship

Rebecca contributes all of her success to riding extensively with such notable coaches as Jimmy Wofford, Joe Fargis, Becky Brown, Kass Lockhart, Rainey Andrews, Berndt von Hassler, and Melissa Simms and Phillip Dutton, whom she hosts annually for a clinic at Estrella Farm.

Rebecca is co-chair of the USEA Young Riders’ Committee.

Yvonne is a trial lawyer, transactions attorney, and certified mediator who practices in the areas of equine law, employment law, and commercial litigation. Yvonne’s equine law experience includes handling litigation and transactions involving the Equine Activity Liability Act and various other state and federal laws affecting equine industry activities. She assists individual horse owners, trainers, breeders, facilities, veterinarians and others in the equine industry litigate and resolve claims for personal injury, property damage, and other losses caused by allegations of negligence, breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation and other legal issues. She also drafts contracts for horse purchases, sales, and leases, assists with negotiating and drafting employment and independent contractor agreements for equine industry workers, and creates equine liability releases for horse owners, trainers, breeders, facilities, veterinarians, transporters and other individuals and entities sponsoring or participating in equine activities. She also has extensive experience developing multi-owner syndicates for horses in numerous disciplines, including eventing, dressage, and jumpers, as well as creating stallion and mare breeding syndicates. The syndicates completed to date range from several owners to multiple owners, range in value from $5,000 to $850,000 in value, and vary from very young horses beginning their training to mature horses competing at the highest levels of their sport.  Yvonne speaks extensively on the topic of equine law to national and local organizations and competes in Eventing for Area III.

James (Jim) Wolf was born in Nuremburg, Germany and raised in Elkins, West Virginia. He graduated with honors from Bethany College with a BA degree in history. Over the course of his career in equestrian sport he has been a wrangler, groom, fox hunter, eventing competitor, administrator, event organizer and marketing and sponsorship executive. Jim has served as the USET Director of Eventing, USEF Executive Director and Chef d’Mission for the US Equestrian Team at numerous Olympic, Pan American and World Equestrian Games. He has been involved in the organization of many international events including World Equestrian Games, three day events, horse trials and show jumping competitions. He is currently the President of Wolf Sports Group. Jim lives with his wife, former international eventing competitor and US Team rider, Dr. Molly Bliss and their daughter Josselyn Wolf at their home in Barrington, RI.

Ifa Simmonds is a certified fitness performance coach for equestrians with over a decade of experience and creator of The Equestrian Fitness Academy (EFA). He empowers riders through holistic fitness and wellness programs to enhance their performance in the saddle. His primary goal is helping riders improve their riding fitness with greater stability, suppleness, strength, and stamina in the saddle. He's trained a host of equestrians, from leisure trail riders to competitive professional dressage, eventing, western pleasure, horsemanship, reining, hunter/jumper riders, and their riding coaches. Mr. Simmonds combines his expertise through several certifications, including functional fitness, yoga, and pilates, among others, into EFA. He is a rider performance clinician, writer, and presenter who's worked with various organizations like IEA, IHSA, YEDA, USHJA, and more. EFA is the premier holistic fitness coaching program for equestrians in English and western disciplines looking to improve their balance, position, and athleticism

Louise ‘Lou’ Leslie has over 30 years of involvement with USEA. She competes her event horses from the grassroots to FEI levels as each develops into their best potential. From ECP (formerly ICP) Workshops and Assessments to USEA Foundation Grants, Louise spear heads many educational and grant opportunities for the event community with involvement of the many USEA committees. From the local Area councils to National committees, the combined background of 12 years’ experience on the Board of Governors and the USEA Foundation, her tenure as USEA President will incorporate many of the Strategic Planning committee principles; taking care of the membership experience and remaining diligent to eventing sport safety.

Louise resides in Redmond, Washington with her husband, Neil, and two sons, Alexander, and Broderick.  Her backyard barn is filled with competition horses of a variety of eventing experiences: Souvenir a 15-year-old, Irish Sport Horse, is based in Maryland, to gain the East coast experiences;  Cnick Cnack JJM, a 6-year-old, Hanoverian is continuing to progress up the appropriate levels, based on time allowed away from the busy President schedule; and Twenty-Two Deal, a 4-year-old, OTTB, is the new addition from Emerald Downs Racetrack.