President Message

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Another year has come to a close, and this short break in the calendar provides the opportunity to sit down and reflect on all that has happened in 2021. We contemplate not just our accomplishments but what we’ve experienced and observed, as well. On a personal note, as I recall the past year’s experiences through the eyes of our broad and diverse equestrian community, I am genuinely amazed at all that has transpired.

Once again, our equestrian community proved itself ever-resilient and flexible; words I used last year as we collectively dealt with the onslaught and uncertainties of Covid. Those words continue to be applicable as we’ve adjusted to the ongoing presence of Covid as well as equine bio-security outbreaks. Handling these issues takes true vigilance to protect ourselves, our families, and our horses. It is no surprise to me that equestrians across the country have stepped up and accepted those challenges brilliantly.

The USEF and all of our affiliates have worked diligently to provide the framework for sport – your sport – no matter which breed and/or discipline you participate in. We all rely upon you, our members, to let us know what you like and what you’d like to see, and we adjust. After holding open conversations via webinar, email, and phone calls early in 2021, we recognized the need to address some issues at the forefront of many of our members’ concerns. I appointed two task forces, the Competition Task Force and the Amateur Task Force, to address those concerns. We had representation from a broad swath of our membership base, so they came from many breeds and disciplines, ages and backgrounds, amateurs and professionals alike. The process was daunting, but the appointed volunteers assumed their tasks with what I am coming to learn is typical equestrian gusto. And, it worked. After a full year of many meetings and a great deal of hard work, the two groups successfully addressed our membership’s key concerns and proposed solutions which have now become enacted via the USEF’s rule process.

It’s been a banner year for our sport. From first-time ribbon winners to multiple Olympic and Paralympics medalists, US Equestrians have participated and succeeded at all levels, both nationally and internationally, and in all breeds and disciplines. Whether you are a participant or a fan, you know the thrill of success and accomplishment that comes from all the hard work and effort that goes into making a dream performance come true!

As we head into 2022, I am still so excited about the continued success of our members in their equestrian endeavors. There are still many unrealized goals you all are working towards, and we want to ensure US Equestrian is providing the framework to allow you to achieve those goals. Here at US Equestrian, we too have goals and see opportunities for our sport broadly, and we continue to work on achieving them for the betterment of our sport. If we Ride United, we will all Grow Together.

Thomas F.X. O’Mara, USEF President