It’s no secret that owning a horse is expensive. Add in some competition goals, and the price tag to be an equestrian athlete can become steep real quick.
But why is affordably so unattainable in this sport?
Heels Down Mag invites you to join us for a thoughtful conversation about affordability and access in horse sports. On Thursday, July 30 at 6:30 P.M. EST, join us on Zoom for a virtual discussion with a panel of equestrian leaders and show organizers who will share their own experiences and ideas on how to move the conversation forward.
Meet The Panel:
Max Corcoran is the President of the U.S. Eventing Association. A longtime groom to Olympians Karen and David O’Connor, Max traveled and cared for horses at the Olympic Games, World Championships, Pan American Games, and numerous CCIs all over North America and Europe. She’s long been a passionate advocate for horsemanship and horse welfare. She’s served on the USEA Board of Governors, the Eventing Riders Association of North America, and the Equine Safety Committee. Max organizes Middleburg Horse Trials and helps organize Great Meadow International, The Event at Rebecca Farm, The Fork, Ocala Horse Trials, Ocala Jockey Club, the Tryon 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, and many others.
Mary Babick is the President of the U.S. Hunter/Jumper Association. She’s been a professional in the sport since 1978 and is a USHJA Certified Trainer. Mary has trained many riders in the hunters, jumpers and equitation from the very beginning to the top levels of competition. Mary served as a member of the USHJA Board of Directors since 2010, and was the Hunter Discipline Vice President and a member of the Executive Committee since 2012 before being elected President in 2016.
Erin Gilmore is a photographer and equestrian journalist based in Northern Virginia. She’s covered and photographed some of the biggest equestrian venues and events in the world, including the Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games and Pan American Games. When she isn’t behind the camera, she’s competing in the hunters on her own horse and contributing regularly to Heels Down Mag.
Samantha Franklin is the manager of the Morven Park Equestrian Center in Virginia, which hosts spring and fall horse trials, an annual carriage show, and a hunter summer show series. In this role, Samantha is able to combine her passion for horses with business.
Join us this Thursday July 30 at 6:30 ET on Zoom at this link.
Meeting ID: 827 3698 4778
Passcode: 816543