United States Eventing Association

The first USEA Classic Series event of 2025 was held at the IEA Horse Trials in Edinburgh, Indiana, from May 30-June 1. We caught up with some of the winners to learn more about their weekends!

Training Three-Day

Lydia McKenzie & Gen Z (33.8)

Riding Lauren McKenzie's Gen Z, an 8-year-old Thoroughbred mare (Tonalist x Steel Shed), Lydia McKenzie took home the win in the Training Three-Day division after moving up from fourth after dressage. She and Gen Z finished on their dressage score ahead of five other competitors.

Novice Three-Day

Sierra Thomas & Five Berg (28.6)

Sierra Thomas led the Novice Three-Day from start to finish, ending on her dressage score of 28.8 with Sarah Thomas’ Five Berg, a 6-year-old Throughbred gelding (Temple City x Bold Print).

Sierra, Wadesville, Indiana, got “Sully” when he was 2 from Jenn O’Neill in Lexington, Kentucky, as a sales project, but, “we can see how that turned out!” she said. “He is now 6, and all the pieces are starting to come together. Sully is a sensitive guy, and he’s really come into himself this year, and I wanted to test his abilities to see where he was at in his training and fitness. I had done the three-day before and knew how much fun it was but also what a great test of the horse’s fitness and skill it was. It was a fantastic opportunity.”

Sierra found that Sully built confidence as he progressed through the phases at IEA and appreciated the opportunity to further his education.

“I am sitting on a Thoroughbred, so obviously steeplechase was the most fun,” she said. “He was so honest and willing; it just flowed so well. The jogs were also super fun, and I loved all the educational meetings and opportunities that were given to us to learn about the three-day. Definitely do your homework so you aren’t overwhelmed when you get there. I was much better this time around ,but the USEA has so many fantastic articles to help you prep from conditioning to the schedule! I am really thankful to all the coaches and friends and family who continue to support me. Also, a big thanks to IEA and USEA for continuing to offer this opportunity!”

Beginner Novice Three-Day

Lucy Stopher & Appalachia (27.2)

Lucy Stopher, 14, has only been eventing for four years, but as a horse-crazy Pony Club kid, the sport called to her, and she fell in love.

In 2022, she started leasing Appalachia, or “Apple,” a 23-year-old Thoroughbred mare (Slew City Slew x Tejano’s Girl), from her own Sarah Snowden, who is currently in nursing school.

She describes the mare as “very athletic, talented, and spunky,” with experience to Training level.

“We have been learning and growing together ever since,” she said. “This past season has definitely been a big highlight, from qualifying for the AEC to winning a national award for the Beginner Novice level. We have had many ups and downs, but it has overall been an amazing opportunity for me as a rider and person. We plan to keep having fun and competing this season!”

Stopher decided to try the three-day this year because of her and her coaches' Deborah Snyder and Sarah Younger's experience helping out in the vet box last year.

“It was so fun,” she recalled. “I loved getting to learn about the behind-the-scenes parts of it all, and the atmosphere of the vet box was so exciting. My coaches also encouraged me by saying it would be good for confidence building and hands-on experience with conditioning and veterinary procedures.”

Stopher, Louisville, Kentucky, found that Apple gained a lot of confidence during the event. The pair led from the start on their dressage score of 27.2 and never relinquished their lead.

“Being a Thoroughbred, she seemed to love the added endurance phases,” she said. “After the steeplechase phase, I felt her confidence and game all the way through cross-country. She was very happy and excited to gallop around even more!

“My favorite part of the competition was going around steeplechase and bonding with my competitors in my division,” she added. “I loved how the event worked so that everyone had opportunities to chat and get to know each other. Whether it was on roads and tracks, in competitor meetings, or during the awards ceremony, everyone would talk and bond over various happenings at the event. It was great to meet people and horses who I never would have without this event.”

Stopher advised any rider looking to do a Classic Three-Day to do their research before the event and take advantage of the USEA’s website for information about each phase, the equipment you need, and conditioning.

“Definitely research as much as you can and ask as many questions as you need to! This event was super educational, confidence building, and fun! I highly recommend getting to one if you are thinking about it,” she said.

For full results, click here.

About the USEA Classic Series

The USEA Classic Series keeps the spirit of the classic long ­format three­-day events alive for Beginner Novice through the Preliminary levels. Competitors can experience the rush of endurance day, including roads and tracks, steeplechase, the vet box, and cross­-country, as well as participate in formal veterinary inspections and educational activities with experts on the ins and outs of competing in a long ­format three-­day event. Riders who compete in a USEA Classic Three-Day Event during the year will have the chance to win a variety of prizes at the events from USEA sponsors and earn leaderboard points. Click here to learn more about the USEA Classic Series.

The USEA would like to thank bronze sponsors D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis Saddles, PulseVet, and Schneiders Saddlery, as well as contributing sponsors Bates Saddles for supporting the USEA Classic Series.