Registration is now open for the 2026 US Equestrian Annual Meeting, which will be held at the Omni Hotel in Louisville, Ky., from Jan. 15-18, 2026.
US Equestrian will once again host a series of educational presentations and workshops in a three-day interactive format with the goal of providing hands-on, immediately actionable information to members, affiliates, officials, and competition managers. For those unable to attend the annual meeting in person, full coverage of the sessions will be available in the weeks afterwards on our US Equestrian digital platforms.
The theme of the 2026 annual meeting – “Focus on Things That Make a Difference” -- prioritizes resources and information that can make equestrian competitions more accessible and safer for horses and athletes. This year’s meeting will focus on providing food for thought on competitor safety, costs of showing, risk management, horse welfare, and leadership development. Members in attendance will have a chance to meet the board, committee members, and licensed officials and make their voices heard on rule changes, policy, and more.
The first Board of Directors Meeting of the new year will take place on Sunday, January 18, with an open session, accessible by members. The full schedule is available here.
Click here to register for the annual meeting. Be sure to reserve a hotel room at a specially discounted nightly rate offered to USEF Annual Meeting attendees.
Here’s a preview of the topics and experts who will be on hand at this year’s event:
2026 USEF Annual Meeting Sessions & Speakers:
Licensed Officials Workshop
Speakers: Grania Williams, former FEI director of press relations
Dr. Stuart Brown, Vice President of Equine Safety at Keeneland
Dr. Sandra Serafini, retired FIFA soccer referee
Bill Topp, President of National Association of Sports Officials
Cindy Reid, USEF ‘R’ Steward and Dressage Technical Delegate
Open to all licensed officials, applicants, and those interested in officiating. A variety of mini sessions will revolve around navigating difficult conversations. Learn from other sports about their processes for handling difficult calls and what it takes to educate officials to be confident in those decisions. Help prepare for equestrian and mainstream media questions about competitions and learn about social media etiquette in the horse show environment. Participants will examine real-world case studies about officiating decisions related to horse welfare.
Competition Managers Media Training
Speakers: Grania Williams, former FEI director of press relations
Grania Williams will lead media training for competition managers in the first part of this session, including helping prepare for handling trade or mainstream media in the event of a crisis, and learning social media etiquette and how to handle challenges in the horse show environment.
Competitions: Costs, Accessibility and Standards
Speakers: Britt McCormick, USHJA president
Michael Stone, Wellington International president
Lisa Blackstone, Arabian Horse Association president
This session will include perspective from a range of stakeholders on the rising costs of equine competitions – where those cost changes come from, how those changes impact riders at a range of levels/locations, and what lies ahead.
Risk Management: The Fabulous Doom and Gloom Show
Speakers: Randy Melcher, ESIX Entertainment & Sports Insurance Experts
Steve Smith, partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
This session will highlight key considerations for event organizers and affiliate leaders with regard to liability and insurance across constituencies, as well as tips for getting events and organizations adequately insured.
Getting Governance Right
Speaker: David Patterson, Ph. D., USOPC Sr. Governance Advisor
This session explores the core responsibilities that volunteers in governance hold and guides attendees through the importance of upholding ethical standards, demonstrating respect and integrity in interactions, and fostering a culture of accountability and transparency. You'll learn more about the significance of representing an organization positively, both internally and externally.
IT Tech Appointments
One on one sessions will be available with USEF’s IT department to allow competition managers to test drive the new EZ Entry software premiering in 2026, and to get member feedback on the USEF website and US Equestrian app.
Equestrian Safety: Are We Ready?
Speakers: David O’Connor, USEF Chief of Sport
Dr. Mark Hart, USEF Chairman Human and Equine Safety & Welfare Committee
Katlynn Wilbers, USEF Director of Competition Operations, Staff Liaison Human and Equine Safety Committee
Kristy Arbogast, PhD., Scientific Director, Minds Matter Concussion Program Research Director. CHOP
Christina L. Master, MD, FAAP, CAQSM, FANSSM, Pediatrician and Sports Medicine Specialist, CHOP
If you ride, it is likely you will fall or get injured at some point, no matter how experienced you are. Find out the latest statistics on falls and injuries across every USEF discipline, learn how one sport has driven a reduction in falls and injuries, and how we are looking to improve outcomes for everyone. Hear how changing culture, appropriate protocols, and the latest advances in protective equipment, diagnosis, treatment, and early identification of head injuries can make all the difference.
Technology In Sport
Speakers: Tyler Noble, USA Track and Field
Jennifer Mitchell, PT, Cert DN, VRS, MST, Atlantic Physical Therapy
Dr. Rick Mitchell, DVM, MRCVS, Dipl. ACVSMR, Fairfield Equine
What can equestrian sports learn from other sports? Many are using technology to make tiny tweaks to performance with significant results. This session is designed to inspire and encourage equestrians to explore the possibilities in other sports and adapt them to our needs.
What Does Sustainability Mean for Equestrian Sport?
Speakers: R Scott Evans, creative director, Green is the New Blue
Megan Fellows, CEO, Carbon Hoofprint
Lee Carter, executive director, Kentucky Horse Park
How can horse shows make themselves more environmentally friendly and sustainable? From the big picture to the small details, this panel will examine changes that can be made at any scale.
Leadership & Coach Development
Speakers: Jessie and Mike Kohn, partners, People Academy
This session will examine the gaps that exist in traditional leadership and coaching education and explore what true leadership entails in today’s athletic environment. Discussion will focus on the critical role of self-awareness, the development of intrapersonal and interpersonal skills, and the Top Ten Leadership Attributes that define effective leaders. Participants will gain insight into how greater self-understanding—and an awareness of others—can strengthen relationships, enhance communication, and create more meaningful connections with those they lead.
Get to Know Your Leaders: Board of Directors Round Table
Ever wanted to get to know the people charged with leading USEF? This round table discussion will help you better understand board members’ experience as horsepeople and as leaders, and the role of the board in the governing body. Have a question you want to see discussed? Email [email protected].
Rule Change Forum
Join fellow members for an open discussion on USEF's proposed rule changes. This is an official opportunity to engage directly with USEF leadership, ask clarifying questions, and provide essential feedback on potential amendments to the rulebook, covering areas such as equine welfare, safety, competition fairness, and more.
General Session
Speakers: Bill Moroney, CEO, USEF
Sonja Keating, COO and General Counsel, USEF
David O’Connor, Chief of Sport, USEF
Vicki Lowell, Chief Marketing and Content Officer, USEF
Mike Delahanty, Chief Financial Officer, USEF
Tom O’Mara, President, USEF
This session (which will be recorded and available for those who cannot attend) will give a snapshot of the organization’s finances, programs, and progress with respect to US Equestrian’s strategic plan. A key focus this year will be helping members understand what their fees cover – and what they don’t.
Annual Awards Galas
Two signature award galas take center stage in the evenings. On Thursday, January 15, the Pegasus Awards Celebration will recognize the industry’s notable and dedicated equestrians for their annual and ongoing achievements, as well as prestigious Equestrian of the Year honors. On Saturday, January 17, the SmartPak/USEF Horse of the Year Awards Celebration will memorialize the top participants and point-earners from the 2025 competition year.
This year’s annual meeting location is at the Omni Hotel in downtown Louisville, Ky. Conveniently located near the Louisville International Convention Center, you can explore what makes Kentucky truly unique. From baseball bats and bourbon to the iconic Churchill Downs that hosts the Kentucky Derby, you are not far from adventures that will make your trip special. For more things to do, please click here.
US Equestrian has secured a discounted nightly group room rate of $185 plus tax. Included in the rate are guest rooms that feature high-speed internet access, a built-in entertainment system, and a gorgeous view of the Louisville skyline. The hotel features many opportunities to dine in, including the Library Bar, Neighborhood Services, and Bob's Steak and Chop House. Looking for an after-dinner drink? Look no further than Pin + Proof, Omni’s Prohibition-style speakeasy. Need to take a few moments to yourself? Then the full-service Mokara spa is calling your name. To reserve your room, please click here.
The deadline to make hotel reservations using the US Equestrian discounted nightly rate is December 23 at 5 p.m.