The United Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is excited to welcome leading high-performance coach and nervous system expert, Natalie Hummel, to this year’s USEA Annual Meeting & Convention as the keynote speaker. Hummel has long been trusted by some of the world’s top professional athletes, from Olympians to emerging rising stars, helping them unlock a version of success that is sustainable on and off the field.
Hummel’s approach goes beyond traditional sports psychology by targeting the root of performance under pressure: the nervous system. Drawing from neuroscience and somatic integration, she helps elite athletes rewire their physiological response to stress so they can access clarity, consistency, and flow when it matters most.
In her keynote address, Hummel will present a bold vision for the future of equestrian sport. With unprecedented scrutiny, from the macro-level challenges of horse welfare and the social license to operate, to the personal disillusionment of riders questioning the sport’s validity, she challenges the USEA community to shift the narrative from one of defense to one of pride, possibility, and progress.
“Eventing is at a turning point. We can choose to defend against the pressures facing our sport, or we can rise to meet them with courage, clarity, and pride,” explained Hummel. “My vision is that every rider—whether Olympian or amateur—has the tools to regulate under pressure, to lead with integrity, and to model a future where the health of horse and human are inseparable. Together, we can tell a new story of excellence that inspires the world.”
Through her work at the intersection of elite performance coaching and nervous system science, Hummel will draw a powerful parallel between the collective health of the sport and the internal state of each rider. With a regulated nervous system as both metaphor and method, she illustrates how individuals and the sport as a whole can lead, compete, and live from a place of grounded strength, unlocking a higher standard of excellence and integrity.
This keynote will be both a rallying call and a roadmap that invites every rider, from hobbyist to professional, to take part in shaping the future story of eventing.
“We are excited to have Natalie Hummel share her positive, thoughtful approach to bettering the sport,” said USEA CEO, Rob Burk. “Mental health is topic that is at the forefront of conversations on athletic performance in the 21st century, and the USEA values the opportunity to share this message with our members. We urge you to come prepared to engage in the discussion.”
Join us in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Dec. 11-14 for Hummel’s keynote address! Hotel reservations, transportation information, local must-do tourist activities, and dining options in New Orleans can be found at useventing.com/membership/convention. Registration for the 2025 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention will open on Oct. 1, and hotel rooms in the USEA block can be reserved today by clicking here. Stay tuned for more information.
If you have any other questions or suggestions, please contact Jennifer Hardwick by email at [email protected] or by phone at (703) 779-0440, ext. 3003.
About the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention
The USEA Annual Meeting & Convention takes place each December and brings together a large group of dedicated USEA members and supporters to discuss, learn, and enjoy being surrounded by other eventing enthusiasts. The USEA organizes multiple seminars in addition to committee meetings, open forums, and tons of fun! The 2025 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Dec. 11—14. Click here to learn more about the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention.
The USEA would like to thank the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention Sponsors: Adequan, ARMA, Bates Saddles, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Gallops Saddlery, Horse & Country, Kerrits, Marshall+Sterling, Nunn Finer, Nutrena, PulseVet, Rebecca Farm, RevitaVet, Ride iQ, Schneiders Saddlery, Standlee, and World Equestrian Brands.
When Sarah Lawrence announced in late-January that she was launching an Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) team in the Tryon, North Carolina, area, she hoped three riders might raise their hands. Two weeks later—just in time to submit her roster—she had a dozen.
Day 2 at the Aspen Farms Horse Trials, presented by Tin Men Supply, and the USEA Area VII Championships brought picture-perfect weather and high spirits as over 300 riders and horses took on the thrill of cross-country and the precision of show jumping.
he second day of competition during The Fork at Tryon International presented by YanmarAmerica included both show jumping and cross-country phases across multiple divisions.
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