USEA Convention Program

31 convention speakers David O'Connor for several years. Kate graduated the University of Mar y Washington in 2011 with a Business Administration degree and a focus in marketing, but took a few years to continue her riding career, working and riding still under OCET, but spending more time working under the expertise of rising star, Lauren Kieffer. Kate considers all her past employers and coaches to be family, and attributes much of her success of where she is today, to them. She now pairs her Business degree with her passion for eventing and works full time for the USEA, and loves ever y minute of it! ABIGAIL LUFKIN Abigail Lufkin began riding at age 3 and began competing in horse trials when she was 11. Abigail had substantial success as a young rider, winning multiple gold and silver medals at the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships. She competed extensively in the United States and Europe with top-10 finishes at such events as Rolex, Fair Hill, Blenheim, Luhmulen and Saumur. Abigail won medals at the Pan American games, competed at the World Championships and was selected for the 2000 Olympic team in Sydney before having to withdraw due to her horse sustaining an injur y. Sports Psychology was an essential part of Abigail's success. Upon retiring from eventing, she received her Masters degree in clinical psychotherapy and continued to study Sports Psychology. She resides in Santa Monica, California where she has her own Performance Coaching practice. Abigail assists individuals across the United States, many of them equestrians, to achieve their personal and competitive goals. BILL MERFY Bill Merfy is a graduate of the Oklahoma State Horseshoeing school. Has been a farrier for 35 years, a member of the Western States Farrier Association and was the farrier in residence for 13 years at the University of California, Davis Veterinar y Medical Teaching Hospital. He taught Veterinar y students Hoof Anatomy and care as well as how to shoe for a variety of conditions. JODI MORT Jodi Mort started with the American Horse Trials Foundation in 2012. She is currently the Assistant Director and manages the day-to-day operations of the Foundation. She resides in Clinton, Mar yland. RUSSELL K. MUELLER M.S. PAS Russell Mueller has a B.S. in Anumal Science from Kansas State and a M.S. in Equine Nutrition from Oklahoma State. He currently is the innovation and NPSS Manager for Cargill Animal Nutrition. Russell developed farm nutrition programs for farms of all sizes for the Cargill Equine Enterprise Team including Disney World and has conducted nutritional seminars all over the countr y. He was the research leader for Progressive Nutrition Research trial and presented clinical rounds at K-State and CSU veterinar y schools. Russell is a lifetime AQHA member and an AQHA champion competitor. MARILYN PAYNE Marilyn Payne is an FEI 4* Eventing Judge and a USEF "S" Dressage Judge. She was the President of the Ground Jur y at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, the 2010 World Equestrian Games, as has judged at the Olympics in Hong Kong and each of the six four-stars in the world. Marilyn is also a distinguished trainer and competitor as well as being co-chair of the USEA's Young Event Horse (YEH) Committee. Marilyn frequently teaches judges seminars in the USA and overseas for both USEF, FEI and YEH judges. She resides with her husband Dick at their Applewood Farm in Oldwick, N.J. and in her down time you can find her

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