Trainer: Carly Weilminster, David O’Connor & Sonja Keating
Length: 17:43 Minutes
Carly Weilminster, US Equestrian Senior Director Sport Communication and Social, asks David and General Counsel and COO Sonja Keating to break down the organization’s horse welfare rules, the reporting process, and potential penalties for horse welfare rule violations.
About the Experts:
Carly Weilminster
Sr. Director Sport Communications & Social Media, USEF
Carly Weilminster is a seasoned media professional with nearly 10 years of experience within the equestrian industry. As Sr. Director of Sport Communications & Social Media for USEF, Carly has worked collaboratively with stakeholders, athletes, and staff to help shape impactful content creation to elevate US Equestrian’s brand and storytelling abilities across the organization’s 25+ owned digital platforms.
Carly’s insights on media activations and content creation strategy have helped develop key fan engagement opportunities and digital growth for US Equestrian at multiple international championships, including the Paris 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Games.
David O’Connor
Chief of Sport, US Equestrian
O’Connor, a decorated Olympian, is no stranger to US Equestrian. David represented the USA for 20 years as an athlete, where he earned individual gold and team bronze medals in Eventing at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics and a team silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. O’Connor joined the USEF team in his current role in October 2022, where he is responsible for working with the Executive Team on the overall international and national sport support of the Strategic Plan, its initiatives including sport integrity, education, and equine and human safety and welfare. Additionally, he provides oversight of the international and national sport operations, ensuring that the Sport Department’s short-term and long-term strategic plans align with USEF’s priorities. He also focuses on strengthening relationships with stakeholder groups such as the USOPC, FEI and USEF's Recognized Affiliates.
David served as USEF President from 2004 to 2012, and he currently serves on the FEI Board of Directors. In 2021, he was presented with the USOPC’s General Douglas MacArthur Exemplary Service Award in recognition of his continued service and commitment to equestrian sports within the Olympic and Paralympic movements.
Sonja Keating
General Counsel & Chief Operating Officer, USEF
Sonja Keating serves as US Equestrian’s Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel. A graduate of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, she obtained her J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1996. She also is a member of the Junior League of Lexington and served four terms on that organization’s Horse Show Board, which hosts the Lexington Junior League Horse Show, one of the nation’s most prestigious events for American Saddlebreds, Hackneys, roadster competitors, Friesians, and saddle seat riders.