Mary Fike has been a dedicated member of the eventing community for over 50 years, participating in various roles such as competitor, volunteer, secretary, and organizer. She plays a key role in organizing two Classic Series events each year, the IEA Horse Trials & Classic Three-Day in the spring and the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event in the fall. Fike’s passion for the Classic Series stems from the educational opportunities it provides for competitors to learn and grow their partnership with their horse.
Fike’s involvement in the Classic Series began in the early 2000s when she introduced a Training Three-Day division at the Mayfest Horse Trials. Despite initial skepticism from traditionalists, the division gained popularity and attracted many competitors. Fike’s commitment to preserving the long format of eventing led her to serve as an organizer representative on the Classic Three-Day Event Task Force, which focuses on expanding educational opportunities and ensuring program rules are up to date.
In an effort to enhance educational opportunities for Classic Three-Day competitors, Fike and her team will be introducing a panel of clinicians at the IEA Horse Trials & Classic Three-Day event this year. The Task Force is also working to identify pace schooling locations throughout the country to help competitors prepare for their Classic Three-Day debut. Entries for the IEA H.T. & Classic 3DE open on April 15, and competitors interested in participating in other Classic Three-Day events in 2025 can view the full calendar on the USEA website.
