At the 2025 Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Carleton Brooks, along with friends Chris Wynne and Daniel Geitner, noticed a pervasive negativity among professionals, especially younger participants, marked by complaints about judging and poor communication. Recognizing that this atmosphere was widespread and that little was being done to address the root causes, the trio decided to take action. By December, they founded the U.S. Equestrian Trainers Association (USETA), a nonprofit aimed at unifying voices within the hunter/jumper community to foster constructive dialogue, improve education, and develop leadership focused on horsemanship, equine welfare, rider safety, and sport integrity.

USETA’s mission centers on collaboration with governing bodies like the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF), horse show officials, and professionals to address industry challenges without antagonism. The organization seeks to open communication lines and work cooperatively rather than confrontationally, emphasizing solutions over blame. With nearly 400 members and a diverse advisory board, USETA aims to rebuild community and mentorship within the sport, promoting a positive and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.