Lexington, Kentucky—The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Sonja Keating as CEO, effective January 1, 2027. Keating is currently serving as USEF’s chief operating officer and general counsel and will succeed Bill Moroney, who is retiring at the end of 2026 after leading the organization for more than a decade.

The appointment concludes a comprehensive national search led by a board search committee chaired by USEF President Tom O’Mara and conducted in partnership with executive search firm Korn Ferry.

Before contacting candidates, the committee surveyed membership and held one-on-one conversations with athletes, affiliate leaders and directors to identify the qualities, experience and leadership approach needed in the next CEO. That input, along with the role’s responsibilities and leadership benchmarks developed with Korn Ferry, established the criteria used to evaluate each candidate.

Using these criteria informed by members and stakeholders, Korn Ferry identified more than 100 prospects across equestrian sport, national governing bodies, membership associations and commercial leadership. Internal and external candidates underwent the same process and were evaluated using the same interviews, assessments and reference checks.

“Our members told us what they needed from the next CEO, and the committee used that input to evaluate a strong national field through a rigorous, consistent process. Sonja emerged as the strongest candidate against those criteria. She combines understanding of the sport with the operational experience to lead this organization and a plan for the future,” O’Mara said. “Most importantly, she demonstrated that the welfare of the horse and the needs of our membership will be at the center of her leadership and the Federation’s decisions. The Board is confident she is the right leader for the next chapter.”

Keating said she is honored to lead US Equestrian and grateful to the Board, members and Moroney for his partnership and his years of service. “Our purpose is to serve members, protect horse welfare, and uphold fairness, safety and enjoyment. Those responsibilities will guide every decision I make,” she said. “There is important work ahead, and I am excited to get started.”

Keating joined USEF in 2006 and served as general counsel before being named COO in 2022 while retaining her legal responsibilities. She has represented USEF with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the Fédération Equestre Internationale and USEF’s affiliate organizations.

“Sonja has been a trusted partner to this organization and to me, and she has earned this through the quality of her work and her commitment to our members,” Moroney said. “I am confident in the Federation’s future under her leadership and will do everything I can to support her.”

Moroney will continue to lead through December 31, 2026, before Keating assumes her new role on January 1, 2027. Over the next 90 days, Keating and Moroney will work together closely on the transition.

A Personal Note From US Equestrian President Tom O’Mara

Following the news of Keating’s appointment, US Equestrian President Tom O’Mara shared a letter to members that you can read here.

Dear US Equestrian Members,

Late yesterday the Board of Directors appointed Sonja Keating as the next CEO of US Equestrian, effective January 1, 2027. Sonja currently serves as our chief operating officer and general counsel and will succeed Bill Moroney, who retires at the end of this year.

 I want to tell you how we got here, because you were part of it. Before the search committee considered any candidate, we put a survey out to membership asking what you wanted in our next leader. Many of you took the time to answer, and we shared what we heard in open webinars. What we heard from you helped inform the profile of our next CEO, together with the responsibilities of the role and a leadership benchmark developed with Korn Ferry.

We then ran a national search with Korn Ferry. More than 100 leaders from equestrian sport, other national governing bodies, membership organizations and the commercial world were considered. Every candidate, from inside the Federation or outside it, went through the same interviews, assessments and references. Sonja was the strongest fit for the role’s demands and what you told us you need.

Sonja came to the committee with a clear plan to communicate with you directly and regularly, to close the loop on issues you raise, and to advocate for and support our membership across every breed and discipline.

Thank you to all of you for your voice in this process.

Sincerely,

Thomas F.X. O’Mara, US Equestrian President