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Give Eventing a "Leg Up"! Donate to the USEA and support these programs!
The Following Special Studies need your support: Equine Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research Study This study will concentrate on how efficiently a horse’s cardiovascular and pulmonary systems function when galloping and jumping across country, and will be seeking answers to such questions as: Are our horses hearts working harder now than in the past? Does the short format increase pressures in the lung vessels? Can ? We are also delighted to report that MacKinnon Ice Horse, makers of some of the finest equine cooling products available is lending its full support to this important study by donating a portion of all proceeds to the USEA for this effort. “The well-being of the horse is of the utmost importance to Ice Horse,” said Chuck Dumbrell, CEO of MacKinnon Ice Horse. “That is why Ice Horse is supporting this vital research into the equine cardiovascular and pulmonary systems and we encourage everyone to join us.” The fundraising goal for the first phase of this study in this fiscal year 2009 is $30,000 and we are already over half way there with $17,500 in the bank.
Frangible Fence Technology Research Study The USEA has committed to making a grant to the USEF to cover the first phase of the study into frangible fence technology being conducted by the University of Kentucky College of Engineering. Eric Grulke, Suzanne Weaver Smith, Katie Kahmann, Michelle Tucker, Ben Matar and John Greenwell are members of the University of Kentucky Engineering Team who will conduct the study which will cover the evaluation of jump designs for improved horse and rider safety with a focus on in-field mechanical testing, analysis and design, materials evaluation and construction cost estimation divided into the following tasks. 1. Field Testing of Prototype Breakaway Safety Features This task will provide immediate results for a hinged gate concept to demonstrate the process and value of the overall project, including the presentation of results. Throughout the project, field testing will be conducted to demonstrate and verify safety features of new concepts and designs. Standard video, high-speed video and/or motion tracking of horse/rider dynamics at local events will also be conducted in order to support design and verification efforts. 2. Design and Analysis of New Concepts New concepts such as the strap-and-snap breakaway concept and fundamental questions such as the effect of deformable or sliding/breakaway contact points, develop designs, perform Monte Carlo and finite-element analyses to evaluate performance. 3. Materials Evaluation Laboratory and field testing of materials contributing to design and to evaluation of concepts constructed with standard materials, foam (Prolog) and other novel materials will be undertaken. Standard testing methods will be used where applicable, but it is anticipated that novel materials may require non-standard testing approaches. The USEA believes that this is one of the most important projects needing support as it speaks to one of our key guiding principles: the welfare of both horse and rider. “We are working on all types of frangible technology and while it may not prevent a fall, we hope it will minimize the effects of one.” said USEF President and FEI course designer, David O’Connor. “The U.S. has the second largest number of starters in the world and we have long wanted to form a bigger partnership with other countries doing similar studies. It is exciting that the researchers from Britain’s Bristol University, who have been working on these studies for a few years, and researchers from our own University of Kentucky are now able to bounce ideas back and forth about frangible technology as we all work to improve safety.” The USEA is privileged to announce that upon hearing of this major study, Tom Spalding of SpaldingLabs, the Fly Predator® folks, immediately agreed to make his company the founding corporate donor. “I hope that others will see the immense value in a study such as this and join me in helping the USEA secure the financial support needed to get the job done,” said Tom from his company’s headquarters in Arroyo Grande, California. “Eventing is a truly exciting sport and both horses and riders are amazing athletes. They deserve our best efforts to insure the courses over which they compete are to the highest safety standard possible. This work should lead to new generation of still challenging, yet much safer, fences that will benefit Eventers and their horses for years to come.” This two-year project has a total cost of $160,000. Our immediate goal is to reach $30,000 by April 30th. Spearheaded by former international event rider, John Staples, and Dr. Reed Ayers, upper level event rider and a Research Assistant Professor at the Colorado School of Mines (Department of Metallurgical and Materials Science), this study aims to monitor horses and riders on the cross-country course to determine the speeds at which the courses are being negotiated. Some surprising data has already come to light as to the excessive speeds some riders have achieved in order to complete courses inside the time. While the study will be ongoing throughout the year coaches have already been able to use the data to educate students on the importance of pace. The goal is to raise $10,000 this year which will go towards the cost of purchasing the satellite navigation systems and the software required to carry out the study.
We offer the following programs year round:
You may make your tax deductible donation to the USEA directly where it will be used during the current year to make eventing more safe and enjoyable. You can be sure that your gift will be put to the best possible use as we all work to make the eventing experience a reality for as many horse lovers as possible. Workplace giving campaigns offer a convenient way to make payroll deduction contributions to the USEA. Such workplace giving campaigns include: The United Way Campaign; State, City, and Local Government campaigns; and other workplace giving programs. State, City, and Local Government Employee Campaigns Employees of these agencies may also contribute to the USEA at their workplace if the foundation meets the agency's eligibility criteria. Specifically designating the USEA in campaigns where eligibility has not yet been determined is often the catalyst for the USEA becoming eligible. Non-Government Giving Campaigns Many non-governmental employers offer their employees workplace giving in lieu of participating in community-based campaigns such as the United Way.
It is simple to make a charitable contribution in the form of individual stocks or mutual funds. Securities that have increased in value may be worth more in tax savings. These gifts are generally deductible for their full value if owned longer than a year. They also allow you to avoid the capital gains tax that would otherwise be collected from their sale. If you have traditional retirement accounts and are over 59 ˝ years of age, you might think of making withdrawls sufficient to fund your charitable gifts. Simply report the income on your tax return, and then take a corresponding deduction for your charitable contribution. This plan usually results in a "wash" for tax purposes, but allows you to use additional retirement funds in a manner that ensures they will, in effect, never be subjected to income, estate, or gift taxes. Soon many charitably-minded people will find that they can leave more of their estate to their family free of gift and estate taxes. This change will pave the way for the inclusion of more charitable gifts in one's long-term estate plans. While reviewing your financial situation this year, please keep the following in mind. Don't hesitate to call the U.S. Eventing Association should you have any questions or desire information to complete your charitable gift before year's end. We can put you in touch with a number of professionals who would be pleased to assist you in reviewing your financial situation. Many individuals are concerned about the future of eventing. That is why they have provided a legacy of freedom in their estate planning by contributing to the programs and activities of the USEA. You can also join these generous individuals as members of the U.S. Eventing Association by your commitment to the USEA through your will or other planned gift. Planned gifts benefit both the individual and the U.S. Eventing Association. Such a gift is usually the result of careful financial and/or estate planning, and is often combined with current gifts as part of an overall giving program. These gifts include trusts, bequests, personal property, life insurance and gifts of real property subject to a life estate. Each of these forms of giving is closely regulated by law and requires special arrangements and tax treatment. One's legacy can be furthered through a gift to the USEA. As a permanent source of funding for educational programs through the USEA will provide the opportunity to change the course of history. A gift to the USEA is a gift for the future, as it will ensure that support for the work of the USEA is forever available in the years and generations to come. Donate Online By far the easiest way you can contribute to the USEA, just click on the following link to the USEA Dashboard and log in to donate. |
Inside USEA Shortcuts
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