Update on U.S. Eventing from the Annual Meeting

Updated: December 27, 2008

1.  The Training Level Three-Day Event.  The USEA is pleased to announce that the Training-level Three-day Event will be included in the USEA/USEF Endorsement Agreement for 2009.  This gives the “T3D” the same fully sanctioned status as regular USEA training level divisions.  A committee made up of the organizers of these competitions (eight of which were held across the nation in 2008, with more being added to the schedule for 2009) is currently at work defining specifications and standards for 2009. Drugs and medications fees will apply but the USEA will waive starter fees in an effort to encourage participation on the part of organizers and competitors.   A proposal has been made to require completion of a Training-level Three-day Event as a qualification for riders wishing to move up to the Preliminary level for the first time, and while this will not be in place for 2009 it may be introduced as a rule change proposal in the near future.   Strong support for this concept was expressed by both the USEA Board of Governors and the USEF Eventing Technical Committee, as well as in the Organizers’ Committee Open Forum and the Professional Horsemen’s Council, during the USEA Convention in New Orleans.  The feeling of all concerned is that the Training Three-Day Event is an important component of the horsemanship education of our up-and-coming riders and indeed of all Eventers.  The USEA  encourages all of its members to becoming involved in the T3D!

We are also thrilled that SmartPak™ has signed on as the title sponsor of this educational series. Read the latest press release for more information on this new partnership or check out the T3DE page for more information.

2.    The Classic Format CCI/CCN*.   In 2008, five CCI* with steeplechase competitions were held in the United States.  The FEI has since decided to remove all reference to phases A, B, and C from its rulebook.  That means that all long-format one-star three day events in the United States in 2009 will be run as national three-day events (“CCN”).  We are pleased to report that our stalwart classic format organizers are determined to run classic CCN* competitions in 2009.  Additionally, the USEF Eventing Technical Committee is petitioning the FEI to secure “qualifier” status for these competitions under FEI rules.  As a parallel to the case with the Training Level Three-Day Event discussed above, a proposal was made at the USEF Eventing Technical Committee to require completion of a classic CCN* by riders who are planning to move up to intermediate level for the first time.  While this requirement will not be put into place for 2009, it remains under consideration.

Both the USEF Eventing Technical Committee and the USEA Board of Governors expressed their strong support for the classic format one-star CCN and their appreciation of the organizers who are keeping this important format alive.  In addition, overwhelming support was expressed at the Organizers Committee meeting in New Orleans for expanding these competitions with the goal of making them qualifiers to move up to intermediate level in the future.

The USEA encourages all of its members to get involved in the classic three-day event at both the Training Level and the One-Star level.

3.   The Technical Merit Award.  As a means of encouraging Organizers to take creative and innovative steps to provide as much fun and education for their competitors as possible, the USEA Board of Governors at its Sunday morning meeting in New Orleans passed a resolution endorsing the concept of a Technical Merit Award, to be used on a non-mandatory, purely voluntary, positive and educational manner, and at the discretion of Organizers, during USEA recognized competitions in 2009.   This award, which was proposed by the Professional Horsemen’s Council, would be a standalone award (like “best turnout” or “best conditioned horse”) which organizers may choose to implement in one or more divisions at the beginner novice through preliminary levels.   The idea is to assess the technical merit of competitors’ riding over some portion (i.e. several jumps) on the cross-country course.  The award is designed to encourage riders to improve their riding skills on cross-country and judges will be looking for the competitor who impresses with a well-balanced and well-paced ride and who exhibits a safe cross-country position.   Judges would be appointed at the discretion of the organizers.  The USEA would encourage (but not mandate) that judges be drawn from the officials list, ICP Instructors or senior riders who have competed internationally.

It is important to note that the Technical Merit Award will be completely separate from the regular scoring of horse trials and there was unanimous consent that it always remain that way.  There was also consensus that this should be for the benefit of those riders who are interested, and those who don’t wish to receive this additional feedback should feel free to opt-out of what is intended as a fun and positive addition to the competition.

4. The Philosophy that National Level Course Design be at a Lesser Standard than at Corresponding FEI Levels.  In its New Orleans meetings, the USEF Eventing Technical Committee reaffirmed its adoption of the philosophy, first expressed several months ago at that committee’s meeting in April, that cross-country courses in national-level horse trials should be of a somewhat lesser level of difficulty/technicality than at the corresponding FEI levels.  By way of example, a preliminary level course should be at a lesser standard than a CIC* course.  The same should be true with an intermediate course versus a CIC** course, and so on.  This is in keeping with the beefed-up qualification standards (passed at the December 2007 USEA meeting in Colorado Springs, and in effect since December 1, 2008) that require "qualifying scores" (including clear cross-country rounds) at national level events in order to give horses and riders the necessary experience base to compete in an FEI competition.

5. The Watch List.   Mark Phillips discussed the new USEF “Watch List” during the Saturday morning general assembly in New Orleans.    Modeled after the highly successful program of the same name in England, the Watch List is intended to provide positive discussion and guidance to competitors who appear to be in significant need of help with safe cross-country riding techniques.  As Mark put it, the spirit of the program is a “friendly tap on the shoulder” in a private, confidential and non-punitive context.  The USEA supports the concept of the Watch List and will work with the USEF, the Officials, and the USEA membership to make it as useful a tool as possible to help ensure safety of horse and rider.

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