United States Eventing Association

2015 Annual Meeting and Convention Speaker Spotlight: Anne Crowell, Cathleen Frederickson and Annette Gavin

Anne D. Crowell

Anne is a professional saddle fitter and bio mechanist that has been trained by the UK Society of Master Saddlers, Albion Saddlemakers, Hastilow USA, and Stübben NA. Anne holds a bachelor of science in engineering (cum laude) from California State University and a Master of Science in applied and engineering physics from George Mason University.

Anne has worked with Novel USA, since 2010, as a representative for the Pliance Saddle Test system. This state of the art dynamic load measuring system allows for continuous real time measurements of the pressures present on the equine back. Saddle fit information; as well rider biomechanics can be analyzed with this system. Anne currently teaches for the Honors College at George Mason University, and plans to pursue a PhD in the near future. She is a member of the American Society of Biomechanics and the American Society of Physics Teachers.

Cathleen L. Frederickson

Cathy is a professional equestrian educator. Born and raised in Clovis, California, she joined Fresno Pony Club and began her eventing career at Pat and Marian Humphries' Ram Tap Stables. She attained her A rating at 17yrs and competed numerous horses through the levels in the long format , while starting a teaching business at her parent's Khalharra Farm. She attended Calif. State Univ. Fresno studying History, English and Animal Science. A year studying in England with Col Wm Froud FBHS, OBE and former Head of British Instructors, deepened her interest in equestrian instruction and gave her opportunities to take BHS I level exams. Cathy and her husband Allan relocated to New England in the early 80’s working for a Hanoverian breeding and training operation and for Denny Emerson at Tamarac Hill Farm, Cathy as Assistant Instructor. Both actively competed.

For the past 29 years Cathy has live in Boyce, Virginia with her family. Sam, their son was an active rider in Pony Club, the hunt field and steeple chasing. Continuing to teach, coach and compete, Cathy became a USPC Nat'l Examiner earning her Level 4 qualification. She has served on various committees and chaired the Nat'l Testing and National Youth Congress committees, served as VP for Instruction and two terms on the Board of Governors. Currently she runs Millwood Equestrian in Clarke Co Va. maintaining her teaching/clinics while co-developing sound equestrian educational material using science to validate classical equestrian methods in partnership with Annette Gavin's HSC USA and Anne Crowell.

Annette Gavin

Annette was educated in the UK, attending City University in London where she graduated with a Politics and Law Degree. After University she concentrated on her passion of horses and competed in Three Day Level Eventing in the UK and Intermediare II in dressage. During this time she qualified through the British Horse Society’s Examinations as an Instructor and Rider taking and passing her Intermediate Instructor exams. Annette taught Pony Club in the UK and was an examiner at the B Level.

After immigrating to the USA to a job as an Associate Professor in the Wilson College Equestrian program, she taught Pedagogy and Biomechanics classes as well as the practical and theoretical study of backing the young horse and riding classes. Annette went on to establish her own saddlery company and Qualified with the Society of Master Saddlers as a Qualified Saddle Fitter. Since then she has been fitting and doing saddle research in conjunction with the Novel company. Novel assists by providing a Pliance Pressure System to use under saddles. Research is also conducted using high speed camera analysis done with the Quintic system. This research is used to assist in product development, problem solving and increased awareness of Pliance. Annette also lectures for the VetPD a provider of education for vets working in the field. In her spare time she still rides and schools her two event horses and enjoys gardening.

The Science of Balanced Riding

This presentation is designed to give riders insight into how the classical balanced position affects the horse. We shall also include information about the development of the horse’s physique and how equipment- esp. the saddle can be influential. The Pliance pressure mat system gives us feedback about the pressure of the horses back lift, the rider’s seat, and the saddle/pads/girth. The Quintic Gait Analysis system gives us the ability to access joint flexion, extension, and movement patterns in both the horse and rider. This information has been utilized by the Europeans for some years. Now it is available in the USA.

The 2015 Annual Meeting and Convention will be held December 2-6 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel and Resort.

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There is still time to recieve the early-bird room discount! Click here for booking and use the Reservation Code: 12400612328