US Equestrian (USEF) has announced the selection procedures for the 2020 Olympics taking place in Tokyo, Japan, Friday, July 31 – Monday, August 3, 2020.
According to the official selection procedure documentation, “All athletes and horses wishing to compete on the 2020 Olympic Games Eventing Team must earn a FEI Certificate of Capability between January 1, 2019 and June 2, 2020 by having achieved one qualifying result at a Concours Complet d’Equitation CCI5*-L, or one CCI4*-S AND one CCI4*-L, to be eligible to compete in the Event.” Riders must be born on or before December 31, 2002 and horses must be at least 8 years of age to be eligible to compete.
Qualifying results are defined by the FEI Rules for Eventing section 517 – Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
a) Dressage test: not more than 45 penalty points (or 55%).
b) Cross-country test: A clear round at obstacles (activating a maximum of one frangible device will maintain the MER result on cross-country); Not more than 75 seconds exceeding the optimum time in the cross-country test four-star level competitions and 100 seconds in the case of five-star level competitions.
c) Jumping test: not more than 16 penalties at obstacles.
Horses and riders hoping to be considered for inclusion on the 2020 U.S. Olympic team may complete any of the events included on this list to earn their qualifications. Furthermore, in order to be considered they must complete one of the following selection trials:
All applications to be considered for the U.S. Team must be submitted to the USEF with the $70 fee by February 14, 2020. Click here for application instructions.
The Selectors, in consultation with the Chef d’Equipe and Team Veterinarian, will recommend three athlete/horse combinations, a traveling reserve, and up to the maximum number of alternates no later than June 1, 2020 based on the following:
The riders and horses named to this list will be required to “demonstrate their continued preparation, soundness, and ability” by competing at designated preparation events. These preparation events will be a CCI4*-S, an Advanced horse trial, or Advanced combined test to be held sometime after June 1, 2020.
The “long list” of athletes must be received by April 10, 2020. The declaration of starters will take place on July 30, 2020. The full selection procedures can be viewed here.
On Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Central time, join Eric Dierks for a live stream interview with David O'Connor. David was an alternate for the 1988 Summer Olympics, and riding Wilton Fair, was part of the U.S. team at the 1990 World Equestrian Games, where he placed 35th individually and the team finished fourth.
Billy Jackson was introduced to horses at a young age through his local 4-H program. “One of my mom's close friends was a large animal vet and she really encouraged me to stay with it,” Jackson said. As an adult, he is a Marketing Project Manager, and when he’s not at work, he’s a lower level eventer based at Poplar Place Farm.
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.
It is with great disappointment and regret, which we know will be shared by many, that we announce the cancellation of the 2021 Badminton Horse Trials which was due to be held “behind closed doors” between May 5 and May 9. This cancellation also includes the BE90 and BE100 Championships (May 4 and 5).