Login
Apr 15, 2023
3-2-1.. Have a Great Ride! A First Timers Checklist for a USEA-Recognized Event
The following is provided through a partnership between STRIDER and the USEA. As part of our commitment to diversity, enabling access, and building capacity throughout the industry we are pleased to provide this content to benefit the sport of eventing.
Picture this: you’ve been enjoying schooling all three phases with your horse and your coach. Maybe you’ve even had success at a starter trial or combined test this spring. On the USEA calendar, you spot a recognized horse trial that will be a great first “official” outing for you and your horse. You plan to enter. Now what?
Don’t panic, we’ve got your back. While the team at STRIDER can’t necessarily help with the physical prep required to complete all three phases (though there are clinicians and outings on our platform that might!), we’ve compiled a handy checklist to help you get your ducks in a row before you arrive at check-in.
Map it Out
- Mark your calendar with important opening and closing dates for the event(s) you’d like to enter.
- Figure out what your organizer needs from you.
- Make a plan with your coach.
While much of the entry process is fairly standardized, every organizing entity has slightly different paperwork and documentation requirements from you as a competitor. For example, you may be asked to provide your horse’s vaccine documentation or sign a number of different waivers pertinent to the event you have selected to enter. It’s important to keep your organizer happy by providing them with the information and documentation they need in as streamlined a way as possible.
Do Your Homework
- Get memberships in order for your horse and yourself.
- You will need a COMPETING (full or Jr) level of membership
- Review the rules and regulations.
- Ensure that you are qualified/ eligible to compete in the division you have entered
- Submit your complete entry
It’s about time to join the USEA! In addition to being a fantastic educational resource, membership is required for riders competing at Beginner Novice and above. Explore the handy chart below to check USEA/ USEF requirements for horse and rider by level.
Be sure to also get familiar with the Rules for Eventing as written and updated by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) in collaboration with USEA. Double-check that your equipment is legal for competition to avoid possible elimination on a technicality!
Some additional resources you may wish to explore include:
While dotting i’s and crossing t’s can seem a bit overwhelming, remember that you are getting out there to have fun with your horse. Consider the competition a way to test the skills and partnership you’ve developed with your horse. Now that the paperwork is out of the way, it’s time to have a great ride!
STRIDER is the leading entry platform across disciplines for the equestrian industry.
From enabling riders to discover and book the perfect opportunity to helping equestrians across the industry grow and run their businesses, STRIDER fosters connections to top-tier experiences. Please visit www.striderpro.com to learn more about the suite of software products and services available.
Connect with STRIDER on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
Jul 02, 2024
Educational Activities
USEA Educational Activity Highlight: Sherwood Forest Hunter Pace | Sherwood Oregon | July 13, 2024
What’s a Hunter Pace? The Sherwood Forest Equestrian Center's Hunter Pace is a cross-country-style course around Sherwood Forest over various natural obstacles/terrain. The course ends with a final treat for riders to take in stunning views of Mt. Hood with a loop through the old Far Hill Farms field. The beginning of the course will first start with a warm-up loop around show jumping obstacles in the outdoor ring at Sherwood Forest and then riders will continue directly onto the course. Sign up as a solo rider, pair, or team.
Jul 02, 2024
Profile
No Longer Dreaming: Claire Allen's Goal of Qualifying for USEF Eventing Young Rider Championship is Now Reality
Claire Allen remembers when she was 11 years old, having just made the switch from the hunter/jumper ring to three-day eventing. She told her new eventing trainer that her goal was to one day compete in the United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Young Rider Championships.
Jul 01, 2024
Competitions
Alliston’s Busy Weekend, Braitling’s Reuniting with Five-Star Mount, & Kalkman’s Advanced Victory Highlight Twin Rivers Summer H.T.
As he was finishing tacking up his horse in preparation to navigate the cross-country course at the 2024 Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials, James Alliston expressed concern about navigating the 101 Freeway. That’s because as soon as he crossed the finish line aboard Intermediate level winner Addyson (Ampere x Nickerbocker) at 10:38 a.m. on Saturday—his fifth cross-country round of the morning with three at Preliminary and two at Intermediate—the West Coast-based five-star rider had to drive 185 miles on the 101 Freeway from Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, to San Francisco International Airport to catch a 4:35 p.m. flight to Frankfurt, Germany.
Jul 01, 2024
Education
USEA Podcast #364: All Your Grooming Questions Answered
There is so much more to proper grooming than keeping your horse picture-perfect for the horse inspection. Good grooming practices are critical to proper horse management, no matter if you are planning for your next FEI appearance or your Starter level debut. To help you maximize your knowledge of grooming practices, we opened up the opportunity for USEA members to submit any questions they might have on our Instagram and Facebook stories. In this week's episode, Host Nicole Brown sits down with three of the highest-regarded grooms in this industry, Max Corcoran, Emma Ford, and Stephanie Simpson, and asks them all of your questions and more to help you perfect the art of grooming.
