United States Eventing Association

3 Steps to More Successful Saddle Time in 2023

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.

Time is precious. Time with your horse even more so. If one of your resolutions for the New Year is to spend more time in the saddle or more time enjoying the barn, you’ll want to implement these best practices to minimize stress and make the most of 2023.

Map it Out

Take some time to get familiar with the schedule of recognized events in your area, as well as schooling horse trials, combined tests, jumper and dressage shows. Use a desktop or mobile calendar app to catalog your target outings in a specific color. Having a loose plan for the year, or even just the coming season, can help you make the most of your time and avoid last-minute preparation scrambles.

Some resources include the USEA Calendar and Eventing Nation’s “What’s Happening” Page (which also includes clinics and other educational activities).

Prep Your Paperwork

Check that your memberships are up to date. (If you need to renew your USEA membership, be sure to click here). It can be helpful, too, to create an easily-accessible document with your and your horse’s registry numbers.

Create a folder on your desktop and your smartphone with your horse’s current coggins and flu/rhino vaccination record, as well as any other information you might need to have on-hand for horse show or clinic entries.

Many entry software providers, STRIDER included, enable cloud-based document storage. With an account, you can store your horse’s coggins and other important information as well as create horse and rider profiles to save time when it comes to submit entries.

Having those details readily accessible is especially handy if you are managing multiple horses!

Automate Where Possible

Consider the paper processes involved in your life with horses. Handwritten schedules, paper records, and check payments can all eat away at time spent with your horse. There are infinite options for streamlined communication and time management through digital tools - so many that it can feel a bit overwhelming! Take time to research the tools that will work best to replace your current system - it will be time well spent.

To get started, you might want to consider a shared calendar and scheduling app such as TimeTree. For record keeping in the barn and clear communication surrounding vet and farrier records, check out a software tool like StableSecretary.

Find out which of your vendors (veterinarian, farrier, et cetera) will accept online payments. You can even schedule automatic payments to save time on fixed costs associated with your horses.

However you choose to start saving time to get a jump start on your year, your horse will thank you for cutting out some stress and maximizing your time together!

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