United States Eventing Association

Recently, while teaching the USEA EA21 Central Clinic in Kansas City, Missouri, I found myself reflecting on what it means to produce eventing horses all around this huge country where trainers, coaches, and athletes find themselves with vast differences in access to cross-country courses, schooling fields, or just open land.

On Dec. 12-15, the United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) will be relocating to Area VII for the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in Seattle, Washington! The Emerald City is known for its culture, cuisine, and coffee, as the birthplace of Starbucks, and it will serve as the perfect backdrop for a week centered around horse and rider safety. The USEA Annual Meeting & Convention is hosted annually to allow our dedicated USEA members and supporters to discuss, learn, and enjoy being surrounded likeminded individuals, and this year’s event is set to be another exciting opportunity to bond over the sport.

Why do some horses and riders always seem to find their balance and their feet when the unexpected happens? The answer may lie in the time-tested practice of gymnastic exercises. Every rider, every horse, at every level can benefit from the use of ground poles, cavalletti, and gymnastic exercises over small fences. This article is aimed at improving the balance and stability of both horse and rider. Improved balance and stability not only contribute to better show jumping and cross-country jumping, but are the foundations of more secure and safer riding.

For the past couple of years I’ve been moving through a confusing and disconcerting season of my career. I’ve spent my whole life fit (unless injured) and extremely active competing and training horses. A couple of years ago that all started to change with the slow onset of an illness that has taken away a lot of my ability to compete or ride at any level effectively.

One of the hottest topics in any equestrian industry is gut health. Attendees of the 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention were treated to a crash course in the equine digestive system led by Doug Leavitt and Alex Brannon with USEA sponsor Nutrena Feeds. Leavitt and Brannon talked in-depth about the role probiotics and calcite can play in gut and immune support in horses and how Nutrena’s newest proprietary blend, Digestive Shield, checks all of the boxes.

Coaches from across the country convened at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, Florida, from Jan. 30-Feb. 1 for the USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Symposium. Each day was dedicated to a different phase of the sport, and coaches were able to learn from ECP faculty, guest speakers, and demo riders from Intro to Intermediate.

The final day of the USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Symposium was all about show jumping, but as event riders know, proper flat work is the key to better jumping. As with the previous two days, participants broke into groups with ECP coach mentors to observe demo riders from Beginner Novice through Intermediate, then come up with a lesson plan that included a few key points to work on.

Olympian and five-star winner Karen O’Connor took the literal reins at the start of day 2 of the USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Symposium as she spoke about proper cross-country position in front of a group of enthusiastic riders and coaches at the Florida Horse Park.

Nearly 50 participants headed to the Florida Horse Park today for the start of the 2024 USEA Eventing Coaches Program Symposium. Each day, participants pair up with ECP Faculty members to discuss demo rides, brainstorm ideas, and create lesson plans. They also have the opportunity for question-and-answer sessions with top professionals in the sport.

Beginning tomorrow, the 2024 Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Symposium will kick off at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, Florida. The event runs from Tuesday, Jan. 30 through Thursday, Feb. 1 and will provide an opportunity for a multitude of eventing enthusiasts and professionals to immerse themselves in the latest and greatest teaching philosophies and techniques of the sport to encourage the safe and successful progression of students. Members won’t want to miss this opportunity to experience the USEA’s revamped program for developing coaches and evaluating riders of all levels.