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.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation has announced the host location and dates for the 2024 and 2025 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships (CCI1*, CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S). The Maryland International and Horse Trials will host the Championships in Adamstown, Maryland, on July 5-7, 2024, and July 6-8, 2025.
Are you an Adult Rider interested in setting new competitions goals for 2024? Would you like the opportunity to compete in a team environment and meet new friends with similar life experiences? Consider competing in a USEA Adult Team Challenge this year! Start building team camaraderie and get valuable competition experience at your Area’s Adult Team Challenges and consider setting your sights on the pinnacle competition of the year, the Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC).
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.
There are currently 48 states which are covered under the Equine Activity Liability Act. This act, which does not apply in the states of California or Maryland, shifts the burden of the risk involved in equine activities onto the participant. However, as USEA Board of Governor member and attorney Yvonne Ocrant pointed out during her seminar, “Equine Law 101: Understanding & Minimizing Risk of Liability in Equine Activities,” which took place during the 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, there are always exceptions to every rule.
Did you know that in 2023 there were 2,535 members of the USEA Adult Rider Program? The USEA Adult Rider Program is for all adults, amateur or professional, 22 years and older. The program’s goal is to increase adult rider participation in eventing as both riders and volunteers. It aims to do so by including adults across all skill and experience levels in a supportive program that promotes education, volunteerism, friendly competition, recognition, and just plain fun.