Dec 31, 2021

A Look Back At Eventing 2021: Top 10 Educational Articles

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff
USEA/ Taylor Pence photo.

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) was established to serve as an educational resource for eventers new and old! In 2021 the USEA website reached over 6 million people, there were over 50,000 downloads of our USEA official podcast, and over 30,000 subscribers to our weekly e-newsletter. Here are the top ten educational articles that USEA members had access to in 2021, and don't forget to follow our website and social media for more great content in the new year!

Photo courtesy of Bates Saddles.

10) Top 10 Tips for Leather Care with Bates Saddles

By Bates Saddles

Tack cleaning is one of those barn chores that might not be our favorite but is certainly necessary for keeping our equipment in top shape. Aside from caring for your tack so it lasts for years to come, regular tack maintenance is important for safety. The last thing you want is the potential for a stitch, zipper, or buckle breaking while you're out on course. But what are the best practices for keeping your tack in the best possible condition? Our friends at Bates Saddles, the Offical Saddle of the USEA, have shared some of their top tips for keeping your leather equipment in good and safe condition.

Tik Maynard competing with Vasiliev at the 2018 Ocala Jockey Club CCI*. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

9) Grid Pro Quo with Tik Maynard

As Told to Margaret Rizzo McKelvy

While on paper you may think that this exercise is overly simple, I find that it is the perfect thing to work on during the winter months to help prepare for the upcoming show season. I’m a big believer in training my horses – and students – in a systematic manner. And this is a great exercise to set up on your own and practice in between lessons. Even better, get a group of friends together and make a game of it.

Will Coleman and Tight Lines at the 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.


8) Grid Pro Quo with Will Coleman

As told to Margaret Rizzo McKelvy

Throughout my career, I’ve been lucky enough to both spectate and compete at some of the biggest events around the world. And whether you’re competing at one of these marquee events or at your local horse trials, the two biggest reasons that riders will have rails in show jumping are the same: lack of balance and rideability.

USEA/ KTB Creative Group photo.

7) What You Need to Know: New Eventing Rules Effective December 1, 2021

By Meagan DeLisle

With the new competition season kicking off officially on December 1, it’s time to brush up on the USEF Rules For Eventing ! There are five new rules and amendments that will take effect at the start of the new season regarding competition approvals, officials, and more. To access the full 2022 USEF Rulebook, click here.

USEA/ KTB Creative Group photo.

6) 10 Tips to Ace Your Dressage Test with Marilyn Payne

By Catherine Austen

Marilyn Payne is one of the most experienced and respected ground jury members in eventing. She has adjudicated at every top event in the world, including two Olympic Games. Here are her top tips on how to impress the dressage judges - at any level.

Capt. Mark Phillips instructing Kristin Schmolze in the 2011 Training Sessions. Kate Erickson Photo.

5) Galloping and Setting Up for Cross-Country Fences: A Conversation with Captain Mark Phillips

By Momi Henne

Cross-country riding is basically galloping across the country, jumping various obstacles. The ability to transition from the gallop to the appropriate speed and balance for the upcoming obstacle is an essential skill for riding cross-country. It is a skill that needs to be practiced just as jumping the actual fences needs to be practiced. Recently I had a conversation with Captain Mark Phillips about how to do this.

Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus. USEA Photo

5) Lauren Nicholson's Top Tips for Successful Hacking

By Catherine Austen

We all want to do the best with our young horses and to produce well-schooled, educated animals. However, it’s easy to get bogged down in detail and spend a lot of time in the arena. We shouldn’t forget that young event horses need to learn to deal with wide-open spaces, natural terrain, and obstacles - and the best way to do this in an unpressurized way is by going hacking.

Hannah Cole Photography Photo

3) Eight Ways to Make Sure Your First Cross-Country Schooling Session is a Success

By Catherine Austen

British CCI5*-L winner Laura Collett is recognized as a first-class producer of young event horses. Here are her top tips for introducing your young horse to cross-country.

USEA/ Meagan DeLisle photo.

2) Rule Refresher: But What Will I Wear?

Hoping to hit the Black Friday sales and update your show attire? Don’t forget to make sure your clothes are show-ring ready! Below you will find the outlines for appropriate dress for all three phases. Study up and snag some sales! Text has been taken directly from the USEF Rules For Eventing, with emphasis added by the USEA.

USEA/ Meagan DeLisle photo.

1) Rule Refresher: What is the Compulsory Retirement Rule?

The Compulsory Retirement rule is a fairly new addition to the USEF Rules for Eventing having gone into effect on June 1, 2021. Compulsory Retirement, denoted as CR on scoring, is enacted when a competitor has 20 or more show jumping penalties at the Training, Modified, Preliminary, Intermediate, or Advanced levels. This rule was originally proposed by the USEA Safety Committee after they reviewed performance data over the past five years. There was clear indication that horses performing at or above the Training level suffered exponentially more falls on cross-country after having 16 or more show jumping penalties. Similar rules exist in other countries including the UK.

May 12, 2025 Eventing News

Boyd Martin and Cooley Nutcracker Conquer Yanmar America Tryon International CCI4*-L

The final day of competition at the the Yanmar America Tryon International Spring Three-Day Event presented by Tow & Collect crowned five new champions, featuring show jumping competition in Tryon Stadium and the final rounds of cross-country competition on the White Oak cross-country course at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International). Read more below.

May 12, 2025 Eventing News

From the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Cross-Country: Miriam Keefer’s Eventing Journey

At last fall's Full Moon Farm Horse Trials, 16-year-old Miriam Keefer guided her horse, Micky, over the final cross-country jump with quiet determination and a flash of joy. It was her first recognized event at the Novice level, and she placed second out of 16 competitors—qualifying her for both the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds and a long-format three-day event.

May 11, 2025 Eventing News

Canter and Lordships Graffalo are Back on Top at MARS Badminton Horse Trials

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo were pure class in the final, tense moments of the MARS Badminton Horse Trials, jumping faultlessly to regain the title they won two years ago by just 1 penalty.

May 11, 2025 Eventing News

Martin and Cooley Nutcracker Rise to the Top at Yanmar American Tryon International CCI4*-L

Day 3 of competition at the Yanmar America Tryon International Spring Three-Day Event presented by Tow & Collect showcased Clayton Frederick’s course design at the picturesque White Oak Cross-country course at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International). The leaderboard of the CCI4*-L division saw a shakeup after two phases of competition.

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