United States Eventing Association

Access the Top USEA Educational Articles of 2022

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) was established to serve as an educational resource for eventers new and old! In 2022 the USEA website reached over 4 million people, there were over 60,000 downloads of our USEA official podcast, and over 40,000 subscribers to our weekly e-newsletter. Here are the top ten educational articles that USEA members had access to in 2022, and don't forget to follow our website and social media for more great content in the new year!

Mustangs in Eventing: Humble Roots with the Wild Card of Breeds

By Chelsea Lyn Agro

It makes perfect sense that a rider would want to partner up with a wild mustang for eventing—big risk, big reward! But more importantly, big heart.

It’s common to hear someone say that their horse is “all blood,” meaning that their bloodlines are primarily geared toward a particular discipline, but mustangs are melting pots of mixed breeds. Depending on what region a mustang is from, their physical appearance can range from tall and high-withered with Roman noses to short and stocky with feet that fit a size 1 shoe, and of course everything in between. Finding out what their bodies and minds are best suited for is something that is learned long after the start of their training.

Rule Refresher: Bits, Bridles, and More, Dressage Edition

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff

Looking to change up your horse’s tack for the new season? Be sure to read through the rules to familiarize yourself with what is acceptable for each phase. In this month’s Rule Refresher, we highlight what tack is deemed acceptable for dressage. Text has been taken directly from the USEF Rules For Eventing, with emphasis added by the USEA.

Ten Horse Show Parents Chime In on How to Best Support Your Child at Home and Events

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff

Did your kiddo catch the eventing bug? While it can feel a bit overwhelming at first, we know you will find the sport and community of eventing to be a fun and welcoming one. Getting through the learning curve can feel a bit cumbersome, but top eventing parents from around the country chimed in to share some of their best words of wisdom to make your transition into your new role as a horse show mom/dad extraordinaire as smooth as possible.

Rule Refresher: Have Your Vaccination Record Ready

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff

With EHV-1 positive cases on the West Coast resulting in the cancellations of competitions in impacted areas, it is pertinent now more than ever that USEA members are reminded of the vaccination log requirements as set forth by the USEF General Rules and take the necessary steps to ensure their horse is properly vaccinated prior to arriving at their next competition.

Measurements of Success: 115 Horse Trials And Counting with Paprika

By Olivia Airhart - USEA Staff

How does one quantify success? Is it the number of ribbons won? The number on the podium stood upon? The number of clean runs completed? The number associated with the value of a horse? Success, more often than not, is directly linked to the amount of something achieved over time. But, success is not necessarily always defined by the best of something or the lowest score or the fastest time. In the sport of eventing where numbers and scores and times are utilized to define how “good” or “bad” a rider or horse is, at the end of the day it should be about what each person takes away from a competition or lesson. Instead of riding the fast track to success, a slow burn can culminate into the greatest measure of success

How a Former Five-Star Horse Stepped in to Help Roisin O'Rahilly Accomplish a Century Ride

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff

For Roisin O’Rahilly, horses have been a lifelong passion that she has had to press pause on for periods of her life. But like the true horse person that she is, O’Rahilly always found her way back to the saddle. While she has a lifelong list of accomplishments related to horses, her most recent one is being named the third-ever USEA Century Ride Award, sponsored by Spokane Sport Horse Farm, recipient. This award celebrates horse and rider pairs who complete an event with a combined age of 100 or more. After placing first in their Beginner Novice division aboard, Rachel Jurgen’s, 26-year-old former five-star Thoroughbred, Ziggy, at the Five Points Horse Trials in Raeford, North Carolina in September, O’Rahilly, age 79, checked another goal in the saddle off of her list - and she doesn’t aim to slow down any time soon.

VIDEO: Run Through the New 2022 USEF Eventing Dressage Tests with Marilyn Payne

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff

Marilyn Payne, chair of the Test Writing Task Force, presented the 2022 USEF Eventing Dressage Tests at the 2021 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During her session, Payne discussed reasonings behind certain movements, updates for clarity that were being made (updated tests have since been published and may be reviewed here), and even shared video demonstrations of certain tests to help attendees get a better understanding of what to expect this competition season.

Seven Horsemanship Hacks that You Need to Know

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff

Good horsemanship habits don't always have to be expensive. In fact, some of the best barn hacks don't even require a trip to the tack store. From buying sponges in the automobile section of your nearest superstore to using ketchup as a tool to help whiten the tails on a gray horse, there are tons of ways you can up your horsemanship game on a budget without sacrificing the quality of care for your horse. We asked the USEA membership to chime in with their favorite barn hacks and you did not disappoint.

The Importance of a Secure and Balanced Position in all Three Eventing Phases

By Mary D'Ary - ECP Faculty Member

What is a secure and balanced position? Why is it important? How do you achieve it? Instructors and riders do not always pay sufficient attention to the balance, security, effectiveness, and independence of the rider's position, which constitute their "seat." Attaining these qualities, so necessary to safely and successfully master each level of riding, takes time, high-quality practice, and knowledgeable instruction at each level. A lot of time and effort are needed to correct ingrained faults in the rider’s position and in the application of the aids that cause confusion in our horses. It is much better to instill in the rider from early on this fundamental knowledge that makes possible the successful progressive training of the horse. It is very difficult to correct faults in the horse when the basic foundation of the horse’s training is lacking. When both issues are present at the same time, it is sometimes impossible to produce a good partnership between horse and rider, especially given the often unrealistic expectations of riders when it comes to a time frame for improvement.

Memories from the Vet Box with Beth Perkins

By Claire Kelley

“The best description I can give of what it was like to compete [Furtive] in the long format is that he made me fearless,” said Beth Perkins. At just 18 years old, the fearless Perkins placed sixth individually at the 1974 Burghley World Championships with Furtive. Since then, Perkins has dedicated her life to the sport of eventing. She’s experienced the highs, the lows, and the changes to the sport. She’s competed at the toughest events in the world and has earned top placings and team medals along the way.