Applications for the 2020 Adequan® USEF Futures Team Challenge are open beginning on August 3. The Futures Team Challenge, part of USEF’s Eventing Pathway Program, was established in 2019 to prepare future senior team athletes by providing an opportunity to experience competing as part of a team and working with the U.S. team coaches. All eventing athletes are invited to apply.
The competitions will take place as part of the Plantation Field International CCI3*-S/CCI4*-S, September 17-20, 2020, and the Galway Downs International CCI3*-L/CCI4*-L, October 29-November 1, 2020. Applications for Plantation Field close on August 24 and applications for Galway Downs close October 5.
Selection is based on applicants’ results, potential, willingness to learn, and commitment to developing into a future team athlete. Selection will follow the selection criteria used for Nations Cup competitions as a guideline.
“With the break from competition, the athletes have been working hard on improving, and it should be a great experience,” says Law. “This will be one of the few team experiences available to athletes this year, and we look forward to having a strong group of applicants.”
Selected athletes will participate in a two-day training camp in preparation for the simulated team competitions. The training camp will provide athletes with the opportunity to learn the expectations of being a team rider, including preparing for and operating at a team event. Athletes will receive dressage test ride reviews and show jumping practice. U.S. Performance Director Erik Duvander and U.S. Developing Coach Leslie Law will coach and serve as Chef d’Equipe for the two teams.
“The Futures Team Challenge will be the most exciting thing that has happened all year!” says Duvander. “I am looking forward to coaching teams at Plantation Field and Galway Downs and encourage athletes to put their names forward. We are also grateful to Adequan for stepping up as the title sponsor. Thank you to Allyn Mann and the team at Adequan for their support.”
Learn more at https://www.usef.org/compete/disciplines/eventing/usef-north-american-futures-team.
The horses in trainer Joe Davis’ barn at Horseshoe Indianapolis don’t just get standard hay in their nets each day. Throughout the afternoon, Davis or one of his employees opens the HayGain machine that sits at the end of his shed row and pulls out a warm, beautiful-smelling bale of freshly-steamed hay to fill their nets.
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.
Last month, readers met VIP Volunteer Rebecca Proetto, who volunteered at the MARS Maryland 5 Star horse inspection. This month, the focus turns to husband and wife Ed and Leanne Barnett who introduced Proetto to the art of running an efficient horse inspection at Maryland. Ed and Leanne undertake a 12-hour drive from their home in Indiana to Maryland just to volunteer at the event.
The USEA is saddened to share the passing of Sara Kozumplik’s five-star partner As You Like It at the age of 34. The gelding died in his sleep at his retirement home at Kozumplik's parents' residence.