United States Eventing Association

Eventing Advent Calendar: Day 8

The USEA Annual Meeting & Convention is always a homecoming of sorts for eventers across the country, and this year is proving to be no exception. USEA members from coast to coast gather together for a weekend free of daily horsey commitments to revel in brainstorming sessions, memories, and a chance to chitchat and catch up with friends. Also, as some of the brightest minds in our sport combine forces, amazing ideas are spawned… here’s just one: A Parent’s Guide to Eventing.

A small group of us from different backgrounds (parents, organizers, Board members, media, etc.) met this morning to plan some ways that parents can easily obtain information about our sport. Of course, our first thought was to build onto Discover Eventing, which is the USEA’s complete guide to “everything eventing.”

We’re also hoping to do a video series of all the fantastic ways that eventing is great for children/teens. A few words that were tossed around were: Responsibility, Dedication, Sportsmanship, and Horsemanship, just to name a few. What were some of the things you learned when you first got started in the sport? And how did that shape you into the person you became today? What did your parents learn…about you?

Finding an economical way for children to get involved in eventing is top priority, since the huge expense of the sport can be a turn-off for many new-to-eventing families. We’re working on brainstorming ways to help save money such as: used tack and riding clothing stores, leasing horses instead of buying, as well as ways to connect with other riders and share trailer rides, etc. We’re also hoping we could get a major tack shop to put together “Starter Eventing” packages which would include everything they would need to begin safely participating in our sport: boots, helmet, safety vest, tack. etc. Of course, there could be different “tiers” with options such as “Rider Packages” and “Horse Packages” –all at a relatively inexpensive rate…and preferably with a discount for USEA members!

As a parent, what are some of the ways that you got involved in eventing? Did you come from a horsey background, and if not, what kind of question did you have? An FAQ section for parents is at the top of our list.

Or, as a young eventer, what are some of the struggles that your parents had to overcome to help you get get started in the sport? Is there anything we can do to help answer any questions and clear up any misconceptions? What do parents want to know?

We’re planning a video series to help educate new eventers, and the first one is already under-way. Some of the topics we’ll cover is how to get started in eventing, what to expect at your first event, how to find a suitable trainer, how to find an appropriate horse, and many others. Do you have ideas?