Nutrena/USEA American Eventing Championships To Host Charles Owen Technical Merit Award
The USEA is happy to announce that riders entered in the Training Junior and Training Amateur divisions at the Nutrena/USEA American Eventing Championships will be judged for the Charles Owen Technical Merit Award. The Charles Owen Technical Merit Award was first introduced at the Event at Rebecca Farm in 2009 and a few other events have hosted it since. In 2011 the USEA is expanded the reach of the award to give more riders a chance to be judged on their cross-country riding.
The Charles Owen Technical Merit Award was founded by the USEA Professional Horsemens’ Council. The hope is that this award will provide incentives for riders who demonstrate safe and appropriate cross-country technique, and will also educate riders and trainers as to what constitutes safe riding across country. The riders will receive scoresheets with written comments, which will provide valuable feedback for them and their trainers. Judges qualified to evaluate riders to receive the award are: Level IV ICP instructors, USEA licensed officials, and USET Senior Team riders.
Ribbons will be given to the top three junior riders and top three senior riders. In addition the top scoring junior and top scoring senior will receive a Charles Owen Body Protector and helmet bag.
The judging criteria are based on technical merit and safe riding on cross country. It includes the following elements:
1. Gallop: Appropriate speed for level, terrain, conditions, type of obstacle, and balance.
2. Preparation Period: Demonstrates change in balance appropriate for type of obstacle. Choice of line of direction/approach, riders demonstrates proper aids, horse responsive to aids.
3. Execution of Jump: Jumped in proper balance with no twisting or drifting. Safe negotiation by horse with no badly hanging legs, rider stays in balance.
4. Rider Position: Secure, effective position, use of upper body, fitness. 5. General Impressions: Horse appropriate for level, rider in control, partnership of horse and rider, confidence of horse and rider, competence and preparation for level.
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