United States Eventing Association

Spring into Show Season: Reminders to Keep Your Event Organizers Happy

The following is provided through a partnership between STRIDER and the USEA. As part of our commitment to diversity, enabling access, and building capacity throughout the industry we are pleased to provide this content to benefit the sport of eventing.

As spring and summer competitions approach, competitors, secretaries, course designers, volunteers, and so many more are preparing for the busy season ahead. Eventers can help to ensure a positive experience for everyone involved through a few simple steps. From submitting complete entries on time to being understanding when schedules shift, fostering a respectful and cooperative environment with show management not only helps the event run more efficiently but also supports the future of our sport.

The team from STRIDER is here with a few reminders to help you keep show management teams happy as you venture out with your horse this season.

Submit complete entries on time - including payment! Entries with missing pieces such as Coggins or vaccine documentation or signature pages create more work for organizers. Late submissions can be similarly taxing. Set reminders on your phone or your calendar to get organized ahead of time so you can submit a complete entry before your target show’s closing date.

Don’t forget to ensure that your USEA membership is up to date! Plus, you’ll want to keep tabs on the expiration date for your Coggins and any other date-based details. Double check your submissions for accuracy and completeness.

Communicate clearly and politely through the proper channels. Check the omnibus listing to find the best way to get in touch with the show secretary, and remember they may not want to hear from you via text message at 9:00 p.m. on a Friday! If you have special requests, changes, or specific items that need to be addressed, it’s important to get those to your show secretary through his or her preferred means of communication as far in advance as you can.

By being organized, respectful, and proactive in these ways, competitors can help ensure that show management teams have the support they need to deliver a well-run competition. A little effort in these areas can go a long way in making the eventing experience enjoyable for everyone involved, allowing all parties to focus on what really matters: a great season of competition with your horse.

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