Familiarizing yourself with the key players at each horse trial is an important step to your success at your next competition. One of those important figures is the show secretary. Think of the show secretary as the mastermind behind most of the organizational efforts related to each horse trial. They manage entries, the show schedule, ride times, stabling, and so much more. Without the hard work of the show secretary and their office staff, a horse trial simply would not be able to operate.
One of the most important things to do before hitting "Submit" on your horse trial entry form is to review the event's Omnibus details on the USEA Calendar. Each event will have its own listing which outlines everything you need to know about the competition beforehand from entry information, who the officials are, what levels will be offered, what you can expect from the cross-country course, and much more.
You have put in the practice at home, you and your horse feel confident, and your trainer has said, “It’s time!” All that is left to do at that point is to submit your entry for the horse trial in which you want to compete. Submitting an entry is easy. Most competitions offer a way to submit your entry form digitally, but paper copies are available under the Forms + Resources page on www.useventing.com as well.
Eventing can feel a little overwhelming to those new to the sport. It’s unlike any other equestrian sport, with three phases packed to the brim with action and excitement. When you enter a horse trial, you’re likely to interact with a wide variety of support staff, all of whom are there to ensure you have an amazing weekend of competition.