United States Eventing Association

The Art of Design: The B & C Jumping/Course Design Training Program

Last weekend, 25 prospective “r” judges, technical delegates, and course designers gathered at Lara Anderson and Daniel Brown’s Full Gallop Farm in Aiken, South Carolina for the B & C Jumping/Course Designing Training Program. This training program is a requirement for prospective “r” Eventing Judges, “r” Eventing TDs, and “r” Eventing CDs to obtain their licensure, as well as for certified cross-country course designers, who must attend every three years to maintain their certification.

This year’s instructors for the B & C Jumping/Course Design Training Program were Gretchen Butts, Sally Ike, and Tremaine Cooper. The three-day Training Program covered both cross-country and show jumping and discussed different aspects of course design, applicable rules, briefings for jump judges and stewards, and proper timing for both jumping phases.

Participants learned how to properly measure obstacles, including where and how to correctly to site them, which allows the course designer to ask appropriate questions and increase the education of the horse and rider. There was discussion about flow, footing, and appropriateness of obstacles for the level and the time of the year.

Participants also walked and evaluated courses at Sporting Days Farm and Stable View. While at View, participants examined some of the new frangible technology obstacles that were built on the property.

Thank you to Lara Anderson and Daniel Brown of Full Gallop Farm for hosting the B & C Jumping/Course Design Training Session, as well as Joannah Glass of Sporting Days Farm and Cyndy and Barry Olliff and Anne Dearborne of Stable View Farm for providing use of their cross-country courses.

For more information about the USEA Training Programs for Eventing Officials, please contact Nancy Knight at [email protected] or (703) 669-9997.

Additional information about becoming an Eventing Licensed Official, starting with “r” certification, can be found on the USEF website or at one of the following links:
Eventing Judge | Eventing TD | Eventing Course Designer

Want to support the education of the next generation of eventing judges, technical delegates, and course designers? Consider making a gift to the USEA Foundation Roger Haller Education Fund! An anonymous donor has put forward challenge and is inviting you to join in supporting the education of our officials by matching donations, up to $25,000. Click here for more information about this exciting initiative.