Through the Lens: The Return to Competition

By Jessica Duffy - USEA Staff

Out of the box and away we go! USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

After nearly three long months of waiting, eventers were finally able to return to competition this past weekend with three events taking place at River Glen in New Market, Tennessee; Feather Creek in Norman, Oklahoma; and Plantation Field in Unionville, Pennsylvania. The USEA attended the Plantation Field Horse Trials on Friday to observe the return to competition amid new restrictions put in place by the USEF to protect all in attendance from COVID-19. Read more about what eventing's "new normal" looks like in practice and check out more photos from this past weekend.

Medical staff were on site to perform contactless temperature checks at the single entrance to the show ground. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Packet pickup was self-service and available following temperature checks. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

CDC guidelines, course maps, and orders of go were posted throughout the show grounds that riders could take photos of with their phone in lieu of paper copies. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Feeling good to be out and about once again. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Warm-up areas were kept quiet so people could maintain social distance. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Plenty of smiling faces to be seen, even in the dressage arena! USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Contactless bit check was one of the many new protocols in place due to COVID-19. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

It was clear that riders have been using the downtime to practice their skills in preparation for the return to competition. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Face masks and social distance gave the event a different look and feel. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes were available throughout the show ground. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

As part of the event's one-day format, riders completed their show jumping rounds and went immediately to cross-country. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

As always, volunteers are the reason this is all possible! USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

New frangible tables were on display at Plantation Field this weekend. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Horses and riders alike were happy to be out competing again! USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

There's nothing quite like that finish line feeling! USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

A good post cross-country roll is just the icing on the cake! USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Aug 12, 2020 Instructors

ICP Spotlight: Area VII

For over 20 years the USEA Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) has been educating all levels of eventing instructors to confirm their knowledge base, both theoretical and practical, upon which they will continue to build throughout their teaching lifetime. The USEA is now shining the spotlight each month on some of the 300 ICP Certified Instructors.

Aug 11, 2020 Association News

What is EMS?

The future of three-day eventing is in the new USEA Event Management System (EMS)! This new software system will allow for competitors, coaches, organizers, and secretaries to have relevant event information in their hands. By using advanced technology, this new software system will be an all-encompassing tool used to provide a well-organized, smooth competition with limited contact and instant updates.

Aug 10, 2020 Competitions

Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill off to a Great Start with Test Event

This past weekend, the footing of the new arenas at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone saw its very first hoofprints as competitors in the CCI3*-S at Fair Hill International also participated in the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill Test Event. The new Fair Hill Special Event Zone, which has been specially designed with the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill in mind, consists of three brand-new arenas on the infield of the recently upgraded iconic turf track and a new cross-country course designed by Ian Stark.

Aug 10, 2020 Education

How Strong is Your Novice Game?

How competitive have your Novice results been? What’s a good final score? What’s a good dressage score? What does it take to win? In our third installment of this series, EquiRatings showcases the Novice level. Use these graphs and statistics to help evaluate your Novice game.