US Equestrian has announced updates to the 2019 Elite, Development Pre-Elite, and Development Potential Training Lists of the U.S. Eventing Pathway Program. Launched in early 2019, U.S. Eventing Performance Director Erik Duvander designed the U.S. Eventing Pathway Program to create a “culture of competitiveness” and provide a more clearly defined pathway for eventing athletes in the U.S. The following athletes have been approved by an Ad Hoc Group of the Eventing Sport Committee at the recommendation of Duvander, with input from his Performance Advisory Team.
Elite Training List
The Elite Program aims to support athlete and horse combinations demonstrating the ability to contribute to medal-winning potential at the World Championship level, measured against world-leading performances and looking to compete at the next Olympic or World Championship. The following combinations have been named to the Elite Training List:
Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Z, Thomas Tierney, Simon Roosevelt, Suzanne Lacy, Caroline Moran, and Ann Jones’s 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding
Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Tsetserleg, Christine Turner’s 12-year-old Trakehner gelding
Development Pre-Elite Training List
The Development Pre-Elite Program aims to identify and support athlete and horse combinations that have the perceived potential to meet Elite status within the next two to four years, with the target of competing on a championship team in the next four to six years. The following combinations have been named to the Development Pre-Elite Training List:
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (Ocala, Fla.) and Deniro Z, The Deniro Syndicate and Ocala Horse Properties’ 11-year-old KWPN gelding
Caroline Martin (Miami Beach, Fla.) and Islandwood Captain Jack, Caroline and Sherrie Martin’s 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding
Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Long Island T, Long Island T Syndicate’s 13-year-old Oldenburg/Thoroughbred gelding, as well as On Cue, Christine Turner’s 13-year-old English Sport Horse mare
Doug Payne (Aiken, S.C.) and Starr Witness, Doug Payne, Laurie McRee, and Catherine Winter’s 8-year-old KWPN mare, as well as Vandiver, Debi Crowley, Jessica Payne, and Doug Payne’s 15-year-old Trakehner gelding
Tamie Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) and Mai Baum, Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell’s 13-year-old German Sport Horse gelding
Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) and Under Suspection, Mary Ann Ghadban’s 15-year-old Holsteiner mare, as well as RF Cool Play, The Donner Syndicate LLC’s 11-year-old German Sport Horse gelding
Frankie Thieriot Stutes (Occidental, Calif.) and Chatwin, The Chatwin Group’s 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding
Development Potential Training List
The Development Potential Program aims to focus athletes on education aimed at equipping them with the necessary tools and skills to have the perceived talent to reach Elite status in the next four to eight years, with the goal of Pre-Elite targets by the age of 30. The following athletes have been named to the Developing Potential Training List:
Maya Black (Clinton, Wash.)
Jenny Caras (Cartersville, Ga.)
Katherine Coleman (New Orleans, La.)
Hallie Coon (Ocala, Fla.)
Sydney Elliott (Bossier City, La.)
Matthew Flynn (Reddick, Fla.)
Ariel Grald (Vass, N.C.)
Allie Knowles (Lexington, Ky.)
Alex O’Neal (Reddick, Fla.)
U.S. Equestrian announced the 2019 Emerging Athlete Eventing 18 and Eventing 25 Program participants in December 2018. Full criteria for the U.S. eventing training and pathway criteria can be found here.
My name is Tayah Fuller and I’m 14 years old. “On course” to me is a phrase that makes my heart pump fast and my excitement go wild. There is no better feeling than galloping through a field or flying over cross-country jumps with my heart thrumming along, especially when it is with my best friend. You see, I was born with a congenital heart murmur. While it has never really affected my athletic abilities, the one time that I notice it is when I am riding through a cross-country course with my horse.
Please always remain vigilant when it comes to sending any personal communications via email or text. Every year we receive reports of members and leaders of our sport receiving phishing attempts both online and by phone. These are often communications disguised as being sent from USEA staff or other leaders. As the years go on, the phishing attempts appear to be more directed and tailored.
Tack cleaning is one of those barn chores that might not be our favorite but is certainly necessary for keeping our equipment in top shape. Aside from caring for your tack so it lasts for years to come, regular tack maintenance is important for safety. The last thing you want is the potential for a stitch, zipper, or buckle breaking while you're out on course.
Following feedback from our membership to the rule change proposal for the USEF Rules For Eventing: Appendix 3 – Participation In Horse Trials, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors voted to modify the rule change proposal, but still to recommend the establishment of rider licenses and increase Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) to the regulating authority of the sport US Equestrian (USEF).