United States Eventing Association

USEA Convention Track Preview: Equine

We’re just more than a month from the start of the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention at the Westin Long Beach Hotel in Long Beach, California, December 6-10! So far we’ve previewed the “Events” track, geared towards organizers, and the “Eventers” track, geared towards riders. This week, we’re bringing you a sneak peek at the “Equine” track, which will cover topics on all things equine from nutrition and hoof health to syndication and decision-making. Take a look!

Making Good Decisions
Thursday, December 7, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Speaker: Max Corcoran

Come hear Max Corcoran discuss how to learn from others and make good decisions to keep you and your horse safe and healthy.

Horse Ownership
Friday, December 8, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Speakers: Dr. Mark Hart, Kevin Baumgardner, & Eric Markell

Three active horse owners, Dr. Mark Hart, Kevin Baumgardner, and Eric Markell, will recount their experiences as owners of horses competed by others. They will touch on different types of ownerships including syndicates. Ownership participation by eventers at all levels is a lot of fun and can attract individuals who might not be riders into the sport. It can and should be an important component of the "glue" that holds our eventing culture together.

Nutrition for our Equine Athlete
Friday, December 8, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Speaker: Russell K. Mueller M.S. PAS

As we ask our equine partners to trot, canter, gallop, jump, and carry us, we need to ensure their nutrition is top-notch. Diet modifications can have great impact on their in competition performance and post-competition recovery. Nutrients such as protein and amino acids, fat sources, mineral interactions, and water intake all play a huge role in daily training and intense competition. Russell Mueller will help you understand what changes to make, when to apply them, and how fast to see the results leading to great success and a happier horse. He will also break down simple steps you can take and apply it back to human and equine-based performance research.

USEA Funded Equine Health Research
Friday, December 8, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Speakers: Katherine Cooper & Dr. Mike Van Noy

Katherine Cooper and Dr. Mike Van Noy will provide an overview of the program, a brief history of how it began and an explanation of ongoing efforts to encourage other sports to create similar programs. They will also share some highlights of what their research dollars have accomplished and illustrate the importance of this effort in the field of equine health.

USEF Owners Task Force
Friday, December 8, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Topics of discussion will include an introduction to the new USEF Performance Director for Eventing Erik Duvander, 2018 Owner Initiatives, Owners Club at US Events, 2018 WEG Fundraisers, and the HP Eventing Program going forward.

FEH: Changes to the Program
Friday, December 8, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Speaker: Robin Walker

Robin Walker will give a summary of the 2017 Future Event Horse (FEH) Program, discuss the potential of a regional championships in Texas, a project being undertaken by Jane Lloyd, and review propositions for improving the judging protocol for FEH classes.

Form to Function for the Event Horse: Hoof Care & Anatomy
Friday, December 8, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Speaker: Bill Merfy

Farrier Bill Merfy will be speaking with attendees of this seminar about what the farrier sees.

Rehabilitating Your Sport Horse
Friday, December 8, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Speakers: Dr. Korin Potenza, DVM, CVA & Dr. Nick Huggons

Details coming soon!

Management and Gastrointestinal Health
Friday, December 8, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Speaker: Dr. Carey Williams

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is a prevalent problem in exercising horses of any discipline. A previous study found that 51-88% of riders of elite eventing horses reported feeding digestive aids presumably to prevent ulcers; however, only 30% of those riders indicated they had horses definitively diagnosed with EGUS. Also 42% of CCI2* and CCI3* event riders surveyed had one or more horses diagnosed with gastric ulcers, which resulted in gastric ulcers being the #1 nutritionally related disorder affecting event horses. While the exact prevalence of EGUS in event horses is unknown, it is clear that EGUS is a serious problem and could pose significant performance effects to the horse and economic burden to the riders. This fall, multiple institutions partnered to investigate gastrointestinal health in event horses as it is influenced by training intensity, competition level, transportation, and feeding practices in a survey study supported by the USEA. The study is part of a collaboration of equine nutritionists and veterinarians, and includes Drs. Carey Williams (Rutgers), Amy Burk (Univ. of Maryland), Burt Staniar (Penn State), Frank Andrews (Louisiana State), and Sarah Reuss (Boehringer Ingelheim). This presentation will reveal the preliminary findings of the survey study. We hope that the findings from the survey can be used by the USEA, veterinarians, and extension specialists to educate eventers on ways to identify and reduce the risk of gastric ulcers in their horses.

American Horse Trials Foundation
Saturday, December 9, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m
Speakers: Jodi Mort, Dave Emmons, Jim Graham, and Cathy Wieschhoff

The American Horse Trials Foundation is a non-profit corporation established to assist event riders and organizers in raising tax-deductible financial support for national and international competition. Since its inception in 1987 the AHTF has distributed over $21,000,000 directly to equestrian athletes and competition organizers for competitive activities. If you would like to assist equestrian athletes or are a rider or organizer needing financial support, you’re invited to attend the Foundation’s meeting. Perhaps they can fund your dream, too!

Constructing a Wellness Program for the Aging Performance Horse
Saturday, December 9, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Speaker: Dr. Cynthia MacKenzie

This presentation focuses on the growing importance of a strategic approach to wellness in the aging horse, with particular emphasis on aging horses that must remain in work—performance horses. The program highlights the rationale for a formal approach to wellness and the general components of a wellness program. Some particular concerns that impact the aging performance horse are briefly discussed—chronic cartilage “wear and tear” that can lead to DJD and laminitis considerations. The talk is geared to owners, trainers, and veterinarians as part of a collaborative “team” approach to a wellness strategy.

The full Convention schedule including presentations for all tracks can be viewed here.

Click here for more information about Convention highlights that you won’t want to miss.

Convention Registration is now open and available to active USEA members. To register, log into your Online Services account or fill out the registration form. The cutoff date for registration is November 15, so be sure to register soon!

Book your hotel room at the Westin Long Beach Hotel using the USEA room block rate through this link or by calling (888)-627-8403.

Click here for things to do in Long Beach. You can also check out places to dine, see, and shop at a discount with your USEA Convention badge by clicking here.

About the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention

The USEA Annual Meeting and Convention takes place each December and brings together a large group of dedicated USEA members and supporters to discuss, learn, and enjoy being surrounded by eventing enthusiasts. The 2017 Annual Meeting and Convention will take place at the Westin Long Beach Hotel in Long Beach, CA. December 6-10, 2017.