United States Eventing Association

USEA Convention Track Preview: Eventers

The countdown to the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention at the Westin Long Beach Hotel in Long Beach, California, December 6-10 continues this week with a preview of the second of the three tracks that will be offered at this year’s convention.

Last week we previewed the different topics that will be discussed in the “Events” track, and this week we’re going to give you a taste of what’s to come in the “Eventers” track. Stay tuned for next week’s sneak peek at the final of the three tracks, “Equine!”

USEA Intercollegiate Program
Thursday, December 7, 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Moderator: Kate Lokey

Join the USEA for an informative session about the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program. Listen to representatives from the USEA Committee that have helped form eventing teams at various colleges and universities and discuss ideas for how to grow the program in the future.

USEF Eventing High Performance Riders
Thursday, December 7, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Meet Erik Duvander, the new Eventing Performance Director, and receive additional program details, including plans for 2018 and beyond.

Professional Horseman’s Council
Thursday, December 7, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Moderator: Leslie Law

The Professional Horseman’s Council is composed of active members of the USEA who are professionals in all aspects of the sport. The Council’s purpose is to facilitate communications between professionals and the eventing community, including governing bodies, officials, organizers, and competitors to facilitate further development, growth, and safety of the sport.

USEF Eventing Elite, Developing, and Emerging Athletes
Thursday, December 7, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

This is a general meeting covering information on the program structure and administrative USEF ideas.

Wake-up, Warm-up, Workout
Friday, December 8, 8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Speaker: Daniel Stewart

Start your day off right with a refreshing jog and invigorating work-out!

Introduction to EquiRatings in America
Friday, December 8, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Speakers: Jenni Autry, Diarm Byrne, and Robert Winter

EquiRatings is an Equestrian Data and Technology company working with major federations around the world. They spoke at the 2016 USEA Convention on the role of data in equestrian sports. Since that date, they have agreed to a contract with the USEA to provide the ERQI (EquiRatings Quality Index) service, which uses predictive analysis to reduce cross country falls. This presentation will center on the early steps of this relationship and the practical steps around implementation over the coming years.

2018 Dressage Test Preview
Friday, December 8, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Speaker: Marilyn Payne and Matt Brown

This presentation will be a panel discussion led by members of the Test Writing Committee Marilyn Payne and Matt Brown, highlighting changes in the dressage tests for 2018. There will be videos to explain how to ride the new movements as well as comment-writing for the tests. There will be a variety of videos from Beginner Novice to Advanced with lots of time for questions!

Membership Development
Friday, December 8, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Speakers: Dawn Robbins, Janet Gunn, and Liz Hoskinson

By looking ahead down the road, tracking trends, and by listening to the concerns and ideas of the USEA membership, the Membership Development Committee endeavors to keep the eventing experience responsive and satisfying for our current membership and attractive and exciting for potential new members. Please join us at the Open Forum, where concerns and solutions can be aired.

Sport is Played with the Body, but Won with the Mind
Friday, December 8, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Speaker: Abigail Lufkin

Do you wish you could make your nervousness work for rather than against you? When mistakes happen, do you find yourself going over and over them, feeling worse and worse and having difficulty moving on? Do you feel that you have done everything; lessons, vets, blacksmiths, clinics, to be the best you can be but still something holds you back from achieving your goals? If any of this sounds familiar, this seminar is for you! The interactive presentation will review the 9 Mental Skills of Successful Athletes (copy write J. Lesyk) and discuss how you can utilize them to achieve your best performances. Come and train your brain to be your secret weapon for success!

Rider Fitness Bootcamp
Friday, December 8, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Speaker: Daniel Stewart

For the first time ever a fitness program designed just for riders! Treat and train yourself like an athlete by experiencing the fitness program Coach Stewart teaches at the US Olympic Training center. Learn how to build a fast-paced and exciting bootcamp that will improve your strength, stamina, suppleness, and core-strength using medicine balls, stability balls, exercise bands, agility ladders, speed ropes, balance pods, and more!

Bridging the Eventing Pipelines
Friday, December 8, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Speaker: Brian Sabo

Brian Sabo will present an overview of the many participation avenues available for eventing enthusiasts. As a person who has been involved in Eventing for over 50 years, Brian brings a lifetime of information to the seminar. “Where you are now is not where you have been and certainly not where you will be.” Be prepared for your next steps! The discussion will follow potential timelines from childhood beginner riders to senior volunteers. Each phase of participation will be dissected and shown to have a critical and necessary part in the success and long-term health of the sport. People about to transition to different phases of their participation and those that are wondering, “What’s next for me?” will particularly benefit from attending. Emphasis will be placed on how a person can be involved and stay relevant at every level. Additionally, there will be critical points developed regarding the financial concerns our participants are facing and how to survive in an increasingly expensive sport. The seminar will be interesting for participants of all ages and levels of involvement.

Young Event Horse Program: What You Need to Know
Friday, December 8, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Speakers: Marilyn Payne and Kate Lokey

Young Event Horse Committee Chair, Marilyn Payne, and Staff Liaison, Kate Lokey, will explain the ins and outs of the YEH program and how to properly bring your 4- and 5-year-old along through the program.

ERAofNA Annual Meeting
Friday, December 8, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Moderators: Samantha Lendl, Rick Wallace and Allison Springer

Jump in and engage with the Eventing Riders Association of North America. Join ERA of NA members for the Annual Meeting to learn more about the organization and initiatives to improve the overall safety, welfare, visibility, and growth of the sport. Then, stay for the ERA of NA Year End Awards as we celebrate outstanding individuals that have had a major impact on the sport of eventing in North America.

Confidence, Camaraderie & Coffee
Saturday, December 9, 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Speaker: Daniel Stewart

Start you day off right with a team-building session sure to boost your confidence!

Turning Setbacks into Comebacks
Saturday, December 9, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Speaker: Daniel Stewart

Enjoy this wonderfully upbeat and motivating seminar based on Coach Stewart's books Pressure Proof Your Riding, and Equestrian Fit and Focused in 52. Discover how to improve your confidence, concentration, and courage by learning a series of unique and surprising tools that will help you overcome fears, pressure, mistakes, show jitters, negative memories, doubt, and more. See how easy it can be to turn setbacks into comebacks!

How Rider Injuries Differ by Gender
Saturday, December 9, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Speaker: Roy Burek (Charles Owen)

Professor Roy Burek shares how recent research indicates that the risk factors for men and women are different in equestrian accidents. What steps can you take to lessen your risk? Attend this seminar to find out!

USEF Eventing Sport Committee
Saturday, December 9, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

This is a general Committee Meeting and will cover administrative duties and rule change discussion.

Young Riders Open Forum
Saturday, December 9, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Moderators: Diane Snow and Vicki Howard-Fine

The Young Riders Open Forum provides an opportunity for all Young Riders to share ideas, make suggestions, and learn what is happening nationally in the program. Members of the Youth Council will be available to take about their developing role with Young Riders.

ICP Education/Certification for YEH Instructors and YEH Professional Trainers
Saturday, December 9, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Speakers: Robin Walker, Sue Hershey, Phyllis Dawson, and Mary D'Arcy

Panelists Robin Walker, Phyllis Dawson, Mary D'Arcy, and Sue Hershey will describe the USEA Instructors' Certification Program's two Young Event Horse certificates: YEH Instructor and YEH Professional Trainer. They will then lead a discussion with the audience about principles and practices for the teaching and the ridden training of young event horses. Join us and share ideas and questions based upon your own experiences teaching, training, and observing the development of young event horses!

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.