Jun 22, 2020

USEA Podcast #260: Team Talk

By USEA

Nicole Brown is joined by USEF Eventing High Performance Director Erik Duvander and USEF Managing Director of Eventing Jenni Autry for an update on U.S. High Performance - the first of a regular segment which will follow the U.S. Eventing team's journey on the road to Tokyo 2021.

  • Duvander and Autry lead off the episode by introducing themselves to our listeners and explaining a bit about their roles with the USEF. Together the pair are tasked with envisioning the road map forward for high performance eventing in the United States. Duvander is backed by an Advisory Board of key players in the eventing world and Autry has a strong team in the USEF office supporting the high performance team.
  • Autry shares what the COVID-19 shutdown looked like from her perspective - it included a lot of wait-and-see planning and creative thinking to maintain the program's momentum and shift to accommodate all the changes due to COVID-19.
  • According to Duvander, the shutdown has actually given riders the chance to focus in a way they don't usually have the opportunity to in the middle of the season, and the extra time to prepare for Tokyo 2021 will only be to the team's benefit.
  • The stress riders undergo when they compete at an Olympic Games or a championships can be substantial, and Duvander observed that the stress and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated the exceptional strength of character of the U.S. high performance athletes.
  • Autry reviews the changes to the qualification process for Tokyo 2021 and what riders who have already qualified will need to do to maintain their qualifications. Duvander examines the chances rider will have to earn those qualifications this fall, which include Morven Park, Galway Downs, Ocala Jockey Club, and Les 5 Étoiles de Pau.
  • Autry discusses some of the logistical considerations that go into planning for transporting the horses to an Olympic Games.
  • In closing, Duvander considers the advantages of having championships in back-to-back years, which will happen in 2021 and 2022 with the Olympics and World Eventing Championships. As the High Performance Director, Duvander doesn't just work with the riders' listed horses, but all the horses in their string, so he has a good sense of the horses coming up the pipeline for future championships.

Subscribe to the USEA Official Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PodBean, or Stitcher, or click below to listen in!

Dec 23, 2024 Education

Saddle Fit Simplified

Eventers who are new to the sport may feel a little overwhelmed by the often-misunderstood world of saddle fitting. Riders are often bombarded with information from peers online or self-described experts, putting them at risk of following bad advice related to equipment that impacts horse welfare perhaps more than any other piece of tack. Finding a qualified expert to answer these questions is crucial. Who better to turn to than both a qualified Master Saddle Fitter and a fourth-generation saddle designer to answer some of these questions?

Dec 22, 2024 USEA Foundation

Top Tips for Applying for a USEA Foundation Grant

Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!

Dec 21, 2024 Education

3 Ways to Help Eventing Thrive in 2025

With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.

Dec 20, 2024 Sponsor

“Happy Horse Equals Happy Judge”: Ask An Expert with Dressage Judge Peter Gray, Brought to You by Ride iQ

Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA

Official Shockwave of the USEA

Official Horse Wear of the USEA