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.

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Mar 18, 2024 Interscholastic

Double the Fun for the Spirit Award Contests at the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships

The coveted Spirit Award, which originated from the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship and quickly became as important as the competition itself, will be returning this year with double the excitement at the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships! With the two program championships merging for the first time, the organizing team at Stable View is committed to making the weekend an unforgettable experience for these middle school, high school, and undergraduate students. Separate Spirit Contests will be offered for each program , and Stable View has generously donated perpetual trophies for the two contest champions. The 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Championships will be held at the Stable View Local Charities H.T. on May 4-5, 2024 in Aiken, SC. Click here to learn more and prepare to enter on opening day tomorrow, Tuesday, March 19!

Mar 17, 2024 Membership

Membership Minute: How Lucky I Am to Have My Horse

Sometimes all it takes is a little luck on your side to make your dreams come true. We recently asked our USEA membership to share why they feel so lucky to be partnered with the horses they compete with, and we received over 100 heartwarming stories! We compiled some of our favorites below in celebration of today’s luck-themed holiday.

Mar 16, 2024 Eventing News

Miks Master C Passes the Test at SRF Carolina International CCI4*-S

With Paris Olympic team selection this summer as a big goal, Liz Halliday headed out onto Ian Stark’s CCI4*-S cross-country course today at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International hoping to make the time with Miks Master C and show off a smooth round. After leading the division from day 1’s dressage on a 22.5, Halliday was able to accomplish both things and win aboard Ocala Horse Properties’ and Deborah Palmer’s 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Mighty Magic x Qui Luma CBF).

Mar 15, 2024 Eventing News

Miks Master C Makes Easy Work of Show Jumping at SRF Carolina International

The standings after today’s CCI4*-S show jumping at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International shuffled with 14 double-clear rounds out of 35 to start, but Liz Halliday stayed right where she was at the top of the leaderboard aboard Miks Master C.

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