Jul 20, 2020

USEA Podcast #262: #FrangibleNow

By USEA

In the latest episode of the USEA Podcast, Nicole Brown talks with USEA CEO Rob Burk and Jon Holling, Chair of the Cross-Country Safety Subcommittee, to get an update on the Frangible Technology Fund and the impact that it has had on the sport so far.

  • Brown introduces Holling and he takes a moment to explain his role as a member of the Safety and Equine Welfare Committee and Chair of the Cross-Country Safety Subcommittee. The committee, which is in its fourth year, is tasked with reviewing issues that crop up within the cross-country portion of the sport, including accidents or anything they view as possibly causing an issue down the road, and then come up with recommendations for making the sport safer. Part of his role involves liaising with the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).
  • The USEA has been committed to making advances in safety in the sport for many years. Click here to view some of the different safety initiatives the USEA has been involved in over the years.
  • This spring, the USEA Foundation joined forces with a group of dedicated eventers to launch the Frangible Technology Fund to help fund the construction of frangible tables at the Preliminary level and above at events across the country. The USEA Foundation received a matching donation from the Manton Foundation of $250,000 to help the Fund reach its goal of $500,000. So far, the Fund has raised over $323,000, and Holling acknowledged that none of that would have been possible without the membership.
  • "My hope is that we get to the $500,000 goal and then we do the next thing and then we do the next thing and the next thing, and that we get to the place where every single fence that can be frangible on cross-country is able to be frangible on cross-country, and should be."
  • Equally important to Holling is maintaining the essence and the true spirit of cross-country. By keeping a penalty associated with activating a frangible device, Holling believes riders will continue to respect the fences and give them the ride they deserve.
  • Burk speaks a bit more about how the grant program came together and the process that event organizers used to apply for the grant and receive the frangible equipment and funds to assist with the build of the fences.
  • Holling has literal skin in this game - as part of the fundraising initiative, he promised to have #FrangibleNow tattooed on his ribs! Do you have a suggestion for what Holling should do when we reach our goal of $500,000? Email [email protected]!
  • Ready to do your part? Visit www.useafoundation.org to donate to the Frangible Technology Fund today!

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May 27, 2023 Eventing News

Auburn Leads, USC Aiken in the Hunt After Cross-Country at the 2023 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship

Chants of “War Eagle” were heard from end to end of the White Oak cross-country course as the overnight leaders and defending champions from Auburn University tore between the red and white flags Saturday to remain atop the leaderboard of the 2023 Intercollegiate Eventing Championship at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC).

May 27, 2023 News

Horse Owners Urged to Participate in Economic Impact Study for the Equine Industry

The last three years have been a time of great change throughout the country for homes, businesses and industries. Rising costs of living, shrinking of assistance and changes in demographics have affected so much of our world, and that includes the equine industry. However, not all of the changes are easy to identify. This is why the American Horse Council (AHC), together with the U.S. Equestrian Federation, has kicked off what could be one of the biggest studies in more than 50 years with the 2023 National Economic Impact Study (EIS) for the equine industry.

May 26, 2023 Intercollegiate

Tigers on Top: Auburn University Leads 2023 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship After Dressage

Twenty-three teams from 13 colleges and universities have traveled far and wide for the seventh annual USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, North Carolina.

May 26, 2023 About Us

Meet the USEA Staff: Programs, Partnerships, & Marketing

If you have been involved at a higher level with the USEA, you probably recognize the names of the two ladies that spearhead all of the efforts of the USEA’s Programs, Partnerships, and Marketing department: Kate Lokey, Director of Programs and Marketing, and Kaleigh Collett, Marketing Coordinator, but a new member of this team has also joined the USEA staff in Heather Johnson, Programs and Inventory Assistant. If you have considered advertising with the USEA or are involved in the USEA’s Young Event Horse, Emerging Athletes U21, New Event Horse, Adult Riders, Young Riders, Classic Series, or Grooms programs, you probably have or most likely will interact with one of these staff members.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Real Estate Partner of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

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