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!

Subscribe to the USEA Official Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PodBean, or Stitcher!

Sep 26, 2023 Competitions

Start Your Engines—Starter Level to Be USEA Recognized for 2024 Eventing Season

At the August USEA Board of Governors meeting, a proposition was brought forth to officially recognize what is commonly referred to as “Starter level” as a USEA division. For many years now, Starter level has been offered as a test at USEA approved events. The decision to recognize the level officially would allow those competing in Starter level divisions to receive recognition on the USEA Leaderboards and to compete at the Starter level at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) in the future. The motion was approved to recognize this level, and the USEA staff have been hard at work preparing all of the rules, guidelines, and standards that will go along with this level’s recognition for the 2024 season.

Sep 25, 2023 Eventing News

Four-Star Victory by Karma and Alliston Have Them Ready to Take on the World

Karma is developing into one of the fastest and most-reliable cross-country horses in the West. The 9-year-old bay Oldenburg mare and James Alliston won their third-straight blue ribbon together at either the four-star or Advanced level in the CCI4*-S at the Twin Rivers Fall International in Paso Robles, California, with the only double-clear cross-country round on Saturday.

Sep 25, 2023 News

USEA Podcast #344: The Allistons Answer All

Most couples share a kiss and part ways at 8:00 a.m. as they head off to their own work days, but eventing power couple James and Helen Alliston do it all together. We gave our USEA members the opportunity to submit their questions for this West Coast-based couple, and USEA Podcast host Nicole Brown gets them to share all on many topics: eventing in the U.S. versus the U.K., who is the most competitive of the two, dealing with warmer temperatures, why James likes to drive illegally slow, and so much more!

Sep 24, 2023 Eventing News

Grald and Diara Persevere to Win CCI4*-S at Plantation Field

The Plantation Field International CCI4*-S concluded today with the cross-country phase, and the final standings were nearly a matter of “last one standing.” As Tropical Storm Ophelia brought a torrential downpour to the area, a number of riders decided to opt out: of 39 competitors, only six completed, and 17 withdrew before the start of cross-country.

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

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA