Mar 01, 2021

USEA Podcast #278: Team Talk #4

By USEA

We've got another Team Talk update for you listeners this week! Nicole Brown is joined once again by USEF Eventing High Performance Director Erik Duvander and USEF Managing Director for Eventing Jenni Autry to talk about the U.S. eventing team's path forward to Tokyo.

  • The first training camp of the year for members of the USEF High Performance Training Lists took place in Ocala last month with Duvander and show jumping coach Peter Wylde. Prior to that in January, Duvander and Autry made visits to individual riders to formulate training plans aiming for the Kentucky Three-Day Event, Tokyo, and the World Equestrian Games in 2022. The training session gave riders the chance to ride side-by-side with each other in a training setting and also allowed the team veterinarians and farrier to look at the horses before the start of the competition season.
  • Peter Wylde is new to coaching the U.S. team this year as the show jumping coach and Duvander said that he is excited to have Wylde on board.
  • Talk turns then to the Kentucky Three-Day Event, which it was announced earlier this month would not be running the CCI5*-L and then reversed the decision after a massive fundraising effort took place to help fund the event. Autry speaks about how important the Kentucky CCI5*-L is, not just from a big picture perspective, but also as a selection trial for Tokyo later this summer.
  • Duvander chimes in to comment on how lucky the U.S. is to be able to run events currently, under the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan, and that the quality of events in the lead-up to Kentucky is second-to-none. Riders are able to pick and choose what is going to be best for them and their horses.
  • Autry shares that Badminton Horse Trials and the Jersey Fresh International Horse Trials are also selection trials for Tokyo in addition to Kentucky, but that the majority of riders will be at Kentucky. USEF Network will be streaming the event for free, so even though spectators are not going to be allowed, people will be able to follow along from home.
  • Autry gives an update on the logistics being put in place to get horses and riders to Tokyo amid all the international travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including expectations for athletes and anyone else in attendance at the games. While this Olympic Games will be unlike any that's come before it, Autry reiterated the belief that eventers are a hearty, resilient bunch who will adapt in whichever ways are necessary to be successful.
  • Looking past Kentucky and towards Tokyo, Brown asks Duvander to talk about the final time schedule. The selectors will designate horses to be examined by the team veterinarian after Kentucky and Jersey, and then the team will be announced no later than June 1.
  • If you've missed any of the previous Team Talk episodes, check them out here, here, and here.

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Apr 22, 2025 News

In Memoriam: Dr. Timothy Holekamp (1946-2025)

The USEA is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Dr. Timothy “Tim” Holekamp on April 19. He was 79.

Apr 22, 2025

Shop New USEA Merchandise at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event

While we all attend the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event for the competition, the next best thing about the event is definitely the shopping! The USEA is excited to be back on-site at the Kentucky Horse Park for the competition this year and to debut some all-new apparel items for the 2025 season. Here is a sneak preview of what you can expect to see at our booth, located just behind the Rolex Stadium next to the large Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event booth, this year.

Apr 22, 2025 Competitions

Fast Facts: 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event

They don't call it the "Best Weekend All Year" for no reason! If you love the sport of eventing (or just horses in general) the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is most likely a staple on your calendar or a must-see on your bucket list. This week, thousands of eventing lovers will flock to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, for one of two U.S.-based five-stars that takes place each year, as well as top-shelf CCI4*-S competition and two nights of spectacular show jumping.

Apr 22, 2025 Adult Riders

USEA Adult Riders Program to Host Course Walk with Derek di Grazia at 2025 #K3DE

Will you be at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this year? Are you a member of the USEA Adult Rider Program? Then you will not want to miss out on this exciting opportunity to join cross-country course designer Derek di Grazia on a walk of the CCI5*-L cross-country course. The USEA-hosted event will take place at 8:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, April 24.

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