The United States Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors held an emergency meeting on Friday, March 13 to discuss the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the U.S. eventing community. “While some parts of the U.S. are not yet seeing cases of the coronavirus, we are making these decisions with the entire country and membership in mind,” said USEA President Max Corcoran. “We need to reel in this virus as humans and help make an impact. The USEA is committed to the welfare and safety of our competitors, volunteers, officials, spectators, and fans.”
The USEA Board of Governors voted to suspend recognizing any competitions under its direct jurisdiction held in the U.S. at the Beginner Novice, Novice, and Training levels for a period of at least two weeks (14 days) starting on Monday, March 16. The suspension extends also to USEA recognized educational activities, Young Event Horse, Future Event Horse, and New Event Horse competitions.
Competitions held at the Modified level and above continue to fall under the jurisdiction of the US Equestrian Federation (USEF) and Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI).
Read the recommendations of the FEI for CCI events here.
Continued Monitoring
The USEA Board of Governors will continue to closely follow recommendations from the CDC, as well as state and federal government, and will monitor the increase in numbers of diagnosed cases, deaths, and geographical spread of the virus to reassess its position before the conclusion of the suspension period on March 30.
Unrecognized Activities
Competitions that choose to run between March 16-30 will do so without USEA recognition. Competitors attending those events will not be able to earn year-end or leaderboard points, USEA Classic Series qualifications, or USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) qualifications. If attending any eventing related activity the USEA strongly recommends that you follow the CDC guidelines for travel and sanitary practices and practice social distancing.
Rescheduling Activities
The USEA Board is committed to supporting date changes for any competitions scheduled to occur between March 16-30 as rescheduling is in the best interest of the sport. Any events wishing to reschedule for a date outside of the two-week suspension period should contact their Area chair to begin the calendaring process. The USEA has been notified that the USEF has agreed to waive any fees associated with date changes.
Reimbursement of Fees
The USEA will refund organizers' registration fees to all organizers that were paid to the USEA for events scheduled to take place between March 16-30. USEA starter fees are to be refunded to entered competitors by competition organizers.
Questions
The USEA is dedicated to the safety of our entire eventing community and looks to each stakeholder to help make smart decisions for the health of our sport and our country.
For questions about the USEA’s decision please contact [email protected].
A case of EHV-1 (neurological) has been reported in Ocala, Florida, similar in nature, but unrelated to the neurological strain of EHV-1 impacting Valencia (ESP) and other European countries. The horse was not shipped from Europe and was not on show grounds at the onset of symptoms. USEF is working closely with the Florida Department of Agriculture and state authorities who are completing contact tracing and identifying the potential source of the virus exposure.
Five-star eventer Kim Severson taught a show jumping clinic in January at Milestone Sport Horses in Lovettsville, Virginia where she instructed riders on the importance of forward riding for successful jumping. In this exercise, which Severson progressively adds additional pieces to, riders are instructed to focus on the quality of their canter.
On Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Central time, join Eric Dierks for a live stream interview with David O'Connor. David was an alternate for the 1988 Summer Olympics, and riding Wilton Fair, was part of the U.S. team at the 1990 World Equestrian Games, where he placed 35th individually and the team finished fourth.
Billy Jackson was introduced to horses at a young age through his local 4-H program. “One of my mom's close friends was a large animal vet and she really encouraged me to stay with it,” Jackson said. As an adult, he is a Marketing Project Manager, and when he’s not at work, he’s a lower level eventer based at Poplar Place Farm.