The 1996 Atlanta Olympics marked a turning point in the equestrian world’s approach to competing in challenging thermal climates, particularly with respect to the Summer Olympics where there is no option to schedule to avoid hot months of the year due to the fixed calendar. The U.S. equestrian community and researchers, supported by the USEF and USEA, played a major role in the FEI’s International collaborative research effort aimed at creating a knowledge base on equine thermoregulation and travel.
Dr. David Marlin was fortunate to be closely involved with both UK and U.S. groups of researchers and that research output and experience has facilitated his role as the FEI’s Climate Mitigation Advisor at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and Tokyo 2020. The FEI’s priorities for managing competitions in thermally challenging climates are first, horse and rider safety and welfare, and secondly, that no competitor should be disadvantaged by the conditions. In this talk, originally broadcast at the 2021 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, Dr. Marlin will explain how our experience since Atlanta 1996 has grown and how this was implemented in Tokyo 2020 to run a safe and successful Olympic Games.
About the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention
The USEA Annual Meeting & Convention takes place each December and brings together a large group of dedicated USEA members and supporters to discuss, learn, and enjoy being surrounded by other eventing enthusiasts. The USEA organizes multiple seminars in addition to committee meetings, open forums, and tons of fun! The 2022 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention will at the Hyatt Regency Savannah Hotel in Savannah, Georiga, December 7-11, 2022. Click here to learn more about the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention.
The Olympic gold medallists Tom McEwen and JL Dublin lit up the arena at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials with a stunning performance and took the lead after the first day of dressage with the excellent mark of 22.4. They have almost five penalties over second-placed Emily King and Valmy Biats on 27.3.
At some point in your riding career, you probably found yourself feeling or dealing with a little fear, failure, or frustration. We’ve all been there. Regardless of whether we’re competitive or recreational, we’ve likely found ourselves getting a bit stuck on stress or a struggle; dealing with a little defeat or disappointment, or feeling overwhelmed or underprepared.
We might still be recovering physically from the excitement of the 2025 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships, but mentally we keep playing the weekend over and over again in our heads. This is a weekend that many eventers and lovers of the sport all over the country (ourselves included) look forward to each year and this year was no exception. From teams getting to experience their first time ever at the championship to mascots swapping gear in a show of camaraderie, there were so many great moments that took place during this year's end-of-the-school-year event. Take a look at some of our favorite moments from the three day competition below!
As we gear up for the summer, the competition season isn’t slowing down and it’s time for one of the staple events on the international calendar in the U.S., the Tryon International Three-Day Event (Mill Spring, North Carolina). This event hosts one of five CCI4*-L events on the U.S. calendar, and this year there are 13 competitors in the field. Continue reading below for more interesting facts pertaining to the event that kicks off this Thursday, May 8.