In lieu of the USEA Educational Symposium, which could not be held this year due to COVID-19, this week we are bringing you educational content from the USEA Instructors' Certification Program, the USEA Young Event Horse program, and the USEA Future Event Horse program.
Want to learn the difference between a ‘flashy mover’ and ‘correct mover’? Or which conformation flaws inhibit an event horse’s performance? USEA Future Event Horse (FEH) Committee Co-Chairs Robin Walker and Susan Graham White along with 2019 USEA FEH Championship judges Chris Ryan and Peter Gray share a look into FEH judging in this educational video.
These four experts thoroughly discuss what makes a good event horse. For conformation, they discuss what judges should look for, what good conformation looks like, and what conformation flaws could hinder an event horse’s performance. For assessment of gaits, Gray explains the top characteristics that he looks for, Graham White explains correct movement, and Ryan explains how conformation can affect movement. Graham White and Walker also go through a step-by-step explanation of how to judge a FEH competition.
Two videos on the handling of Future Event Horses for competition are also available here.
The USEA introduced the Future Event Horse Program in 2007 in response to the popularity of the already established USEA Young Event Horse Program. Where the YEH program assesses 4- and 5-year-old prospective event horses based on their performance, the FEH program evaluates yearlings, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, and 4-year-olds for their potential for the sport based on conformation and type. Yearlings, 2-year-olds, and 3-year-olds are presented in-hand while 4-year-olds are presented under saddle at the walk, trot, and canter before being stripped of their tack and evaluated on their conformation. Divisions are separated by year and gender. At the Championships, 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds are also required to demonstrate their potential over fences in an additional free-jump division. Click here to learn more about the Future Event Horse Program.
The USEA would like to thank Bates Saddles, Parker Equine Insurance, SmartPak, Standlee Hay Company, and Etalon Diagnostics, for sponsoring the Future Event Horse Program.
There are so many things to love about the USEA Classic Series: the way the conditioning and preparation strengthens your bond with your horse, the educational opportunities to enhance your skills as a rider, and, of course, your chance to experience the rush of the classic long format three-day event. There are eight Classic Series events taking place across the U.S. in the 2022 season and they are a great goal for many horse and rider pairs to work towards. Featuring the traditional long-format phases of roads and tracks and steeplechase in addition to the three regular phases of a horse trial, a USEA Classic Series event puts partnerships to the ultimate test. For riders who have already ticked off completing a long-format event from their bucket list, looking back on the thrill of steeplechase before heading out on cross-country often comes with fond memories. Check out what these USEA riders had to say about their favorite steeplechase moments!
After traveling the world last year and campaigning on the East Coast to start this year, Julianne Guariglia’s 11-year-old Argentine Sport Horse mare Solaguayre California (Casparo x Solaguayre Calandria) returned to competition in the home state of her rider, Tamie Smith, to win the Advanced level at the Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials held over Fourth of July Weekend in Paso Robles, California.
The USEA Member Rewards Program has been rewarding USEA members since 2016 with offers ranging from car rentals to hotel stays. Now there are two more exciting offers available for USEA Rewards members. Introducing eHealth and TripPlanet!
It makes perfect sense that a rider would want to partner up with a wild mustang for eventing—big risk, big reward! But more importantly, big heart.