In this video break from the USEA Vault, originally provided in partnership with Eventing Training Online, David O’Connor coaches a group of riders through the ditch portion of a ditch and rail combination, providing essential tips on how to be successful with this difficult jump.
David O'Connor has represented the United States in the sport eventing at two Olympic Games, winning team silver at the 1996 Summer Olympics and individual gold and team bronze at the 2000 Summer Olympics, at the 1999 Pan American Games, where he earned individual silver and team gold, and at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, where he was on the gold medal-winning team. After his retirement from competition in 2004, he held top coaching roles for the U.S. and Canadian eventing teams and served as president of the USEF from 2004 to 2012. O'Connor was inducted in the USEA's Eventing Hall of Fame in 2009.
In this excerpt, trainer and educator Anne Buchannan explains bit contact connection and why it matters for true collection and healthy movement.
Familiarizing yourself with the key players at each horse trial is an important step to your success at your next competition. One of those important figures is the show secretary. Think of the show secretary as the mastermind behind most of the organizational efforts related to each horse trial. They manage entries, the show schedule, ride times, stabling, and so much more. Without the hard work of the show secretary and their office staff, a horse trial simply would not be able to operate.
The USEA Foundation is pleased to announce a new initiative, the Janet Briggs Fund for the Continuing Education of Licensed Officials. Established in memory of Janet Briggs, this fund honors her lifelong dedication to the sport of eventing by supporting the ongoing education and development of eventing licensed officials.
In the rolling countryside of Metamora, Michigan, there’s a place where eventers gather not just to compete, but to celebrate the spirit of the sport. Area VIII’s Hunter’s Run Farm—home to the Hunter’s Run Farm Horse Trials—has long been a beloved destination for riders across the Midwest, and this year, it’s gearing up for one of its most exciting seasons yet.