The future of three-day eventing is in the new USEA Event Management System (EMS)! This new software system will allow for competitors, coaches, organizers, and secretaries to have relevant event information in their hands. By using advanced technology, this new software system will be an all-encompassing tool used to provide a well-organized, smooth competition with limited contact and instant updates.
EMS has been designed by experts of the equestrian community with input from multiple event organizers, secretaries, scorers, and more. The design has accounted for the fact that each event runs a little differently. The system will provide every feature necessary for running and competing in an event. The system will manage entries, scheduling, scoring, purchases, stabling, important updates, and optional enhanced features. In addition, the system will allow custom scoring solutions for different types of events including live scoring for intercollegiate team challenges. The system is not limited to just recognized events, as it will support various types of competitions, clinics, schooling shows, and educational activities.
The new system will support manual entries and imports from USEA Xentry and other third-party entry systems.
Events can push out real-time communications, registration changes, purchases, or account reconciliations to and from participants via smartphones or other devices through the USEA Event Companion app. Therefore, EMS will help eliminate competitor confusion during an event and offer a game-changing experience. For example, if there is a rain delay, you may receive an EMS alert. Need to close your tab on shavings? You can pay through EMS. There’s not enough time to pick up a dressage test? View it on your EMS profile. There’s a specific jump on cross-country that has caused several runouts? Check EMS scoring.
EMS Background
The BOG approved the development of the system in 2019 after several years of studying the current systems and analysis of costs and benefits. The USEA contracted The Jockey Club Technology Services, Inc. to help build, support, and maintain the new system.
EMS Cost
The EMS will be fully supported by the riders and events that use it and not through USEA membership dues. The individual cost to the events to use the product is still being determined, but the goal is to make it as affordable as possible.
Benefits of Using EMS
EMS provides one location with everything needed to run an event, state-of-the-art technology, enhanced scoring systems, real-time updates, easy accessibility, cost-effective, 24/7 support for organizers and secretaries, and more.
The Future of EMS
This new system will roll out in 2021. The USEA is offering events to sign up as test events for the Fall eventing season of 2020.
For more information on EMS, please read EMS Frequently Asked Questions or contact [email protected].
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.
With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.
The USEA office will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, and will reopen again on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The USEA staff will return emails and phone calls when the office re-opens on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 or at their earliest convenience.