UNITED STATES EVENTING ASSOCIATION The United States Eventing Association (formerly know as the USCTA - United States Combined Training Association) is the national organization for Eventing competitions and education. Eventing could be termed an "equestrian triathlon." It involves working with a horse both on the flat and over fences. The three phases are: dressage, endurance (or cross-country), and show jumping. Over the centuries it has developed from the test of the ideal military charger. Eventing has now evolved into an exciting sport attracting interest from all levels of sports enthusiasts, from weekend hobby riders to professional international stars. With its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available all across the country, Eventing is a sport which provides competitive and recreational opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Today, the sport is most known for its cross-country phase where horse and rider gallop over an outside course of solid obstacles which the horse has never seen before. At the uppermost level of competition, Olympic or World Championship, the cross-country phase is the phase that appeals most to spectators and riders alike. It is the ultimate challenge to prepare a horse for this rigorous test. Unlike other sports, where only the human will and body are pitted against the clock, in eventing, two minds and bodies have to work as one. As an additional attraction, eventing is the only high-risk Olympic sport that permits men and women to compete as equals. There are no separate divisions and some of the top riders in the world today are women from many nations. In addition to the Olympic and Pan American Games, a World Championship is held every four years. The sport, however, is not limited to the international levels. It draws from a wide range of riders both in age and geography. We can boast of 75 year old riders competing in preliminary three-day events to youngsters of 10 and 11 at the entry level. In fact, since the more experienced riders are frequently training young horses at the lower levels, our young (and older) riders often have the challenge of competing against an Olympian-they sometimes even beat them! The members of the USEA are a fiercely loyal and dedicated group of people, true horseman. We are proud of their training and hard work, for at every level, including the entry level, our competitions provide a challenging test of discipline, ability and sportsmanship.
USEA - AREA VIII - Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan. Web Site: www.usea8.org
EMAIL From: Mike Winter [AreaChair@usea8.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008
Subject: Area 8 Activities at RolexTo all USEA Area 8 Members –
Spring is finally here – along with the sunshine and more warmth it is time to gear up for an annual trek to the Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event. As in past years there will be some Area 8 activities at Rolex – and I hope you can participate.
Area 8 Trade Fair Booth - We are fortunate to have a booth in the trade fair this year again – which should be in about the same location as last year – across from the dressage and stadium jumping arena. This year we will be offering a shopping bag check and selling a few silent auction items to raise money for area programs. In addition – we’ve invited the USEA Instructor Certification Program to participate in our booth. ICP is a worthwhile program – and area instructors will be on hand throughout the show to talk to both instructors and riders alike about the program and its benefits. If you’d like to learn more – stop by and visit awhile.
Volunteers Still Needed - As with every initiative – we can always use more help. Lee Kirkpatrick and Tracy Scott have graciously volunteered to lead the effort – but we need some more of you to take a couple hours out of your schedule and check bags. Shannon Risner is coordinating the volunteer times – and it you can help, please email Shannon at adultriders@usea8.org and let her know when you can fit it in your schedule.
XC Coursewalk with Cathy Wieschhoff - The past 3 years running Cathy Wieschhoff has donated her time and knowledge to lead a coursewalk around cross country. The time will be finalized – and should be around 1pm on Friday so a lot of people can join in. The course walk is ‘free’ – if you overlook that part where I ask for a $5 donation (come on, it is a fundraiser)!
May Events - In closing – there are still open rides at both Stonegate Farm and Greater Dayton scheduled for the 2nd and 3rd week of May. Closing date for each is soon – so now that the weather is getting good, come on out and join us in the fun. Send your entries!!Hope to see you out there,
Mike Winter
Area ChairEVENTING USA - TOPICS IN THIS WEEK'S USEA'S ONLINE MAGAZINE - April 20, 2008
USEA's Official Online Magazine and Blog Gets a Facelift!
After a brief hiatus, the USEA's official online Blog and e-magazine EventingUSA Online, is being updated daily with educational videos from esteemed riders and trainers, multimedia coverage from events, entertaining articles and stories from our members, book & new product reviews with eventers in mind, interesting links, bios about up-and-coming riders, and much more. It's free to become a member, and you can comment on the posts as much as you want - which we highly recommend! Simply click here to join our online community It's a great way to voice your opinions, offer helpful insights, and find out the latest scoop!Rolex Preview - T-5 Days and Counting! By Emily Daily
At the risk of sounding like a giddy child on Christmas morning, I have to say that I am absolutely STOKED about Rolex! And I know I’m not alone… ;) You know who you are - packin’ up your Wellies, checking the square footage of space in your car for maximum stuffage of your intended purchases, counting your pennies & cashing old birthday checks in eager anticipation of the ever-popular trade fair. Okay - let’s get down to brass tacks here… who’s going to be RIDING at Rolex? Which horses (and riders) do we get to ogle over and cheer on? Glad you asked… Click here to read moreRolex Preview - the Inside Scoop on USEA Logowear, New Posters, Entries, Demonstrations, Course Walks, and More! By Emily Daily
It's the most wonderful time of year for horse enthusiasts... nope, not Christmas (but nearly as good!)... Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event! Nestled in the lush, rolling hills of Lexington, Kentucky at the scenic Kentucky Horse Park, the most prestigious international three-day event in the United States is gearing up for an exciting week of breath-taking action, stunning world-class horses, top-caliber riders from different countries, and of course the biggest trade fair you could ever hope for! Get ready, because this year the USEA booth is going to be spectacular - so grab your check book, pack your rain coat (it's a spring horse trials - we know it's going to rain at least once!), and rally up your friends to get pumped up for the big event! Click here to read moreFull Wrap-Up of the Latest Adequan USEA Gold Cup Event, The Fork Horse Trials by Emily Daily
Heidi White-Carty and her long time partner Northern Spy were able to post a double-clear round this afternoon in the CIC3*W division at The Fork Horse Trials, taking home the Advanced trophy Adequan USEA Gold Cup division. After a long and very stormy weekend, with the grounds crew working around the clock to make sure the footing was ideal, the conditions of the course were excellent, the ground was lush and springy, and rave reviews came in droves. All in all, it was a very rewarding day for the sport of eventing. Don't forget to check out all the photo galleries and daily coverage on the USEA Blog! (Under the category "Events")
Click here to read moreIn April, All Roads Lead to Kentucky by Nan Rawlins
Nan Rawlins, one of the freelance writers for EventingUSA wrote us up a great piece on what lies ahead at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, Kentucky as well as the 2010 World Equestrian Games, also being held at the KY Horse Park. However, since Issue Two of EventingUSA will be in your mail boxes right around Rolex time, we figured we’d go ahead and give you a sneak peek of what’ll be happening at America’s four-star next week (wow, it’s already a week away!). Be sure to check out the rest of the article along with all the photos in the upcoming issue of the magazine! Click to read the restI Know I'm an Eventer, When... by Brad Turley
A few weeks ago while in FL at H/J Central I was coming back from the barn and stopped at the grocery store to pick up some carrots. As I was getting out of my truck an H/J type person noticed I had two saddles in the back. They asked if I was a Jumper or rode Dressage. I said, “Both, I Event? Next thing I know they ended the conversation and had to rush off to buy some radishes or something. When I told a few of my friends this story, a whole list of “I’m and Eventer because…” comments happened. I thought, why not, that should be good blog material. So with the help of my friends, 1T, Sharky and HS, here’s what we came up with. Hope you enjoy. Click to read the restDusty Cobwebs- First Event of the Season by Emily Daily
Well… it’s that time of the year again (at least for us ducks who don’t fly south for the winter). Time to get that first stinkin’ event of the year out of the way. You know what I’m talking about - first time back in a dressage ring, first time trying to memorize a stadium course, first time trying to BRAID in teen-degree weather, first time trying to scrounge up/organize/clean tack for all three phases (and locate lost flash attachment… WHY do I always lose my flash? Why? It’s inevitable… I should just make my own, darnit), etc… When all is said and done, you breathe a HUGE sigh of relief and say to yourself, "Aha! After I’m done icing/heating/icing/heating my poor aching muscles and reviewing the video/photo coverage of [said] event, now I can finally enjoy my season, because the FIRST one is now done. DONE. Halleluiah. Now, where’s my Omni, my calendar, and my checkbook?" Click to read the rest2008 Rolex Kentucky Live Pay-Per-View Webcast
Update from the Eventing Standards Task Force
2009 Le Samurai Fund
J. Michael Plumb to be First Equestrian Inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame
Course Design Seminar May 30 - June 1
USEA Launches Veterinary Research Committee to Prepare Study Into Pulmonary Hemorrhages
USEA Eventing Standards Task Force Proposes Rule Change Mandating Frangible PinsView Online Version
Newsletter Editor:
Emily Daily; 525 Old Waterford Road, NW; Leesburg, VA 20176 Tel: 703-779-0440 ext. 3015 Fax: 703-779-0550 email: emily@useventing.com Page design by Joshua A. Walker