Welcome to Fort Lauderdale! Photo by Daniel Dudek/Creative Commons.
It’s that time of year again! Eventers from all across the country are heading to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to attend the 2016 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention this weekend at the Diplomat Resort & Spa. For those of us who live in parts of the U.S. where winter has arrived, the USEA Convention presents a wonderful opportunity to get out of the cold for a few days and enjoy the sunshine.
Beyond an excuse for a warm-weather getaway, the Convention also presents a time for USEA members from all backgrounds — professionals, amateurs, officials, organizers and beyond — to come together and discuss critical issues facing the sport at a national level.
This year’s USEA Convention schedule is packed with open forums and educational sessions you don’t want to miss. Be sure to check out the entire schedule to plan your Convention itinerary, and we’ve highlighted five must-do things below. See you in Fort Lauderdale, EN!
USEA Annual Meeting of Members and Luncheon
Saturday noon-2 p.m. Great Hall 3
The one and only William Fox-Pitt will deliver the keynote address at this year’s luncheon. The Annual Meeting is also an exciting time as we thank outgoing Board of Governors members and welcome new faces. The following are joining the Board of Governors this year: Max Corcoran, Janis Linnan, Jennifer Miller, Darin Mollett, Morgan Rowsell, Alice Sarno and Jerry Schurink.
Rio Olympic Games Recap with Phillip Dutton
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2-3 p.m. Great Hall 2
This is your chance to hear the first-hand account of our individual bronze medalist Phillip Dutton at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games! (You can definitely expect to hear a play-by-play of Phillip and Mighty Nice’s incredible save at the corner combination on cross country.)
Town Hall and Summit Recap
Saturday 3-4 p.m. Great Hall 2
Following the Eventing 2016-2026 USEA Summit at the 2015 USEA Convention, town hall meetings were then held in every area of the country this year to discuss key issues facing the sport. USEA CEO Rob Burk and USEA President Diane Pitts will present the findings from the town hall meetings, show members how they can track the progress of recommendations that were made, and discuss how member input will be used to better the sport going forward.
USEA Year-End Awards Dinner
6:30-9:30 p.m. Great Hall 3
Jimmy Wofford will once again emcee the USEA Year-End Awards Ceremony, which is always a highlight of the USEA Convention. We’re also in for an extra special treat this year, as The Fork at Tryon International Equestrian Center is sponsoring a South Beach After Glow Party following the awards dinner starting at 9:30 p.m.
EquiRatings with Sam Watson and Diarm Byrne
Saturday 10:30-11:30 a.m. Room 314
By now you’ve heard of the Irish stats chaps who are changing the face of equine sports data analysis. EquiRatings co-founders Sam Watson and Diarm Byrne have traveled all the way from Ireland to lead a session on how data science can lead to a better and safer sport. If you love following EquiRatings on Twitter, you’re going to love this session!
USEA Convention Links: Website, Schedule, EN’s Coverage, Instagram, Twitter
