photo via the lovely Samantha Clark
Good morning Eventing Nation!
This weekend is all about the USEA Convention in Colorado. The Broadmoor Estate looks absolutely picturesque. A super thank you for all the hard work Area IX put in to make this year’s convention spectacular, and as always, a huge thank you to the many tireless USEA volunteers that make our governing body run. For those of us unable to attend, which according to my Facebook is only Kate Samuels and myself, we’ve got John giving us the low down. This N&N is dedicated to DOC because he’s, well doing his job. Not only is he doing it, but he’s doing it so that we can all see what’s going on, where he’s coming from, what he expects, and what we think about it. For the first time ever in a long time I am actually excited about where eventing is headed. Can you believe all it took was a couple of seminars? It is so refreshing that in all reality all DOC had to do to impress us was very minimal, but he’s being the awesome DOC and taking this to the highest level we can go ad actually making a program with a vision. So DOC, this one’s for you.
Today’s Schedule:
7:30 AM – 5:00 PM USEA Convention Registration
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Continental Breakfast Sponsored by Rebecca Farm
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM USEA Trade Fair Vendors
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Horsemanship University
1. Training Solutions from Top Trainers
2. Management Solutions from Top Grooms and Barn Managers
3. Selecting the Best Event Horse for You
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM USEA Board of Governors Meeting
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM SpeedCheck Presentation
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Introduction to ICP Workshops
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MIM Pin Installation/Demonstration (USEF)
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM USEA National Year-End Awards Luncheon
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Organizers Open Forum
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Course Designers/Builders Seminar
2:15 PM – 4:00 PM Professional Riders Organization Annual Meeting
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM Young Event Horse Program: What You Need To Know
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Area Treasurers/Chairs Working Session (Committee Members Only)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Recent Innovations in Equestrian Safety Presented by Charles Owen
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM The Care and Coaching of our Future Olympians: Meet the New USEF Head Coach
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Competition Calendar/Rules Committee (Committee Members Only)
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Eventing Licensed Officials (Committee Members Only)
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Covering Ground: Preserving our Barns, Training Grounds, and Competition Venues
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Affiliate Meeting
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Area IX Year End Awards
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM USEA Endowment Trust (Committee Members Only)
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM USEF Eventing High Performance (Committee Members Only)
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Nutrena Nutrition Seminar Presented by Nutrena
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Professional Riders Organization Year End Awards
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM Young Riders Coordinators Training and Committee Meeting (Committee Members Only)
News & Notes:
The USEA has a recap of the first day of seminars. Covering Ground: Preserving our Barns, Training Grounds, and Competition Venues, Joint Health Facts: What You May Not Know?, and Eventing Calendar Planning for 2014 and Beyond were not covered by John here on EN, but are worth the quick read, especially about land conservation and what we can do now. [USEA]
If you really want to feel like you’re at the Convention, check out these lovely photographs of the Broadmoor. Leslie Threlkeld of the USEA (and SHN!) has photos of the scenery outdoors as well as inside the meeting rooms and hallways. Every photo depicts the intricate and luxurious decorum that is the Broadmoor. [USEA]
The recipient of the new Essex Grant will be announced today at the USEA Annual Convention. This grant is for the 25 and under crowd looking to transition to the senior ranks of eventing. This grant will help offset the cost of training, competing, and coaching fees. Named for the renowned Essex Horse Trials, the enthusiasm of the Young Riders was enough to get the Board behind this grant. [Go Essex]
Need even more Convention coverage? Chris Stafford has podcasts running all day. Check out the podcasts from day one with interviews with Jo Whitehouse, Tim Holekamp, Marilyn Payne, Jon Holling and Jonathan Elliot. [Listen in]
Boyd and Silva Martin have been named judges for the Constant Star OTTB for Sport challenge. Similar to John Madden Sale’s Challenge, this contest is looking for the next rising star. Boyd and Silva join Eric Dierks, Callie Schott, and Kimberly Clark on the judges panel. The wining horse receives three months of free training. [Go OTTBs]
Next year, there is a $70,000 bonus for the rider that can beat New Zealand’s record puissance. Allan Goodall currently holds the record at 2.13 meters. The winner of the puissance wins $5,000, but if you also clear 2.21 m (the required 0.8m more for the challenge) you will walk away with the additional $70k bonus. [Jump higher]
Hot on HN: 10 Signs Santa Forgot Your Stable [Your pony’s on the naught list]
Best of the Blogs/Found on Facebook: This isn’t technically a blog, but I stole it from Chris Lies’ Facebook page. She was integral in my Young Rider’s experience, and just an all around wonderful woman. A Father’s Explanation of Why He Had Horses for His Children.
This is guaranteed to make you smile. I’m a sucker for all things short, fat and hairy. Especially when they’re going nuts.
Go eventing.
