Naughty pony at Plantation (photo by Jenni Autry)
Much has been said over the last couple days about the now infamous water complex at Plantation Field. To me, a well run competition is built with the welfare of the horse and the general well-being of the competitor in mind. I like the stabling to be organized nicely, with water and trailers convenient to the location. I want the warm up to be good footing, but more importantly I likethe warm up to be on the same footing as the competition ring. And we all have our favorite cross country course designers, and each of those individuals have their own style, but I do enjoy when an event listens and responds to rider concerns about questions on course.
After competing for several years at various different levels, I consider myself quite well versed in the ways of the official USEA competition. I’m also lucky enough to compete on the East Coast, which has some of the most prestigious and well heeled events in North America, and I’ve been to almost all of them as a competitor, and the rest as a groom or spectator in the very least. Each location has its own benefits and drawbacks, and there is no perfect competition that pleases every last rider with all of the factors.
The controversial CIC3* jump at Plantation
The controversy surrounding the CIC3* water jump made me realize there’s a need to shuttle concerns and questions into a positive place of influence. Obviously, we all have our unique needs and desires when attending a competition. Inevitably, there are grumblings about this or that after an event has concluded, but what of it? Amongst the riders, there might be a general consensus that the food was terrible, the barn aisles were 3 feet wide, and the course design made absolutely no sense at all, but the organizers may not hear these voices.
Enter the Event Evaluation Form from the USEA. This is literally a five-minute process that can greatly enhance both your experience at a competition and the potential for positive change in your greater area. If you have experienced either negative or positive aspects of an event, fill one out! No, this is not a tool to bring all your gripes and pains about how your horse didn’t do well in the dressage because the judge has a personal issue with you, but it is a place to list constructive criticism and thoughtful praise. The form asks about each of the phases, including the course design. You can say it all. [USEA Event Evaluation Form]
Not only is this extraordinarily easy, but you don’t even have to be a rider to send a form in to the USEA. There is a need for perspectives of grooms, spectators, horse owners and even volunteers. So next time you have a concern, dissatisfaction or especially an admiration for a job well done, take a moment to fill out an Event Evaluation Form and spur some positive change for the future.
