It’s time to kick things off at the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, this year hosted in picturesque Savannah, GA at the Hyatt Regency Savannah Hotel. The Annual Meeting & Convention is an opportunity for all USEA stakeholders to gather and connect over the past year’s endeavors. It’s a time to hand out a few awards and grants, to meet on important topics and proposed rule changes, and to give riders of all backgrounds the opportunity to share their thoughts.
It’s a full schedule of informative action this week, and I’ll be on the ground beginning Friday to bring you some reports from key sessions. I’ve got a few ideas of what my days will look like, but here are a few sessions that look particularly interesting. The full Convention schedule can be found here.
Friday, December 9
8:00 a.m.: Proper Warm-up and Cool Down for Riders with Coach Tony Sandoval
Rider fitness is imperative to safe and effective riding. Tony Sandoval is based in Kentucky and works with multiple riders, so it’s safe to say he knows how to get a rider feeling and performing their best! Tony will also be leading an “Age is Just a Number!” session on Saturday morning at 8 a.m.
10:00 a.m.: Incident Management with Rob Burk, Cindy Deporter, Tim Murray, Sarah Broussard, Rusty Lowe, and Dr. Kimberly Keeton
Managing a risk-heavy sport is a big responsibility, and how we respond to incidents matters. This panel discussion should yield some interesting insights into how risk is managed at competitions.
10:00 a.m.: How Tech Can Supports the Best Eventers of the Future, with Kyle Carter, Jessa Lux, and McKinsey Lux
Technological advances are coming — but how we can we make the most of it to improve our sport and inform ourselves as riders?
5:00 p.m.: Development and Uses of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram: A Performance Checklist, with Dr. Sue Dyson
I’m super keen to learn more about Dr. Sue Dyson’s research. She’ll be giving a presentation on her Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram that’s sure to be well worth attending to better understand our horses.
12:00 p.m.: USEA Year End Awards Luncheon
Always a popular event, the Awards Luncheon is hosted by Jim Wolf, who celebrates the achievements of all recipients for the season. It’s a festive one, well worth attending if you’re in town for it!
Saturday, December 10
8:00 a.m.: Safety Committee Open Form, with Max Corcoran, Jonathan Holling, Sarah Broussard, and Dr. Jennifer Miller
Hear from members of the USEA Safety Committee on statistics and developments in the sport’s safety-conscious initiatives.
10:00 a.m.: Making Strides for Equality and Growing the Sport, with Dr. Anastasia Curwood and Heather Gillette
Learn about diversity, equity, and representation within our sport — and why this is so important.
11:00 a.m.: Rule Change Open Form, with Malcolm Hook
Get the latest on upcoming and proposed rule changes that can affect competition and qualifications.
12:00 p.m.: USEA Annual Meeting of Members Luncheon and Keynote Presentation
Hear from USEA leadership on the 2022 season + more from Dr. Sue Dyson, this year’s keynote speaker.
2:00 p.m.: FEI World Championship Riders Recap, with Bobby Costello, Max Corcoran, Will Coleman, Tamie Smith, Lauren Nicholson, Boyd Martin, and Ariel Grald
Hear from the Pratoni silver medalists themselves as they recap a banner year for US Eventing and look ahead to what’s coming next: Pan Ams and Paris 2024.
6:30 p.m.: USEA’s Eventing Hall of Fame Gala
The USEA is proudly presents the 8th edition of the USEA’s Eventing Hall of Fame induction gala. This year, five new inductees will join this esteemed group of eventing legends: Janie Atkinson, Col. Harry Chamberlain, Trish Gilbert, Sally O’Connor and Eagle Lion.
Sunday, December 11
9:00 a.m.: Incoming USEA President Louise Leslie will lead her first Board of Governors meeting, which will be open to the public.
[Click here to view the full Convention schedule]
[More Convention Fast Facts]
There is no live stream from the Annual Meeting & Convention this year, so be sure to follow along on USEA’s website and Instagram for more, and of course I’ll be bringing you reports from on the ground. I’m curious: what do you want to know about? I’d love it if you would fill out the survey below (or here if the embedded survey doesn’t display in your browser), and I’ll do my best to do some digging for you!
