| USEA Annual Convention Recap |
by Beth Stoker, Area IV Chair
The main focus of this year's annual meeting was the state of the economy and how it has, and might continue to, affect our sport. In 2008 entries were down nation wide. This year USEA reported that membership was starting out with lower numbers than last year at this point in time. USEA has been looking to see what expenses they have that might be cut in order to "tighten the belt" since this year's economical outlook is not looking a lot better. The USEA announced two items that would be cut this year: printing of the rules for Eventing and the last two omnibuses of the year. One other item they might consider cutting later in the year would be one edition of the Eventing News magazine.
It was pointed out during the meeting that the USEF rules for eventing is available on line at http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2009/12-EV.pdf. General rules can be found at http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2009/03-general%20rules.pdf. At the current time you can request a paper copy of the USEF rulebook or you can have it sent to you on a flash drive that updates every time you plug it in. If not a member, you can print the rules out that you might need.
It was also noted that the omnibus pages and all applicable information (ie. entry forms, stabling forms, etc.) can be found on the USEA website. The USEA website gets more than 90,000 hits a year just on the omnibus. Therefore they believed that it would be an easy transition to go paperless at this time since many people already make use of the electronic form of the omnibus.
Some of the items USEA is looking at doing to try and keep people up to date would be to send out emails to members reminding them of upcoming opening dates and/or putting together an abbreviated general calendar that would come out in the Eventing magazine.
The USEA will also initiate a fundraising drive and will be sending letters to 250 people asking for a $250/year donation for a 5 year time period. These funds would be used to help fund such programs as the instructor certification program (ICP), equine research projects (such as the GPS time/speed study, vet study of the effects of eventing on event horses, etc.), and other programs that will help us better understand safety issues in eventing.
Lucinda Green was the keynote speaker during the annual meeting. She discussed some of her ideas as to why eventing was facing the problems it is currently facing. Some of her thoughts created a lot of discussion at the end of the day. Her presentation can be found out on the USEA website at: www.useventing.com.
Many potential rule changes were discussed that will affect riders and organizers, so please be sure to read over the rulebook before your competitions. Also it was noted that it is time for new dressage tests to come out again. They are currently being re-written, so we will all soon be riding new tests.
USEA also announced that next year is the organization's 50th Anniversary. They are looking for creative ways in which to honor/celebrate this mile marker. Next year's annual meeting will be held in Reston, VA. |
| USEA Convention: Organizers Meeting |
Organizers:
All of the above information was discussed during the organizers meeting as well as the a few more items. The issue of volunteers was brought up and a few interesting ideas as to where to find volunteers were mentioned. Some high schools require students to do volunteer work as well as Junior ROTC programs, Girl Scout and Boy Scout programs. It was noted that starter fees have increased this year and many organizers brought up the issue of increasing costs of officials. It was suggested that organizer might try to negotiate with officials this year and making sure that you discussed their cancellation policy just in case it was necessary in the upcoming year. A few events did end up canceling, nationally, due to not sufficient entries.
The writing of new dressage tests was discussed. Apparently some of the new tests were written for a large arena but were supposed to be ridden in a small arena. Discussion then ensued as to whether organizers could accommodate the setting up of large arenas. It was noted that certain facilities were limited in flat surfaces and could not accommodate a test with a large arena. Discussion then ensued as to whether or not it would be possible to have tests written that would allow some events to offer a large arena and other tests that were written for those that could only accommodate small arenas.
|
| USEA Convention: Adult Riders Meeting |
|
The Adult Rider meeting mainly focused on discussion of The Chronicle of the Horse Adult Team Challenge. There will be some changes this year in who all can compete in the challenge. In the past the "Challenge" has only been offered to Novice through Preliminary adult riders. In 2009 The Chronicle will offer beginner novice adult riders the chance to compete in the challenge. The program was also looking at ways it could get more interest in the Challenge so that more teams compete in it. If you have any ideas, please forward them your Adult Rider Coordinator, Kathy Kearns at adultriders@usea4.org.
It was also discussed during the meeting that since payments for the Adult Rider program are going through the USEA and membership dues can be paid for on their website, adult riders must be, at minimum, a subscribing member of the USEA.
|
| USEA Convention: Young Riders Meeting |
Young Riders:
The USEF will need to go to the FEI this year in order to get approval for Young Riders to qualify with two CIC's rather than one CCI. We will let you know as soon as we find out whether or not USEF gained approval from the FEI.
In terms of qualifying for NAJYRC riders will qualify if they:
1) Complete 1 CCI with only 20 cross-country penalties, or if FEI gives the USEF a special dispensation,
2) Complete 2 CICs one of which has to have a clean cross-country (new this year).
The qualification period is the current year and the preceding year in combination, thus said, it is competitions attended in 2008 and in the months leading up to NAJYRC in 2009.
We will notify young riders of the date and location of the 2009 NAJYRC when we are notified.
The Young Rider National Team Championship will be held again in 2009 at Mid-South. In order to continue running the National Team Championship does need the participation of Young Riders, especially at the * level. Please keep in mind that during Lucinda Green's presentation, she begged the U.S. to keep the long format going as she believes it to be an invaluable tool in teaching horse and rider how to ride across country at speed and makes the next step up safer for horse and rider.
We will continue to keep young riders up to date with information when we get it.
|
| Becky Bowen Awarded USEA Governors' Cup |
|
 Becky Bowen was presented the USEA Governors' Cup at the 2008 USEA Annual Convention in New Orleans, LA in December. The USEA Governors' Cups are presented annually to the volunteers who form the backbone of eventing. These are individuals who labor tirelessly behind the scenes at the many jobs associated with the running of the sport.
Becky is a consummate volunteer who is never too busy to lend a helping hand. She is a familiar face at many Area IV events - jump judging, scribing, ring stewarding, running errands - and at both Maui Jim and the American Eventing Championships, she organizes the awards in addition to jump judging and providing housing for many officials. She is on the Board of the Illinois Dressage and Combined
Training Association, and in her spare time, holds down a "real" job and rides her three year old homebred filly.
|
| Rick Dunkerton Named as Top Ten Secretary |
| Rick Dunkerton, founder of EventEntries.com, has been named one of the USEF Top Ten Secretaries of the Year 2008 by the USEF Sports Data Department. Secretaries from competitions encompassing all disciplines were evaluated for this honor.
Rick Dunkerton serves as secretary for the Maui Jim Horse Trials, American Eventing Championships and many other USEA Recognized Horse Trials within Area IV and throughout the United States.
|
| Nominate Area IV Volunteer of the Year |
| The Area IV Council is seeking nominees for the 2008 Area IV Volunteer of the Year Award.
It's easy to nominate and is a great way to say "Thanks" to that diligent organizer, smiling starter or jump crew that makes your life as an eventer just that much easier.
|
| 2008 Area IV Leaderboard |
In 2008, Area IV will use the same point system as USEA. Points reflected on USEA leaderboard will be same as Area IV Leaderboard points.
To be eligible for Horse of the Year Awards, the owner of the horse must be a USEA member and resident of Area IV.
To be eligible for Rider of the Year Awards, the rider must be a USEA member and resident of Area IV.
Area IV has not yet received 2008 Point Standings from the USEA. An announcement will be made once points are received from the USEA and a deadline for inquiries will be set at that time.
|
| USEA Announces Eventing Medal Program |
The USEA announced at the Annual Meeting and Convention last weekend an exciting new medal program, which will provide our members with recognition through a goal oriented program within the various levels of eventing.
There are several goals of this new program, the most important being that as we strive to make eventing safer by changing the dominant culture from focusing on moving up the levels to focusing on mastering the skills demanded by each level. Also, we would like to provide a goal to our members who, for various reasons, do not consider moving up the levels a goal. This new program will also allow the horse to achieve a medal separately from the rider, which provides owners an additional sales tool. Read More |
| Mary Grantham-Cook Clinic: Jan. 3-4 |
|
 Mary Grantham-Cook is a graduate "A" level pony clubber who has competed successfully at the highest levels of eventing. A few of those elite
competitions include the Foxhall Cup, Fair Hill International, and The Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. Mary was also named to the USET Developing Rider List four times and has worked with top professionals David O'Connor, Kim Severson, James Wofford, and Buck Davidson.
Mary uses a positive coaching style and has the ability to communicate effectively with both horse and rider. All levels of horse and ridercombinations will be accepted for this clinic. Whether you are interested in Eventing, Hunter/Jumpers, Dressage or just want to become a more educated rider over fences come out and take advantage of this wonderful opportunityand ride with Mary!
Both days of the clinic will be held at the beautiful Taura Farms in Mt. Vernon. There is a large outdoor grass jumping (enclosed) arena as well as a large indoor with mirrors and soft, balanced footing. Gymnastic/grid work will be stressed the first day with stadium course exercises finishing out Sunday. Weather permitting we will jump outside but the indoor will also be available in case of inclement weather. Clinic Details/Enrollment Form |
| Mid-America Combined Training Association Horse of the Year |
 The Mid-America Combined Training Association would like to congratulate the 2008 MACTA Horses of the Year.
Overall Champion: Parker ridden by Kati Reed
Overall Reserve: Romincka ridden by Clare Krska
Preliminary Champion: Parker ridden by Kati Reed
Preliminary Reserve: Best Etiquette ridden by Camie Stockhausen
Training Champion: Freeman's Folly ridden by Lacey Elmer
Training Reserve: Drink 'Em Pretty ridden by Alice Dobbs
Novice Champion: Flashpoint ridden by Cynthia Wiseman
Novice Reserve: Patina ridden by Katherine Krska
BN Champion: Romincka ridden by Clare Krska
BN Reserve: Scully ridden by Michaela Holcomb
Awards will be presented at the MACTA Annual Meeting which will be held in conjunction with the Area IV Meeting in Kansas City, MO in February.
|
|
