USEA Podcast

FEH Symposium Round-Up with Robin Walker, Peter Gray, and Christian Schacht

On the last episode of the USEA Podcast, Maxime Livio and Marilyn Payne talked about the Instructors' Certification Program (ICP) and Young Event Horse (YEH) Symposia, part of the USEA Educational Symposium that took place in February at the Grand Oaks Resort in Weirsdale, Florida. This week, Robin Walker, Peter Gray, and Christian Schacht join us on the show to discuss the Future Event Horse (FEH) Symposium.

First, Robin Walker speaks about the future of the FEH Program, in particular the need for more and quality judges to support the number of FEH competitions that are now taking place across the country. 

Peter Gray joins us then to talk about what he looks for as a judge, both in-hand and over fences, remarking that the quality of the horses he sees come through the FEH Program has improved steadily every year. 

Finally, Christian Schacht comes on the show to discuss different aspects of conformation and how they will affect the horse as an athlete, from the hoof to the topline and everything in between.

Unpack the ICP and YEH Symposia with Marilyn Payne and Maxime Livio

This week on the USEA Podcast, Marilyn Payne and Maxime Livio come on the show to discuss the Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) and Young Event Horse (YEH) Program Symposia that took place last month at the Grand Oaks Resort in Weirsdale, Florida.

First, Payne joins us to talk about what took place during the YEH Symposium. This year, much of the focus for the judges in attendance was on the slight change to the jumping scoring system taking place in 2019. Now, each fence will be judges on a 0-5 point scale versus the 0-3 point scale in place last year. She also discussed the evolution of the Young Event Horse Program over the last 10 years and how the scoring system has been refined over time. She stressed that the YEH committee is always open to feedback and aims to keep constant communication with the members of the YEH community.

Next, Maxime shares his general impressions of the Educational Symposium as a whole, which he had not attended in the past. He discusses specific examples from his two days of teaching during the ICP Symposium – dressage on day one and show jumping on day two.

To check out coverage from the USEA Educational Symposium, click here.

The Thrill of the 'Chase

This week on the USEA Podcast, USEA Classic Series Task Force member Mary Fike comes on the show to talk about the history of the USEA Classic Series and the work the Task Force has done over the last year.

Fike expressed her excitement about the partnership with Hylofit, who came on board as the title sponsor of the USEA Classic Series in 2018. Their technology is a perfect fit for the Classic Series as the Hylofit heart rate monitoring system is designed to help target fitness for equine and human athletes alike. 

Next, Fike highlighted the Classic Series Guidelines that were published by the Task Force last year, designed to help competitors, organizers, and officials alike prepare for a long format Classic Series event. She also talked about the history behind the long format events and how the Classic Series came into being, ending with the benefits of competing in a Classic Series event for both horse and rider.

Marcia Kulak returns this week to follow Fike's segment with detailed information on how to prepare your horse for the physical challenges of a long format Classic Series event from your very first day of fitness work all the way up to the competition. 

Preparing for Your First Event

Whether it’s your first event of the season or your first event ever, this week’s USEA Podcast some top tips from professionals on how to make sure you are prepared for your next event. Andrea Davidson, Sharon White, and Marcia Kulak join us on the show this week to discuss a wide range of topics about preparing for an event – everything from making sure your truck and trailer are ready to go the week before all the way to the best way to cool your horse out after cross-country.

Updates from the Volunteer Committee with Irene Doo + Planning Your Season with Marcia Kulak

Volunteer Committee member Irene Doo joins us on the USEA Podcast this week to discuss the jump judge instructional videos that were released last fall, and Marcia Kulak is back with a segment on planning your upcoming season.

In 2017, the Volunteer Committee was awarded an educational grant from the USEA to produce training videos for jump judge volunteers. The videos were released in the fall of 2018 and are available for free through the USEA website. 

Doo also outlines some of the goals the Volunteer Committee will be working on during the coming year. The Volunteer Committee was awarded funds to continue to produce instructional videos for other volunteer positions. The budget will allow for 2-3 new videos a year, and the Committee is in the process of selecting which positions to create videos for this year - stewards and bit check are high on the list. The Volunteer Committee is also working on producing a Volunteer Coordinator Guide with instructions and resources for volunteer coordinators. Finally, the Volunteer Committee hopes to continue to move forward with plans for a Volunteer Rewards Program.

In the last edition of the USEA Podcast, Marcia Kulak discussed putting together your team - everyone from your trainer, vet, and farrier on down to your horse's bodyworker and saddle fitter - to set yourself and your horse up for success for the upcoming season. In this week's episode, Kulak delves into the importance of mental and physical preparations and how to incorporate those preparations into your schedule for the upcoming season. She stresses the importance of setting realistic, attainable goals for your season. 

Safety First with Rusty Lowe + Better Management for Better Results with Marcia Kulak

This week, on the first episode of the USEA Podcast in 2019, we are joined by retired Fire and EMS Captain Rusty Lowe, who volunteers his time at many events as Safety Coordinator, and Marcia Kulak, an upper-level event rider with over 25 years of international competitive experience.

While there have been many advancements in the safety technology of equipment such as helmets and protective vests and safety protocols for competitions are stronger than ever, are you prepared for an emergency at home? Lowe's focus is on educating people about the different types of safety equipment and training are available so that they are able to provide potentially life-saving aid in the event of an emergency outside of a competition setting. Lowe covers topics including the different types of training that are available, the first steps you can take towards emergency preparedness, and putting together your own plan in case of emergencies.

The start of the new year is a great time to set goals and make plans for the coming year, and that's exactly what Kulak covers in this first segment of her educational series. Sitting down and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the past year is an excellent way to carve out goals for the coming year, and Kulak's first piece of advice for accomplishing those goals is to assemble your team - everyone from your trainer, vet, and farrier to your saddle fitter and equine dentist plays a crucial role in the success of you and your horse. Putting a good team together and establishing strong lines of communication is essential for creating comprehensive ways to help your horse be as happy and healthy as possible, and Kulak shares her wisdom on the different ways to do this.

Looking Back and Looking Forward: Carol Kozlowski and Max Corcoran

On the final USEA Podcast of 2018, USEA President Carol Kozlowski reflects on the past two years of her presidency and what she hopes to accomplish during her third and final year as President in 2019. Then, USEA President Elect Max Corcoran, who will take over from Kozlowski in 2020, talks about her background and her vision for the future of the USEA.

2019 Grant Recipients + 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees

At the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention held in New Orleans, Louisiana last weekend, the USEA Foundation awarded the 2019 grants at the 2018 Year End Awards Ceremony, including the $45,000 Wilton Fair Grant, the $10,000 Rebecca Broussard National Developing Rider Grant, and the $50,000 Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant. This week on the USEA Podcast, we checked in with the grant winners about their plans for the grants. This year, Savannah Fulton received the $45,000 Wilton Fair Grant, Andrea Baxter received the "Little Becky" $10,000 Rebecca Broussard National Developing Rider Grant, and Frankie Thieriot Stutes $50,000 received the "Big Becky" Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant.

Then, stay tuned to hear from the new members of the 2018 USEA's Eventing Hall of Fame who were inducted at the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention Hall of Fame Gala on Saturday night. The 7th USEA's Eventing Hall of Fame honored Karen O'Connor, Dr. A. Martin "Marty" Simensen, Out and About, Howard Simpson, Nina and Tim Gardner, and Captain Mark Phillips. The USEA will also be releasing videos from the induction ceremony on U.S. Eventing TV.

Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Katherine Coleman: Fall 2018 Three-Star Champions

Frankie Thieriot Stutes and The Chatwin Group’s Chatwin (Contendro I x Oktav), a 10-year-old German Warmblood gelding, took home The Dutta Corp./USEF CCI3* Eventing National Championship title in the Fair Hill International CCI3* in mid-October on their dressage score of 27.3. On this week's USEA Podcast, Thieriot Stutes talks about what it took to travel across the country to compete at Fair Hill, what Chatwin is like in the barn, and hints at their plans for the 2019 season.

Katherine Coleman is originally from New Orleans but has been living and riding abroad in England for the last seven years. This is the second year that Coleman has wintered in Florida, and she kicked off the winter season by winning the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event’s inaugural CCI3* division earlier this month aboard Monte Classico (Monte Bellini x W-Sally), her own 9-year-old German Sport Horse gelding, on a final score of 39.5. Coleman discusses how her partnership with “Monte” has progressed during their three years together, her plans for the winter season with Monte and the rest of her string, and what she's looking towards for 2019.

Unpack the New FEI Star System + Preview the 2018 USEA Convention

CEO Rob Burk comes on this episode of the USEA Podcast first to discuss the changes to the FEI star system, which will change from a four-star system to a five-star system. There are several reasons behind this change, including risk management, inclusion in the Olympics, and making it possible for more countries to participate. Burk describes the difference between the new CCI-L and CCI-S designations, the difference between the old long format and the new short and long formats, and more. For more detailed information about the changes to the FEI star system, click here.

Next, Senior Director of Membership Services and Convention Planner Jennifer Hardwick joins us to give us a preview of what’s in store for the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention featuring the USEA’s 7^th Eventing Hall of Fame at the Sheraton New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana. Hardwick shares some of the exciting events that attendees have to look forward to, including the Annual Meeting of Members with Keynote Speaker Erik Duvander and the USEA’s Eventing Hall of Fame Gala. If you haven’t registered yet, Hardwick shares all the information you need to get your tickets! Click here for more information.