USEA Podcast

Your Guide to Show Jumping Time Penalties

In 2019, the FEI lessened the influence of show jumping by changing the time penalties to 0.4 penalties for every one second over the time rather than the one penalty for each second over as has been standard. The USEF then followed suit with a rule change making the new scoring standard for all USEA and FEI events. 

Join preeminent show jumping course designer, Marc Donovan, as well as top eventer and grand prix show jumper, Doug Payne, as they discuss the show jumping changes from their perspectives. 

Making the Sport Safer: The Charles Owen Technical Merit Award with Roy Burek and Cindy Deporter

This week’s USEA Podcast episode is all about the Charles Owen Technical Merit Award. Founded in 2009 by the Professional Horseman’s Council and Charles Owen, the Charles Owen Technical Merit Award is presented to one junior and one adult amateur at the Training level who displays safe and effective cross-country riding technique. Chairman of Charles Owen Roy Burek and Technical Merit Judge Cindy Deporter join us on the show to discuss the history and benefits of the program and the judging process of the award.

Roy Burek discusses the history of the Technical Merit Award and the partnership formed between the award and Charles Owen. Burek examines the benefits that have arisen as a result of the program, including an increased focus on proper coaching and training. Burek also provides information on the changes of safety protocols over the years and advancements in helmet technology to meet increased safety standards. 

Cindy Deporter, a USEF licensed FEI Eventing Judge, Technical Delegate, and Steward, was the judge of the Charles Owen Technical Merit award at the Pine Top Horse Trials in February 2019. She covers some of the salient points about the award, including changes to the award in recent years and the types of officials that can judge the award. Then, she discusses the different judging criteria and what judges are looking to see from riders.

About the Charles Owen Technical Merit Award

In 2009, the Professional Horseman’s Council and Charles Owen founded the Charles Owen Technical Merit Award to reward juniors and adult amateurs for demonstrating safe and appropriate cross-country riding technique and educate riders and trainers as to what constitutes safe cross-country riding.

The Charles Owen Technical Merit Award is presented at one event in each of the 10 USEA Areas at the Training level to one junior rider and one adult amateur rider who have not competed at the Intermediate level or above. Every eligible rider at the Training level is automatically judged during their cross-country round and receives a score sheet with written comments, providing valuable feedback on their cross-country riding technique. ICP Certified Level III and IV Instructors, USEF licensed eventing officials, and USET Senior Team riders are all qualified to judge the Award. Click here to learn more about the Charles Owen Technical Merit Award.

The USEA would like to thank Charles Owen for sponsoring the Technical Merit Award.

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.