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06/24/09

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The USEA has recently started Facebook pages dedicated to our new online magazine, Eventing USA 2.0, and our newly opened USEA Web Store. Become a fan and tell us what articles you'd like to see in the future issues of the magazines or tell us what types of USEA logowear you think we should offer. These free online communities are designed to be interactive and we like listen to and contribute to every suggestion, discussion, and comment to make sure your voices are heard.

Go to the Eventing USA 2.0 Facebook Fan Page and share your thoughts and ideas. Become a fan on the USEA Web Store Facebook Fan Page and tell us what kind of products you want to see. Plus, keep up-to-date with special USEA Web Store discounts and promotions. More Fan Pages are in the works so you'll have a place to meet new friends and tell us about the things you'd like to see!

You can also follow the USEA on Twitter. We "Tweet" daily so be sure to check back often and set up your mobile devices to receive updates. In addition to following all the important USEA news, issues, and promotions, we'll also be posting up-to-the-minute event coverage for many events this year. Follow us here.

USEA Launches Suggestion Box

Updated: 2009-02-25

We're all ears! The USEA has created a Suggestion Box where you can drop your comments and suggestions about topics, issues, and concerns that matter most to you.

You can send your input to suggestions@useventing.com and we'll make sure that it gets to the appropriate department or committee. You can also visit the Suggestion Box launch page or go to "Shortcuts" and click on "Suggestion Box."

Also, be sure to check out the USEA Committees List (PDF 216K) where you can send your concerns to committee chairs or members if you already know who might be able to help you best.

You can also email your questions or comments directly to USEA Staff Members regarding specific departments and programs.

All suggestions sent to suggestions@useventing.com remain anonymous unless the sender requests a response. Rest assured that each submission will be read and considered, and exceptional comments or ideas will be printed in upcoming issues of Eventing USA to inspire further discussion and progress in the sport of eventing.

Please keep comments constructive and tasteful. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sally Buffington

Book Review: Lucinda Dyer's Back To Work

by Mark Patterson, Area V Liason

Back to Work: How to Rehabilitate or Recondition Your Horse by Lucinda Dyer is a must have for every competitive rider's library. This comprehensive work begins with general guidelines and advice on how to plan your horse's recovery from the moment you discover the injury or illness and call the veterinarian.

The book then features 3 sections devoted to specific, common injuries and ailments suffered by performance horses that can be catastrophic - colic surgery, tendon and ligament injuries and laminitis. Each section begins with expert advice written by veterinarians and giving you background information on each of the subjects, treatment options and their advice for rehabilitation, including commonly asked questions and answers. Each section then continues with case studies by riders like ourselves who have had these calamities happen to their horses and have successfully overcome them to return to competition. They share their experiences with their horses' injuries, treatment and the routines that were successful in bringing their mounts back to peak performance and condition. These riders come from all corners of the country and cover a wide spectrum of competitive equine sports including eventing, dressage, endurance, hunters and equitation. They also cover a variety of board situations from top show stables to home board. Area V's own Lindy Archambault and her horse Nick, as well as Central Texas dressage rider Megan Georges and Quimero are featured in the case studies.

The excellent advice does not end with our horses though. Section 6 continues with the experiences of 6 riders recovering from their own injuries and illnesses such as ovarian cancer, a broken hip, broken tibia and fibula and others. Their courage and determination to overcome these infirmities and return to ride successfully and competitively are truly an inspiration to any rider who has been injured and wants to get back to the sport they love so much.

You can use the experts' advice and the first hand experiences of those who have been there and overcome to help guide you through your horse's or your own injury to return to full competitive condition.

Jimmy Wofford 101

My introduction to Mr. Jimmy Wofford began early on a Saturday morning at his pre-clinic briefing. Here, Jimmy explained his teaching techniques and what he hoped everyone would achieve during their lessons that day. He encouraged questions from the students and auditors, but questions were slow coming. I, of course, had something to ask. I don't remember exactly what it was I asked Jimmy, but I do remember his response was "You obviously haven't read my book - Chapter 12." All I could do was smile and nod and respond, "You're right, I should do that!".

The first group that morning started off well and set the stage for the following lessons. Jimmy went through the usual questioning of what you had done, what your horse has done, and what you needed the most work on. He also assessed our positions while standing for correct knee angle and foot position in the stirrup. Jimmy explained that the ideal position for a rider at the preliminary level and above was one that put their knee at a ninety-degree angle while sitting. For the lower levels, slightly less, but the angle helped the rider's knee absorb the shock of taller fences and higher speeds (I'll talk more about speed in a second). Jimmy also said that even though most of us have had years and years of instructors griping at us about our foot placement in the stirrup, that we should not 'force' our feet into an uncomfortable position. As long as you were symmetrical and didn't have one foot stuck out at a crazy angle while the other was parallel to the horse's side, they were just fine.

As the lessons got underway, it became obvious that he was waiting for us to tell him what he was looking for. The first exercise, a simple two foot tall cross rail on a circular pattern, seemed a bit inappropriate for these upper-level horses and riders. Jimmy asked us to go one at a time, however, and to pay close attention to our peers as they tackled the exercise. At first, the small cross rail jumped quite erratically, and fast, as many of these horses were fit for preliminary or higher competition and the weather was COLD!! But there was a little twist. Jimmy asked each rider to then trot to the vertical and yell out which front foot of the horse left the ground last. Sound easy? Try again. Each of us ran about 50/50 on our likely guessing. Jimmy explained to us that this was quite common of American riders, because we simply leave the tack too soon. We are so anxious to get over that tiny fence that we are actually jumping ahead. So, we each made a considerable effort to almost be late over the fence, and guess what? Our percentages went way up!

The rest of the lesson was very focused on rhythm and regularity. As it is now becoming evident, the only way to jump a clean round on a fit event horse is to keep it regular and uncomplicated for them. The best exercise was when he asked us to make our horses jump badly. So, we all proceed to gallop down to the fence on a long rein, flopping all over the place, and we each had a picture perfect jump. Hmmm… Obviously this only proved Jimmy's point more, that the more we interfere with the horse's stride and rhythm, the worse the fence becomes. So, our goal for the lesson was to navigate off striding lines, bending lines and gymnastics, all the while attempting to stay out of the way. Guess what, I had one of the best stadium rides I've ever had on my horse!

Sunday, the weather cleared up and we were lucky enough to get to ride at Indian Creek. Before each group, Jimmy went over the necessity of a shorter stirrup and a knotted rein. The stirrup length went up to accommodate a faster pace. This helped the knee absorb the shock, and allowed the rider to minimize body movement on the approach to the fence. The knotted rein, which some people were convinced could not be tied in their rubber reins, was for retrieving your reins after dropping them. For those who thought they couldn't tie a knot in their reins, Jimmy proved them wrong. They were the ones walking around asking for a screwdriver to pry out the knot after their lesson!

On cross-country, Jimmy again wanted us to try to maintain a fairly even pace. Obviously you can't come galloping down to a bank complex at five hundred meters a minute, but for the larger "gallopy" type tables, he had us maintain the pace and just balance a few strides out. A large portion of the cross-country lessons was also spent on pacing and correct galloping position. I learned that most of us are too fast when we think we're doing 400 mpm, and too slow when we think we're doing 520 mpm. Also, a big problem of mine since I am so tall was minimizing my upper body movement when adjusting paces. He helped me correct my habit of "sitting back" before the fence, to a new correct method of "sitting down" before the fence. That may sound the same, but it is very different. I tended to come galloping down to a fence, sit down and back, making my back more vertical than what is needed for cross country. Jimmy explained that so much movement and change in my position was actually affecting my horse's rhythm to the fence. Makes sense now, but was not obvious until he pointed it out.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my lesson with Jimmy Wofford. I had heard so many good things about him from fellow riders, and he lived up to every one in my mind. I highly recommend riding with him if you get the chance. If not, at least audit, you will learn just as much.

Karen Shull

Points, points and more points…

7/26/05 - by Ronda Dillard

Are you familiar with the Leaderboards published on the USEA web page? Tallied for all levels, this gives you the chance to see how you and your horse match up over a competition year with others in your age category and at your level. I stopped to check how my Area's riders were doing nationally and to see if their national point totals agreed with what I had tallied. Unfortunately, several rider’s and horse’s points were not correct at Training level and below. In researching the reasons for the differences, I found that riders were making several mistakes that hurt their point tallies (some to the point of losing out on first place!) In an effort to help you achieve the best national leaderboard placing possible, I want to make the following requests:

1. Keep your membership current
One rider let her membership lapse the day before a competition where she came in third. Her renewal was processed on Monday, and she lost out on those 4 points. If you look at the current totals, those four points can make a real difference in your placing.

2. Compete your horse under its registered name.
Several riders added to their horse’s names. Others dropped the roman numerals. (Did you know that there are currently 11 horses named “Bentley” in the database?) Others used the horse’s barn name instead of the registered name. I’m sorry, but I don’t know that Sterling Silver” is actually registered as Sterling XII” and has a barn name of Mouse”. There is a form available for you to change your horse’s registered name, if that is what you want to do.

3. Verify that your information with the USEA is correct.
Some riders have omitted some of their personal information. Without a birthdate, riders cannot be classified for ranking. To check your information, go to the Member Log-On section, log in, choose View/Update your profile”, and scroll down to Member Detail. You have the capability to edit your information by clicking the edit” button.

4. Check your points frequently
Start by checking the horse profile of each horse that you ride. It can be found under Membership/Horse Registration/Search our database here”, then entering either your horse’s registration number or registered name. Once you locate your horse, click on Horse Profile”. All show results recorded for that horse will appear, along with the number of USEA points awarded. The point scale is located at http://www.useventing.com/competitions/points.htmVerify that the points and placings are correct. Next, check the leaderboard for your level. If you have sufficient points to be listed, make certain that you are listed. Do remember that recording of placings and points will lag behind the actual competition. They will not be posted on the Monday following your great weekend. If your results are incorrect or you feel that your point total should be reflected on the leaderboard page, contact the USEA office and inquire.

5. Resolve questions early

As the fall season winds down to the end, the office staff will be busy finalizing the standings for the annual convention and awards banquet. No one wants to miss out on an award, but time will be tight. It is better to deal with questions as soon as the problem is found.

Beginner Novice riders:
For those at the Beginner Novice level, rider and horse membership are not required. If you plan to only compete once, then perhaps joining USEA and registering your horse are not on your list of things to do. If you plan on entering more than one competition this year, then I have two additional suggestions:

6. Register your horse

7. Join USEA

Several Area riders have been very successful at the Beginner Novice level this year, but did not join USEA or register their horses until they had competed in (and won!) one or two competitions. Points only count for members riding registered horses, so those riders lose out on those points.Winning a Top Ten award at a level is special. It is a reflection on a successful season. Keep on top of the rules and you could be the one receiving the award at the next USEA Convention and Awards Banquet!

News Briefs

ICE - In Case of Emergency

11/16/05

Add this information to your cell phone to help police/paramedics in case of emergency.

They suggested adding at least 2 names to your cell phone:

ICE (person's name) (phone number)
ICE HORSE (person's name) (phone number)

This could help the police/paramedics know who to contact to help you and your horse should something happen. (more info at the Washington Post)

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