 Archived News
This area will keep news from the home page in an archive format.
USEF/USEA Safety Summit
posted 6/18/08
Lexington, KY − The USEF/USEA Safety Summit took place on June 7-8, 2008 in
downtown Lexington, KY. More than 250 people from all corners of the country and
all levels of the sport of Eventing showed up to listen, voice their concerns
and work with fellow members of the Eventing community to find solutions to the
safety issues facing the sport.
Plantation Field Introduces International Competition
posted 6/17/08
Fair Hill Events, Inc.
(501(c)3) is pleased to announce the inaugural Plantation Field
International CIC***, to be held September 19-21 2008 in Unionville,
Pennsylvania. Already established as a popular venue for horse trials at
all levels, this is the first time that Plantation Field will offer an
internationally recognized competition.
Site updates
posted June 14, 2008
We're moving servers this weekend so you may see some fluctuation or errors.
Please be patient and let us know if you have any issues. If you added any
listings or classifieds from June 11 to June 14 you may have to add them again,
as access to the old site is no longer available for me to copy the ads. Sorry
for any inconvenience. Thank you!
Lexington Safety Summit…Notes
by Duncan MacRae, Area II Chairman
posted June 9, 2008
*****Important Disclaimer*****
The synopsis that follows is my own paraphrase
of what was discussed at the summit. It is by no means comprehensive. What I
report here is likely colored by my own personal bias and experience, despite my
best efforts to report the facts and remain objective. (Except for the long
format *, which I am shamelessly in favor of!!!!!)
Some introductory discussion
David O’Connor. Opening remarks. 2% of rider falls result in injury. Few of
those are serious.
50% of horse falls result in serious rider/horse injury. Plainly, reducing
horse falls will go a long way to reducing catastrophic injury for both horses
and riders.
The focus of the summit should be on how to reduce horse falls.
Kevin Baumgardner: Praised Jimmy Wofford and Danny Warrington’s editorial
pieces.
Expressed a need for us all to unite and become “evangelists” for safety.
Frangible Pins
Only 4% of jumps are built with frangible pins. Frangible fences are only
useful to the horse and rider who are already in deep trouble! When the question
was put to the group...
Free Coursewalks by Emily Beshear
posted: June 5, 2008
In response to the recent conversations circulating throughout
the eventing world regarding safety, responsibility and proper
preparation for the cross country phase, Emily Beshear, in
partnership with two of her sponsors:
CFC
Farm and Home Center and
Foxden Equine,
decided to offer a series of free course walks throughout the 2008
season. These course walks will be open to all- riders, parents and
the general public. Riders, please feel free to join Emily as a
supplement to your regular coach's walks, or because you find
yourself competing alone for a weekend. Parents and friends... join
her to learn how competitors break down the complexities of a course
and turn it into a fun and exciting outing with their horses!
The free Course Walks will focus on safe, effective and efficient approaches
to fences. In between fences participants will be encouraged to talk to Emily
about their warm up strategies, preparation for the competition, stud choices,
general tack questions, how to best help the horses recover after the course,
etc.
Emily says, "These course walks are but a first step in making myself open
and accessible to my fellow competitors." Please meet Emily at the start box at
the following competitions:
- Surefire HT 6/28-29
- Maryland HT @ Loch Moy 7/19-20
- Loudoun Hunt PC HT 8/30-31
- Middleburg HT 9/27-28
- Virginia HT 11/1-2
Please e-mail ahead of time if you would like to walk to request your level,
or look out at the competition for the specific courses and times. You can
e-mail Emily directly at
[email protected]. Also visit
www.bricklandeventing.com for more information on clinics and training.
Area Points Program Update
posted June 27, 2008
...Lots of good results keep coming in! My hat's off to all of you who
endured the early heat of both Rubicon and Lumber River! And a huge cheer to all
the volunteers at both of those events. I have read nothing but good reports
about how helpful and cheerful they were in that horrible heat. That's what
eventing is all about -- pulling together to get the horse trial put on...
One last reminder. As of July 1st, there is a late fee of $25.00 per
horse/rider combination being registered in the program.
Website Info
posted: May 18, 2008
You may have received notice that the USEA is rolling out a new
website in the next few weeks. Our site is hosted with USEA so it's
possible we may see some brief interruptions in service while things
are changed over. Please be patient during any transition, and let
us know if you experience any difficulties. Thank you!
Sad News
posted: May 11, 2008
I am sad to report that yesterday, at The Jersey Fresh Three Day,
David O’Connor’s horse, Tigger Too died at fence #28 on the CCI***
course. Tigger was being ridden by Lauren Kieffer, who was not
seriously hurt in the fall. Tigger Too was sent to the University Of
Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center for necropsy. According to an
article in this morning’s Newark Star Ledger, the reported
cause of death was a pulmonary hemorrhage that resulted in a
ruptured aorta.
I know that I speak for all of Area II when I extend our condolences to the
O’Connor and Kieffer families on the loss of this fabulous horse.
Points Update May 10, 2008
posted: May 8, 2008
The USEA caught up this week and posted lots of results, so I'm caught up now
to this weekend. Be sure to double check the standings and let me know if I have
missed something!
Lisa Rice, Kay Brady, and Laura Roberts have satisfied their volunteer
requirements this week, all by fence judging at Difficult Run. I'm sure Steve
Symansky and everyone at Difficult Run appreciates your efforts!
Some notable finishes...
Event Evaluations are a Piece of Cake
posted: May 8, 2008
Now Available: Electronic Event
Evaluation Submission! We all know the event evaluations are
important, but many don't want to take the time to find the form,
fill it out, and then have to <gasp> put on a stamp and walk to the
mailbox! So we have set up an online event evaluation form. It
mimics the printed form, but will be submitted electronically to the
Area II Chair.
The form is available under the "Competitions" link on the left.
You do not have to fill in your name or email address, but the event
name and date are required for obvious reasons. Complete yours
today--it's a piece of cake!
Points Update, May 2008
posted: May 4, 2008
As May begins, the eventing season is now in full swing both north and south
in the Area. Registrations keep coming in...Looks like the Adult Amateurs are
kicking some butt out there. Some notable placings this month include...
Wine Tasting & Silent Auction
posted: May 3, 2008
Wed. June 11, 2008 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Flagship Farm and the Wine Cellar
of Southern Pines are putting on a wine tasting to benefit the Young Rider
Program. This catered event features great food, great wine, door prizes, and
wonderful auction items. Tickets are $25 each or $40 per couple. Please contact
Audrey Wiggins for ticket information at 910-315-3032 or email
Stallion Auction benefits Young Riders
posted: April 23, 2008
The Area II Stallion Auction has ended, and we would like to thank everyone
for their bids, and thank the stallion owners for their generous donations.
Because of the generosity of these people, almost $5,000 was raised for YRs!.
We will keep the stallion listings live on the stallion page to promote these
fine Area 2 Eventing Stallions, and encourage you to consider them for your
breeding program."
North American Thoroughbred Society Launches Survey
posted: April 21, 2008
In a move to gather more information about how Thoroughbreds are being used
outside of racing, the North American Thoroughbred Society (NATBS), launched a
short survey designed to reach out to Thoroughbred owners and elicit feedback.
The data will help NATBS tailor programs to an expanded range of members’
interests.
The three-minute survey poses seven questions with a range of possible
answers that can be simply checked off, with flexibility to add more information
if desired. Answers are confidential and the information is not shared with any
outside individuals or organizations. Surveys may be requested by sending an
email to . Survey
results will be posted at
www.hellohorse.com later this summer.
Clinic with David & Lauren O'Brien, Charlottesville, VA
posted: April 16, 2008
The Area II Young Rider program would like to extend invitations for our May
17-18 training session with David and Lauren O'Brien to anyone in the area
schooling novice level or above. The clinic will be held at River Lawn Farm near
Charlottesville, VA. This facility is a fantastic site with a cross country
course built by Eric Bull, a spacious show jumping area and a covered dressage
arena. The cost of the clinic is $250 which includes stabling, lunch on both
Saturday and Sunday and dinner on Saturday evening. The more entries we receive,
the more money the Young Rider program will raise on our quest to the NAJYRC
in Parker, CO this summer. All the information and entry forms can be found in
the Young Rider section of the site. If
you have any questions, please email or call Gwen at [email protected] or
910-315-6179.
Website news
posted: April 12, 2008
Our Area 2 site has gone through many changes over the past few months. Thank
you all for your patience in the transition. There have been some suggestions by
members, which have resulted in:
- Reformatting the free
Classifieds to a tabular format (more like the old listings).
- Adding a link to USEA results, so you can
quickly get the links to official results for Area 2 events (as they are
posted by USEA).
Many people have added their events to our free
calendar of events. Take a look sometime, it's loaded with clinics, events,
and schooling opportunities! USEA is working on a feed that will populate our
calendar with all the Area 2 recognized events.
Future plans include offering advertising, creating a stallion roster of Area
2 stallions, and adding a photo gallery.
Keep your positive feedback and suggestions coming. This site is a service to
the Area 2 eventing community, so help us make it best for YOU!
Area Points Updated
posted: April 6, 2008
The first Volunteer Confirmation Forms have been received! Area II Points
Program and Southern Pines Horse Trials would like to thank Michele Lobsinger
and Kaily Meeks for coming out and helping, by fence judging and decorating the
cross country course. Good jobs, Michele and Kaily! Your points are now
"confirmed"!
Wendy Bebie has leaped to the top of the board by winning her Advanced
division at Southern Pines II aboard her long time partner, Phoenix.
Looks like another good season started there!
Band together in support of Darren!
posted: April 16, 2008
Many of Darren Chiacchia’s sponsors have come together in a display of
continuing support by organizing an armband/wristband fundraiser for the Rolex
Kentucky 3-Day Event, April 23-26. Look for your favorite riders to be
competing, wearing their armbands in a display of solidarity. Join us in showing
your support – armbands and wristbands will be available at Rolex from
participating sponsors and retailers. The suggested donation for armbands is
$100 and wristbands will be available for a free-will donation. All proceeds
will go directly to Darren’s fund at the Equestrian Aid Foundation.
(submitted by Celine McElvery, Fundraiser Organizer, Charles Owen
Inc. 603.821.1030)
Young Rider Training Clinic Info.
posted: March, 2008
Information for Hotels, as well as directions, to the Young Rider Training
Clinics is available.
Volunteers and Volunteer Opportunities in Area 2
posted: March, 2008
We all know this sport couldn't exist without volunteers! Volunteers
enjoy fun, camaraderie, goodies, and the undying thanks of competitors,
officials, and organizers.
New requirements for the Area 2 Awards Program also include submitting
volunteer hours to qualify.
A suggestion was made by an Area 2 Member to have a section on the
website whereby volunteers can hook up with different events to help out,
and events can find potential volunteers.
New Classifieds and Resource Section
posted: March, 2008
We are in the process of streamlining our ads and resource listings. As of
today (March 19, 2008) the new ads are the default. You can still get to the old
ads, but not for much longer!
PLEASE UPDATE YOUR ADS AND LISTINGS!
If you browse the listings and find your facility or ad, you can request that
your userid be assigned to that ad, then you can retain ownership of the listing
and edit and add or delete your own listings as needed. You'll need to first
create a login,
then email the webmaster to have your login
assigned to a particular listing.
Newsletter Poll
posted: February, 2008
The Optimum Times Area II newsletter is produced quarterly, and is
full of information you can use as an eventer in Area II. Currently it is
mailed, via the US Postal service, to current USEA members in our area....Please
give serious consideration to the possibility of electronic distribution of the
newsletter. Cast your vote through our simple poll.
It’s never too early to plan for the Area 2 Annual Meeting
posted: January, 2008, 2008
When: Saturday, November 22, 2008
Where: We will be in a new location,
The Hilton Garden Inn in Kennett Square, Pa.
Rooms have been reserved for Friday and Saturday night and the
group rate is $115 per night. The block of rooms at this price will
only be available until October 21, 2008, so please call early.
We are excited to offer you a new location for this year’s
meeting...
2008 USEA Area II Calendars
posted: January, 2008
2008 Calendars are ready and hot off the presses. You thought you’d seen it
all with the Area II 2006 Calendar Girls, and we must fondly be adieu to our
2007 Area II Calendar Guys. We hope you enjoy our 2008 calendar packed with fun
shots of the Waredaca Training Three day past and present. Check out our new
Sunday to Saturday format and don't miss out on your favorite event's open date.
As always, the 2008 calendars include event listings for all 2008 Area II
recognized events and the opening/closing dates for each competition. The
calendars sell for $20 each plus postage with the proceeds to benefit the
Educational Training Level Three Day at Waredaca.
Click here for a calendar order form. For more information, please
contact Pat Mansfield by phone at 301.774.7258 or
email.
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