USEA Convention Program

42 C O N V E N T I O N H I G H L I G H T S WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES REVIEW Saturday, December 8 | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Panelists: William Coleman, Phillip Dutton, Erik Duvander, Boyd Martin, Lynn Symansky, & Sam Watson | Armstrong Participants from the World Equestrian Games eventing competition will be on hand to recount the highs and lows of the 2018 World Equestrian Games held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center. They will also share their thoughts on the future of the World Equestrian Games as a unified competition for multiple disciplines or as standalone competitions by sport. 1981: THE LAST TIME A RIDER OF THE YEAR WAS FEMALE Saturday, December 8 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Moderators: Nina Gardner, Jonathan Holling, Karen O'Connor, & Lynn Symansky | Borgne In 1981, the USEA/USCTA Rider of the Year Award was won by the late Karen Stives. However, over the past 37 years, the prize has been awarded to only five different riders, all of whom were male. Given the prevalence of female eventers, this panel will tackle a discussion on why the award has alluded female riders for the past several decades. Relevant data will be provided to supplement this challenging discussion. AMATEUR & ADULT RIDER OPEN FORUM Saturday, December 8 | 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Moderator: Dawn Robbins | Borgne Adult Rider Committee Co-Chair Dawn Robbins will host the Amateur & Adult Rider Open Forum. This open forum will focus on amateur issues. Adult Rider coordinators will be discussing their current activities and ideas for improving the sport for the adult rider and the amateur. Speakers will touch on amateur issues, including topics such as having more amateur divisions, cross-country courses and difficulty, getting new amateurs into the sport, the definition of amateur, and keeping down the costs of eventing. Then we will open the floor to discussion. Please attend and bring your questions, concerns, and solutions. We want to hear from you! THE FUTURE OF DATA SCIENCE IN EVENTING Sunday, December 9 | 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Speakers: Diarm Byrne, Sam Watson, & Robert Winter Napoleon B2/3 This presentation will review the use of data to guide decisions in eventing, with a particular focus on risk management and how the USEA uses the ERQI system. We will also look at how data is being used around the world to improve fan engagement, high performance, and the next steps for EquiRatings with predictive analysis. TAI CHI FOR RIDERS Sunday, December 9 | 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Speaker: Matt Brown | Napoleon C2 Wake up after sitting through long convention meetings and improve your balance, timing, and strength. Come learn from four-star eventer Matt Brown how to stay with your horse over those big drops, how to sit that extended trot, and how to control your horse without tension. This class will help you to increase your balance and partnership skills by using techniques from the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi Chuan. The strength gained through this type of martial arts training can often be very useful to riders due to the increased flexibility, body awareness, and posture that goes along with the training. Come have fun working out your convention kinks and improve your riding while not in the saddle.

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