USEA Convention Program

3 W E LC O M E F RO M T H E U S E A Welcome to the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention! We have returned to the "Big Easy" and we hope that they are ready for when the eventers come to town! Thank you for joining us as we reflect on a memorable year. While some of the memories are related to miserable weather and natural disasters, there were also plenty of amazing memories as well. Thank you very much to Area V for welcoming us! Our 2018 Convention is being held in honor of our officials! Theirs is one of the more thankless jobs in our sport. When things go well no one thinks of them, and when things go badly, they are often some of the first to face the focus of the general public. Over the last several years the USEA and the USEA Foundation have worked to lessen the burden of the cost to become an official and improve the pipeline of new officials into the sport. We have also continued to invest in our licensed officials' educational programs which has been regarded as one of the best in the world. At this convention you will find several useful talks for officials and eventers alike on topics such as: Problem Solving: Reason, Response, Recommendation and Resolutions for Officials; Step-by-Step: How to Become an Official; Rule Change Open Forum, and much more! This year the USEA staff have worked with our committees and volunteer leaders to develop a more streamlined schedule. With two main tracks, "Events" and "Eventers," you should be able to find plenty of interesting talks. Add to that the parties which will be as fabulous as ever, culminating with the USEA's Eventing Hall of Fame Gala! These will all have the flavor of New Orleans infused into them which will undoubtedly be uproarious. Among our many speakers are several talks that have been made possible thanks to our amazing sponsors. Please take a minute to thank them for all that they do for our sport! Of special note Roy Burek of Charles Owen will present a thought-provoking presentation on "How New Safety Technology is going to Reduce Injuries" and Coach Daniel Stewart from Equestrian Athlete Camps Held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center will give one of his extremely popular sessions on "Equestrian Fitness & Focus." On Thursday please join us for the Board of Governors Welcome Reception in the Armstrong Room at the Sheraton New Orleans. As this is a Hall of Fame year our annual awards celebration will move to Friday at lunchtime where we will celebrate the successes of our members. The Annual Meeting of Members will occur on Saturday at lunchtime and finish with a keynote speech from the US Equestrian Eventing High Performance Director Erik Duvander. We will wrap up all of the parties on Saturday night as we celebrate our newest inductees into the Hall of Fame: Karen O'Connor, Martin Simensen, Out and About, Howard Simpson, Nina and Tim Gardner, and Captain Mark Phillips. Hall of Fame member Jim Wofford will once again serve as the master of ceremonies for all of our various celebrations. Jim is always able to add both wit and wisdom to everything he does, and we thank him for his continued service to eventing. Finally, please extend your thanks to all of our Convention sponsors: Adequan, Devoucoux, Nutrena, Charles Owen, SmartPak, Rebecca Farm, Mountain Horse, Merck Animal Health, Standlee Hay, Auburn Laboratories, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis Saddles, Bit of Britain, World Equestrian Brands, Gallops Saddlery, RevitaVet, CWD, Equestrian Athlete Camps held at the US Olympic Training Center, Stop Heart Attack/Trio Safety, Parker Equine Insurance, Hylofit, and more! Visit them and our fabulous vendors at our trade fair area throughout the convention. We thank you for your membership and for your commitment to the sport we love! USEA Chief Executive Officer, Rob Burk USEA President, Carol Kozlowski

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