A New Concept - the US Event Horse Futurity

Elizabeth Callahan
Cool Na Grena Sporthorses
I have been a breeder here in the US for over 25 years, and have had a fairly successful event horse breeding program in that I have bred a 4* horse, as well as 3* horses, advanced and intermediate horses, and good number of prelim and lower level horses.  Even with that success, it has been difficult in the past for me to find and attract buyers for my event bred horses. I know other breeders have the same problems.  Because I also compete (at the lower levels), I also often hear upper level eventers say they do not know where to find talented young horses in the US - they feel they must go overseas to find them.  Obviously, both sides need to connect in order to support both our breeding programs and our upper level riders.  Discussions centering around this need have led to the concept behind the US Event Horse Futurity.

First, I have to admit this was not really my idea, but I seemed to have inherited it :-)  The purpose is to bridge the gap between breeders and riders in the US.  I know a lot of breeders who don't know where to go to get youngsters trained or how to find riders for them.  Hopefully,  we can create a program that attracts trainers to promote our US-bred horses and lets both sides make connections that may align our different,  but related goals.  We foresee that trainers will look for prospects to partner with, riders will find breeders who produce nice youngsters, and everyone will benefit.  We also want to showcase some trainers and riders who aren’t well known but do a great job, so that they will benefit as well.  

I already have at least 5 riders (some of them 4 and 3*) that have expressed interest in training.  What I really need now is for breeders to take a step and commit to trying this out.  I think that deals could be worked out that would lessen the cost for the breeder, but you have to put your money where your mouth is and spend a little to get your horses and your name out there.  We are such a tight fisted group - we will send  money on stud fees and mares, but when it comes to training....  

Here is an outline for the US Event Horse Futurity and how the program will work.

US Event Horse Futurity 2019 (Horses born in 2015)
Understand that this is a pilot program that will be organized and run by volunteers – mistakes will be made and we will all learn how to improve the program as it evolves.
 
Purpose 

• To develop a market for purpose bred /produced event horses through media exposure and publicity
• To develop and promote a pool of professionals who are willing and able to develop the young event horse to the top levels of the sport
• To develop and align a network of breeders, trainers and riders to develop the pool of young horse talent in the US
• To engage the general public into the world of young horses and Young Event Horse Training 
• To develop a fan base for young horses and young horse trainers.

Eligibility

• Completion of the Application 
• Open to horses eligible for the 4 year old Young Event Horse Championships of 2019
• US purpose bred only (no OTTB that have recorded works or starts) 
• Age verification required with application  -(proof of pedigree and date of birth) such as registration papers, stallion certificate, vet verification 
• Commitment of riders/trainers to provide monthly training updates in the form of a blog and short video (3-5 minute clip) (Failure to provide two updates results in dropping from program and forfeiture of nomination fee). 
• Horse and rider to compete as a team.
• Horse and rider must be registered with the USEA
• Must be eligible and complete the requirements  (including the qualification scores) for the YEH Championships to be considered for the final awards
• Only horses planning to attending the East Coast YEH will be considered for the pilot year
• Must satisfy all USEF requirements (Safe Sport)
• Must sign a hold harmless agreement 

How the Entries Work

• Entries will submit an application form and a fee of $525 if accepted prior to Jan 1 and 750 prior to Jan 15    Once paid, the fee is not refundable in any case
• Nominated entries submitted to the committee will be chosen based on adherence to the selection criteria and purpose of the Futurity
• The decision of the selection committee is final
• No refund of any monies will be given in cases, such as, but not limited to – illness, accident, injury of horse or rider or failure to qualify for the Championships 
• Entries will be limited to 12 horses for the pilot year
• A Facebook page  (The US Event Horse Futurity) will chronicle each contestant monthly   This page will develop a dialog on assessment of pedigrees, training of young horses with transparency, typical setbacks, etc so allowing those not familiar with young horses to understand the patience and skill required.

1. The 1st month blog/video will have a breeding focus, with the breeders to contribute information on why they picked this particular sire and dam, as well as bloodlines, etc
2. The second month will show groundwork or the starting of the horse under saddle, so as to expose the public to how young horses are started 
3. Monthly blogs will then be required, with the understanding that this is a transparent process and setbacks are to be acknowledged
4. The committee will suggest curtain topics for discussion.  Questions: can include the following 

• How much handling has the horse done prior to starting training?
• Has he gone off the property to any in hand shows/inspections/schooling?
• Barefoot or shod?
• What is the Initial impression of the horse?
  

Monthly update questions:

• How is it going with the young horse?  
• Tell us about the bridle and saddle you start the young horse with?
• Progress, Set backs, Overall impression of suitability this month?
• Tell us about the schedule? What does an average week look like? Hacking, vs. schooling, days off?
• How are things going with shoeing, clipping, shipping?
• What is your goal for the next month?
  

Two consecutive months of not posting will eliminate a contestant from the program  - no refund will be given.  Transparency is to be encouraged.  Not every horse will be mature enough to participate in the Championships, and not all training will go to plan.  These setbacks are to be acknowledged and worked through in a visible manner.  It is our hope that a trainer will develop a following, not only by winning the competition but also by developing the young horse to the best of their abilities.
 
Awards to Entrants
Awards will be presented at the East Coast Young Event Horse Championships in October 2019 to the highest scoring Futurity Entrants.  They do not have to be the overall winner, but must compete and finish the competition to be eligible for the prize money.  Monies collected will be distributed in the following manner after expenses are met (awards, etc).

• 10% to the breeder of highest scoring Futurity entrant
• 50% to the highest scoring Futurity entrant
• 25 % to 2nd place Futurity entrant
• 10% to 3rd place Futurity entrant
• 5 % to 4th place Futurity entrant
• Ribbons to the Highest scoring horse and reserve
• Ribbon to the fan favorite entrant (chosen by polling the week before the Championship)​

Awards to Fans

• There will be a drawing of a winner from all those who correctly picked the highest scoring Futurity horse (prize to be determined) in the polling the week before the Championships
• Other special awards (most engaged, best insights, etc) may be awarded to fans as the program develops

Why did I decide to run with the project (besides being caught in a weak moment)? I bred a horse that was selected to represent the US at the World Championships for Young Event Horses at Le Lion d’Angers in France this past fall, and was lucky enough to attend.  The best young event horses in Europe were there, as were the best riders.   And at the end of the day, my US-bred horse (the only US bred in the over 100 horses that were there) was just as competititive as the best Europe has to offer.  There are many more of these horses in the US - we just have to get US riders to  find them and get breeders to find the trainers and riders.  It’s simple, it’s just not easy....

Please send you questions to [email protected].