United States Eventing Association

Competitors at the Winona Horse Trials will be among the first in the nation to compete for the NEW ‘Technical Merit Award’.

The top four scoring riders at each level will receive a ribbon and the best scoring rider at each level will receive a certificate for a photo of their horse competing at the Winona Horse Trials along with a ‘Technical Merit Award’ picture frame to put their photo in.

The awards are sponsored by Joanna Rae of American National Insurance Family of Companies. For more information about any insurance needs please contact Joanna at 440-479-9818 or jrae9818@hotmail.com.

The USEA Board of Governors passed a resolution at the 2008 Annual Meeting endorsing the concept of a Technical Merit Award, to be used as a purely voluntary, positive and educational bonus to existing competitions. The idea is to assess the technical merit of competitors’ riding over some portion (i.e. several jumps) on the cross-country course. The Technical Merit Award is designed to encourage riders to improve their riding skills on cross-country and judges will be looking for the competitor who impresses with a well-balanced and well-paced ride and those who exhibit a safe cross-country position. This is a stand alone award like “Best Turnout” or “Best Conditioned Horse.”

It is important to note that the Technical Merit Award will be completely separate from the regular scoring of horse trials. This award is for the benefit of those riders who are interested, and those who don’t wish to receive this additional feedback should feel free to opt-out of what is intended as a fun and positive addition to the competition. However, riders who sign up for this award will receive an evaluation form for feedback and be eligible for awards.

So if you’re interested, look for the sign up sheet when you pick up your packet. There is NO CHARGE, only the opportunity for a more fulfilling competition experience!