USEF Pathways Program for US Vaulting Horses Pilot
Launching September, 2023
Purpose:
The USEF Pathways Program for Vaulting Horses is intended to:
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Increase the number of horses competing in USEF vaulting events
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Improve the performance, health and fitness of vaulting horses through education of lungeurs and coaches. (Example: improve the understanding and application of the training pyramid.)
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Develop the lunging skills of vaulting lungeurs
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Develop a pipeline of US horses prepared to compete overseas at CVI’s and Championships in the future
Activities:
Participants in the Pathways Program for US Vaulting Horses will have access to a number of supports from the program, sponsored by the USEF Vaulting Sport Committee. Initial program may include:
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Zoom sessions on training pyramid, lunging and horse score topics
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In-person educational clinics
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Virtual judging on horse score
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Grants for local supports (such as travel grants or riding lessons and lunging training)
In the pilot program, there will be two tiers of participation - developing and elite.
Criteria to Qualify for USEF Vaulting Pathways Program for US Vaulting Horses
The horse qualifies for the program (not the lungeur)
Developing:
Three “overall” horse scores of 6.8 or higher from three different USEF or FEI competitions earned in the prior 18 months. These scores may be earned in any USEF or FEI class at any recognized USEF or FEI competition. At least one of these competitions must have a 3 or 4 judge panel (with a dedicated judge assessing the horse.)
An overall horse score is:
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Two rounds from the same class at the same competition
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Includes at least one freestyle
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Example Silver 2* individuals - Submit either comps to left or right AND freestyle
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Example Senior PDD - submit both rounds of freestyle
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Includes the scores from all judges judging the horse score.
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If more than one judge judged horse score for the class (ie compulsories), submit the horse scores from each judge.
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If the competition used split scoring with 3 - 4 judges, submit the score from the horse judge only.
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Three overall horse scores must be submitted from three different competitions.
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Participants may not submit two classes at the same competition.
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Elite:
Three “overall” horse scores of 7.3 or higher from three different USEF or FEI competitions earned in the prior 18 months.
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In addition to meeting all of the requirements for the Developing program, horse scores must be from at least three different judges. This can be from different competitions or within one competition.
Application:
Horses will be admitted to the program two times per year - September and January. Lungeurs/owners must complete an application and submit proof of scores. This can be the original scoresheet or a screenshot of the official scoring site (compweb, vaultingresults.com.)