Schedule Finalized For 2012 Charles Owen Technical Merit Awards

The USEA has finalized the schedule for the 2012 Charles Owen Technical Merit Awards, and one horse trial in each of the ten areas of the country will play host to the award. The Technical Merit Awards will be judged for Training Amateurs and Juniors at the following events:

About the Charles Owen Technical Merit Award

The Charles Owen Technical Merit Award was founded by the USEA Professional Horsemens’ Council. The hope is that this award will provide incentives for riders who demonstrate safe and appropriate cross-country technique, and will also educate riders and trainers as to what constitutes safe riding across country. Riders entered in the designated divisions will automatically be judged and will receive scoresheets with written comments, which will provide valuable feedback for them and their trainers. Judges qualified to evaluate riders to receive the award are: Level IV ICP instructors, USEA licensed officials, and USET Senior Team riders.

Winners of the Charles Owen Technical Merit Award receive a Charles Owen Body Protector and helmet bag. In addition the highest scoring junior and highest scoring senior at the end of the year will receive a Charles Owen helmet at the USEA Annual Awards Ceremony.

The judging criteria are based on technical merit and safe riding on cross country. It includes the following elements:

1.    Gallop: Appropriate speed for level, terrain, conditions, type of obstacle, and balance. 

2.    Preparation Period: Demonstrates change in balance appropriate for type of obstacle. Choice of line of direction/approach, riders demonstrates proper aids, horse responsive to aids. 

3.    Execution of Jump: Jumped in proper balance with no twisting or drifting. Safe negotiation by horse with no badly hanging legs, rider stays in balance. 

4.    Rider Position: Secure, effective position, use of upper body, fitness.

5.    General Impressions: Horse appropriate for level, rider in control, partnership of horse and rider, confidence of horse and rider, competence and preparation for level.