USET Foundation PHILANTHROPIC PARTNER OF US EQUESTRIAN NEWS VOLUME 19, ISSUE 2 • FALL 2020 IS PAVED IN 2021 The USET Foundation (USET) is dedicated to providing funding to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to support the preparation for and delivery of the U.S. Equestrian Teams at championships and Nations Cups. This support also includes backing and development of a robust pathway for Developing and Emerging athletes as they begin their journey to repre- senting the United States in international competition and on the podium. hile there are challenges leading into the Tokyo the first opportunity for U.S. teams to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, now rescheduled Olympic Games,” said Connell. “Additionally, there should be a Wfor 2021, what is not uncertain is the commitment focus on Developing athletes and horses ahead of 2024. Now we and specific plans being made for the next “home” Olympic must find a way to focus on both Tokyo and 2022; this is a very and Paralympic Games, which will be held in Los Angeles in real challenge. 2028 (LA28). “The reality is that there is very rarely a legal or ethical Will Connell, Director of Sport for USEF, ‘magic wand’ that can deliver a Pathway and has laid out a detailed plan to medals in all Program that guarantees sustained success, four disciplines at LA28, which will put unless it is having the resource to con- a framework and roadmap in place tinually purchase the very best hors- to deliver sustained success. This es,” Connell continued. “Therefore, Plan will work in tandem with the most leading equestrian nations Federation’s Strategic Plan, which are doing very similar things. We will be reviewed in early 2021. must seek to do the basics bet- But how does that success ter than other nations but also happen? It will require specif- grab every opportunity to find ic targets in the major Games the 0.5% performance increase; leading up to LA28 and build- those opportunities are out ing systems to bring along there to identify and imple- younger athletes and young ment if the resource exists.” horses in order to find, devel- Connell and USEF recog- op, and set up the best tal- nized that various criteria, or ent for the future. The robust “Key Performance Indicators plan is designed to be fluid in (KPIs),” for the pathway ath- order to accommodate changes in letes were met leading up the the upcoming year, with a goal to anticipated 2020 Tokyo Olympic get all of the important stakeholders Games, including a Para Pathway engaged and planning for 2028 now. and Centers of Excellence, giving The plan has five core pillars, as Developing athletes team experience, set- outlined by Connell originally for the 2016 ting performance standards for European Games, but have now been projected out to 2028: tours, and enhanced Talent ID systems. Talent, Vision, Commitment, Environment, and Resource. “The Pathway needs to expand to better accommodate all “While 2021 is a year of double vision, as it is the first year of the necessary areas of Talent ID, Talent Confirmation, and Talent the Paris quadrennial year planning, but also now the final year Development,” said Connell. “While ultimately, it is the partner- for Tokyo quadrennial year planning, the focus in 2021 should ship of athlete and horse that will deliver medals, the program have been preparing for 2022 World Championships, which is must identify talented athletes regardless, within reason, of their Continued on page 3 Dear Friends, In the six months since our spring newsletter, we have navigated a complicated landscape—both in our day-to-day lives and in equestrian Officers sport. W. James McNerney, Jr. While the future remains uncertain, I am proud of our athletes’ and Chairman, President & CEO our community’s resilience and look forward to U.S. equestrian team William H. Weeks Vice President achievements in the year ahead. The 2021 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo remain top of mind, we have 16 discipline champi- Akiko Yamazaki Secretary onships from now through 2021, and we are preparing for the 2022 Philip Ernst Richter World Championships, the first opportunity for the U.S. to qualify for Treasurer the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. As US Equestrian Board of Trustees (USEF) Director of Sport, Will Connell, points out in his Road to LA28 Georgina Bloomberg plan, these near-term events are critical factors in the plan for the long- Alex Boone term success of our U.S. equestrian teams. At the same time, it requires a certain level of commitment Jane Forbes Clark George H. Davis, Jr. and specific strategies that foster development and matriculation for emerging athletes. Lisa T. Deslauriers The USET Foundation’s “Raising the Bar” Campaign was designed to support a robust pathway William Craig Dobbs that Will Connell has outlined in his plan. With a goal of raising $40 million, the Campaign has raised Margaret H. Duprey Elizabeth Fath $34.7 million as of October. With $5.3 million more to raise, we need to continue reaching out across Louis M. Jacobs our community. The money generated by the Raising the Bar Campaign will help fund programs not Elizabeth L. Johnson only this year, but also into the next quadrennial. Similarly, the Stephen Blauner Challenge was estab- S. Tucker S. Johnson Cayce Harrison Judge lished in Stephen’s honor with a goal of raising $1.2 million by year’s end. Funds from the Challenge Elizabeth B. Juliano will not only help our U.S. Eventing Team at the Tokyo Olympic Games, they will also help support Howard Keenan Murray Kessler the USEF Developing Programs to establish an endowment fund that will provide an annual grant for Fritz Kundrun this country’s up-and-coming athletes. Anne Kursinski This quarter alone, we’ve made great strides in continuing to build this pathway for emerging Beezie Madden Mary Anne McPhail athletes in what is a difficult year. Winners were crowned at the Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Frank G. Merrill Search Finals West and East, respectively, and Liz Halliday-Sharp was a recipient of the Jacqueline Elizabeth Meyer B. Mars National Competition and Training Grant, which enabled her to compete at Galway Downs Elizabeth Miller Misdee Wrigley Miller International in October. In this issue, we also check in with rising stars in eventing, combined driving, Karen O’Connor and para dressage. Signe Ostby Robin Cleary Parsky This year, we honored Jane Forbes Clark for her 40th year as a Gold Medal Giving recipient. Her Maurice (Chip) Perkins contributions to high-performance equestrian sport are virtually unmatched. Suzanne Thomas Porter Finally, we pay tribute to Colonel John Russell and Agneta Currey, whose tremendous influences Juliet Reid Rebecca Reno on our beloved sport will always be remembered. Patti Scialfa As we head into the holiday season, I want to thank all of the supporters of the USET Foundation Eric L. Straus and equestrian sport. The collective compassion and generosity of everyone is what will propel us to Diane Thomas Zacharie Vinios success next year and for many years to come. Chester C. Weber Have a happy and healthy holiday season! Jack Wetzel USET Foundation Staff Sincerely, 908-234-1251 Bonnie B. Jenkins Executive Director, ext. 215 Mark P. Piwowar Bonnie Jenkins Chief Financial Officer, ext. 200 Executive Director Kaki Meyer Executive Assistant, ext. 208 Michele Cotter Director of Annual Support, ext. 205 Mary-Ellen Milesnick Campaign Manager & Data Base Manager, ext. 204 Check out the 2020 October issue of YOUR TEAM at USET.org Catherine Pane Accounting Supervisor Eventing’s Leading Couple Share Everything… Even Their & Office Manager, ext. 203 Name! Maureen Pethick Communications & Facilities The Art of Horsemanship – Melanie Smith Coordinator, ext. 207 Clifton J. Cotter, Jr. McLain Ward: Class Act, In and Out of the Ring Director of Facilities, ext. 202 Eric Cohan U.S. Show Jumping Team Veterinarian Tim Ober Keeps Facilities, ext. 206 America’s Top Show Jumpers Healthy and Happy Jump Media Newsletter Editor And more! Miriam Morgan Graphic Designer The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET) is a philanthropic partner of US Equestrian (USEF).The USET Foundation funds U.S. teams and programs through charitable gifts and donations and makes grants to USEF annually. 2 THE ROAD TO LA28 horsepower – especially at the Emerging Development of Young Horse pro- and lower end of development.” grams and pathways will be an important Another important area of focus will focus, and the U.S. must look to expand be for USEF to more effectively promote our abilities to identify horses with Games talented youth athletes to owners. potential and provide economically viable “Owners will be in the sport for many competition opportunities in all disciplines. reasons, but I hope we can focus on com- The strategy with Sports Science and munication, recognition, and involve- Medicine (SSM), equine and human, is ment,” said Connell. “I hope we will see to develop the concept of interoperability. more owners involved with younger riders An overall enhancement of the delivery in the Pathway to secure horses and give of Equine and Human SSM, looking at experience and support to riders that will the horse/athlete as one entity will be aim for LA28. Of course, we also hope to important, bringing together and engaging see owners continuing to support our elite the entire horse and human care provider athletes who have such an excellent record team—the veterinarians, farriers, grooms, of delivering medals.” physiotherapists, nutritionists, gait analysis, For those just entering the Performance doctor and of course the coach. When look- Pathway at the Emerging level, USEF ing at performance enhancement through Photo courtesy of US Equestrian anticipates working with affiliates (United SSM, it is through the concept of interoper- Will Connell, Director of Sport for USEF States Hunter Jumper Association, United ability that we can aim to help athletes and States Dressage Federation, United States coaches seek a competitive enhancement.