February 5, 2010 — The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will continue to lead a joint development program with the FEI in Central and South America. The USEF made a commitment to supply coaches from the USA and Canada to FEI regional Groups IV and V for 2010 and 2011 after a very successful pilot year in 2009.
The objective of this program is to increase the participation in regional games in the area going forward. Immediate goals include the 2010 Caribbean Games in Puerto Rico and the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Eight countries have taken part in this program from Group IV and V. Riders from the Barbados, Bermuda, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Trinidad have all benefited from training with some of the top riders from the US and Canada. Kyle Carter, Jonathan Holling, Clark Montgomery, Allison Springer, Lendon Gray, Marcia Kulak, Kim Severson and Robert Costello are those clinicians that have travelled to these countries to teach throughout the year.
More countries including FEI regional Group VI have expressed interest in the development program, and the scope of the program looks to grow through 2011.
This development initiative is made possible by funding from the FEI and Las Vegas Events who matched the FEI’s program budget as part of their bid for the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final for Dressage and Show Jumping.
