U.S. Saddle Seat Young Rider Team Meets for First Team Training Session

From the USEF National Affiliates Training Session

In preparation for the 2013 U.S. Saddle Seat Invitational, to be held April 5-6, 2013 at William Woods University, the U.S. Saddle Seat Young Rider Team attended their first training session on March 1-3 at Cascade Stables in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was the first time the riders and coaches could all come together to work and train as a team. It afforded riders an opportunity to prepare for the Invitational competition against South Africa and Canada. Just as they will at the Invitational, Saddle Seat Young Rider Team members rode horses that were unfamiliar.

Team members met on Friday for a meet-and-greet dinner and the training session got underway Saturday. Five-gaited and three-gaited sections performed rail and pattern work, along with other drills on multiple horses. The session also included horseback team-building activities that helped members get to know one another, and build a team dynamic, while continuing to work in their seats. Team members also had a chance to visit some historic parts of New Orleans and relax during a trail ride.
 
Morgan rider Lila Tartar is a member of the three-gaited team.

The U.S. Saddle Seat Equitation Young Rider Team was created by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to develop riders for future U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup competitions. During years that the Saddle Seat World Cup competition is not held, members of the Young Rider Team will be eligible to represent the United States in other international competitions.

For more information about the U.S. Saddle Seat Invitational, which will be open to the public, go to http://www.usef.org/documents/disciplines/SSE/2013PrizeListYR.pdf.