NEWS&VIEWScontinued...
tion standards. Farmers must demonstrate suc- cessful implementation of a nutrient manage- ment plan that meets state standards and also show the highest levels of best management practices related to soil and water conservation. Farms that become certifi ed benefi t with a
three-year waiver from state nutrient man- agement inspections as well as being able to display signage recognizing the farm as a Bay Friendly Farm.
USEF Goes Digital for Dressage
Licensing Offi cials T e U.S. Equestrian Federation announced
on December 8 that it has reached an agree- ment with Black Horse One for a licensed of- fi cial training and evaluation partnership. T e agreement, which begins in 2024, will assist USEF in elevating the education and evalua- tion process for licensed offi cials. Black Horse One’s online platform, Eques-
trian Hub, will allow judges to watch video re- cording of athlete and horse combinations and input a score or placing based on their obser- vations. T eir scores/placings are then graded against a reference judge, or judges, to deter- mine if the applying judge’s scores are within an acceptable range. T e program will greatly reduce the cost and
travel involved for licensed offi cials. “Our li- censed offi cials will now have a way to upskill and obtain an objective assessment remotely,” said USEF Chief Operating Offi cer and Gener- al Counsel Sonja Keating. “Applicants will now receive immediate feedback on their scoring and will be able to learn at their own pace. Any op- portunity we have to ensure judge applicants ob- tain the practical skill set to score or place a class correctly is something we must do.” T e need for a digital licensing platform was
fi rst requested by USEF’s dressage communi- ty, thus the new program will fi rst be utilized within USDF on a trial basis. “While the pro- cess will begin with dressage, we are excited at the opportunity to potentially expand the video evaluation tool for other breeds and disciplines, should they be interested,” Keating added.
IEA Essay Contest T e Interscholastic Equestrian Association
(IEA) is partnering with Trafalgar Square Books and author/biographer Lettie Teague to launch the new Dear Marguerite National Essay Con- test. T e contest is open to youth IEA members in grades 4-12 and pays tribute to legendary au- thor Marguerite Henry. T e essay contest is for creative writing related to equestrian life, horse welfare and historical horse fi gures.
Winners will be awarded for both Middle
School and Upper School participants along with Honorable Mention winners. T e Middle School winner will receive a $500 cash prize while the Upper School winner earned $1000. Both winners will also receive an autographed copy of the new book Dear Readers and Riders and a Breyer Misty Gift Set. Winning essays will be published in the 2024 IEA Hunt Seat National Finals program. For more information and entry forms, visit
https://conta.cc3RGDyQL
AQHA Foundation Scholarships American Quarter Horse Association Foun-
dation Scholarship applications are due Janu- ary 15! Funding from these scholarships will be awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year with awards totaling more than $375,000. Applicants must be AQHA or AQHYA
(youth association) members with winners se- lected based on academic achievement, fi nan- cial need and AQHA involvement. Leadership and communication skills are also considered in the selection process. A complete list of application guidelines
and online application can be found at https://
aqhfoundation.smapply.io/prog/aqhf_scholar- ship_program/
10 | JANUARY 2024 | THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION
800-244-9580 |
www.equiery.com
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