Immersive Educational Experience
The USAWE Board recently approved an Immersive Educational Experience, to take place in spring 2025 at a WE competition in Portugal. The hope is that this will become an annual event.
Participants will learn from a WAWE International Judge, hired to provide instruction throughout the event. Judges sit with the WAWE judge during the competition and interact directly; all others will be able to listen to the judge’s comments through their headsets.
Communal lunch and dinner give everyone the opportunity to discuss what they are learning.
The exact date will depend on when the Portuguese WE organization schedules their spring competition in Vimeiro but is likely to be late April or early May.
This opportunity is open to all USAWE members (not just judges).
USAWE will cover the honorarium for the WAWE Judge providing instruction. All attendees (including organizers) will be responsible for covering their travel costs and contributing a small amount (likely about $20) to help with the WAWE judge expenses.
ITINERARY
FRIDAY
Arrive in Lisbon no later than 9 am on the Friday before the competition. Drive to Lisbon to watch a training session at the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, tour the National Carriage Museum, walk along the waterway, and/or sample the famous custard tarts at Pasteis de Belem, etc.
After lunch, drive to Vimeiro and check in at Hotel Golf Mar, where the competition will be held. Eat dinner and go to bed early.
SATURDAY
Eat a hearty breakfast in the hotel and then head to the competition grounds to watch the Dressage trials.
Judges will sit with Antonio. All others will sit in a nearby area with a good view of the dressage court and within reach of the remote headset/speaker system they have purchased in advance for this seminar so they can listen to Antonio while they are watching.
Group lunch back at the hotel, giving all members in attendance the opportunity to debrief / discuss their “key take-aways” and “aha moments” from the morning session.
After lunch, return to the competition grounds for the rest of the Dressage rides, with Antonio once again providing guided discussion for the judges while others listen via headsets from a different part of the competition venue.
When the competition is over for the day, return to the hotel for a shower before dinner. Join the rest of the USAWE group in the hotel banquet hall for a buffet-style dinner featuring a variety of Portuguese delicacies.
SUNDAY
Breakfast in the hotel, EOH and Speed course walks and trials.
Lunch and dinner at the hotel together. Either drive back to Lisbon and stay in a hotel close to the airport after dinner (for an early flight home) or stay one more night in Vimeiro.
MONDAY
After breakfast, drive back to Lisbon and fly home or continue exploring Portugal on your own.
ESTIMATED COST
$550 – $750, plus flight expenses
If you are interested in learning more, please complete the following “expression of interest” Google form
USA Working Equitation is seeking a Competitions Committee Chair to oversee and manage all aspects of our Competitions Committee. As the Competitions Committee Chair, you will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and successful execution of the USAWE licensing process, and utilize effective and transparent communication with the board, committee members, committee chairs, and show managers. You will collaborate with various other committees to ensure that our competitions are fair, enjoyable, and efficient for all participants. This is a challenging and rewarding role for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment.
If you have any questions about the position please reach out to the Competitions Committee Chair for more information.
