The country’s eight current training-level three-day events, as well as several more inaugurals this year, will have USEA endorsement and a new title sponsor—SmartPak Equine.

A bronze, silver and gold medal system to recognize achievements at beginner novice through preliminary level, similar to that of the U.S. Dressage Federation, will begin Feb. 1.

A Continental Cup CIC*** series including the events at Red Hills (Fla.), Galway Downs (Calif.), The Fork (N.C.) and Rebecca Farm (Mont.) is under negotiation for 2010.

Officials at the Fédération Equestre Internationale will be removing all mention of the long-format three-day event from their rulebook in the coming year. The United States is the only nation that still offers the traditional format, at the one-star level, so riders can expect to see nationally-sanctioned CCN*s on the 2009 calendar. U.S. Equestrian Federation officials are negotiating an exception to FEI rules to allow these national one-stars to still serve as international qualifiers.

The FEI’s decision to increase the international star system—rendering the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** a five-star—has been put on hold.