USEA Podcast #410: Let's Chat Cross-Country Course Design

In this episode of the USEA Podcast, we kick things off with a quick but insightful conversation with Amy Dorm of Marshall & Sterling Equine Insurance, who shares a few key tips on navigating coverage and making sure you’re set up with the right policy for your horse. From there, we dive into the fascinating world of cross-country course design with Adri Doyle and Beth Perkins—two of the leading female designers in the U.S. They take listeners behind the scenes of what it really takes to build a course, from balancing challenge and safety to understanding how horses read questions on course. The conversation explores everything from terrain to the impact of decoration, frangible technology, and how thoughtful design can shape the entire rider experience. Adri and Beth also share their personal journeys into course design and offer valuable advice for anyone interested in getting involved—especially women looking to make their mark in this space. It’s an engaging and eye-opening look at the creativity, strategy, and dedication that go into designing the courses we ride every weekend.