Classic Eventing Nation

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Feb 17, 2018 12:01 am -

Northeastern eventers have been blessed this week with some warmer weather which brings respite from a bitterly cold early winter. It’s great to see ‘grams popping up of folks spending time with their horses without having to bundle up so much that they look like the Michelin Man. Just four more weeks until spring – we can do it!

National Holiday: National Random Acts of Kindness Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Rocking Horse Winter II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Results]

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Results]

Saturday Links:

Former riders in the running for medals at Winter Olympics

Dressage for a Jumper? The Secret Weapon Behind Royce’s Success with Margie Engle

Breast-related barriers to horse riding widely reported among women in study

Incorporating Equine Learning Principles Into Veterinary Practice

Hot on Horse Nation: When to Speak Up: Red Flags & Warning Signs for Reporting Abuse

Saturday Video: It me.

https://www.facebook.com/131747207413050/videos/188312165089887/

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: An OTTB and a Stroke of Genius

By on Feb 16, 2018 7:35 pm -

Metro the ex-racehorse practices his skills for a new category in the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover. (Not really.)

On the 2nd of February, 794 lucky equestrians across America found out that they’d be taking part in this year’s Thoroughbred Makeover and, as such, playing a pivotal role in demonstrating how game and multi-talented off-the-track Thoroughbreds are. This is seriously good news, not just for those lucky trainers and horses who will get to reap the rewards of the program, but also for supporters and admirers of OTTBs everywhere. The Thoroughbred horse is back in style, baby!

Metro Meteor the ex-racehorse wasn’t quite sound enough to pursue a second competitive career, but that didn’t stop him – or his enterprising owners – from working on a new skill. Check out this four-legged Banksy’s oeuvre – who wouldn’t want a horse who pays his own vet bills?!

With a little help from dad: Metro’s colourful brushstrokes and owner Ron Krajewski’s details make for a fitting ode to the horse’s former career.

Not only have Metro’s paintings funded the expensive management of his advanced arthritis, they have also helped to give his fellow OTTBs a fresh hope. With 50% of the proceeds of each painting benefiting New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, Metro has raised over $80,000 for his four-legged friends.

Soon, however, Metro will soon be hanging up his brushes and retiring with his best friend Pork Chop. If you’d like to see more of his artwork – or even buy an original of your own, and help OTTBs into the bargain – check out his website here.

Go Thoroughbreds!

USEF: Failure to Report Suspected Sexual Abuse & Misconduct Is a Crime

By on Feb 16, 2018 12:15 pm -

Logos via US Equestrian and U.S. Center for Safe Sport.

Following a letter issued to members yesterday (see “USEF President, CEO Issue Direct Address on Sexual Abuse and Misconduct“), the USEF has posted an update regarding previously pending Senate Bill 534, Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017.

The Bill went to the President’s desk after passing the House and Senate in late January. It was signed into law on Feb. 14 and is effective immediately.

An explanation of the law via the US Equestrian Communications Department:

Senate Bill 534, Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 has been signed into law, becoming effective immediately. The bill imposes a duty on amateur sports organizations, including US Equestrian and its members, to report suspected sex-abuse to local or federal law enforcement or to a child-welfare agency designated by the Justice Department, within 24 hours. Failure to report is subject to criminal penalties.

The bill amends two federal statutes: the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 and the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 1978.

Within the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990, the bill extends the mandatory duty to report to US Equestrian members and participants, who must report suspected sexual abuse to authorities within 24 hours. An individual who does not report the suspected sexual abuse is subject to criminal penalties. Additionally, the bill extends the statute of limitations for victims to bring a civil lawsuit against a perpetrator and allows a claim for punitive damages.

The bill also amends the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 in several ways. Firstly, it designates the U.S. Center for SafeSport to serve as the independent national safe sport organization. This designation includes the responsibility for developing policies and procedures to prevent emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of amateur athletes. The bill also modifies the obligations of amateur athletic organizations, including National Governing Bodies (NGBs) such as US Equestrian.

These organizations must abide by all policies and procedures to prevent any type of abuse. They also must comply with all reporting requirements, establish reasonable procedures to limit one-on-one interactions between athletes who are minors and an adult, offer and provide consistent training to members who are in contact with minors, as well as establish ways to prohibit retaliation against the victim.

Importantly, under the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Code and US Equestrian’s Safe Sport Policy, members of and participants in US Equestrian-licensed competitions and sponsored programs are required to report any suspected sexual misconduct to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, regardless of when and where the misconduct occurred.

“US Equestrian, as the NGB of equestrian sport, puts the safety and welfare of our members and horses first,” says US Equestrian President Murray Kessler. “The safety of our children is of utmost importance and US Equestrian supports the passage of this bill and sees it as an important step towards making our sport safe and enjoyable for all. We have taken many necessary steps to educate our members on the importance of the Safe Sport, but the work has only begun. We value our partnership with the U.S. Center for SafeSport and look forward to connecting our members to the resources that it has to offer.”

View this FAQ for more information on the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017. For more information about the U.S. Center for SafeSport or the Safe Sport Policy, contact Sonja S. Keating at [email protected].

Visit the USEF Safe Sport page here and the U.S. Center for Safe Sport website here. 

[Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 Signed Into Law]

[Safe Sport – Keeping Our Sport Safe for All]

[Bill Protecting Athletes From Abuse Signed Into Law]

 

Equestrian Australia Names 2018 National Eventing Squads

By on Feb 16, 2018 10:52 am -

Ryan Wood and Woodstock Bennett. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Equestrian Australia (EA) has named its 2018 national eventing squads in three categories — the Gold Squad, Green Squad and Generation Next Squad — with U.S.-based Aussie Ryan Wood named to the Green Squad.

Rio Olympic team bronze medalists Shane Rose, Sam Griffiths and Chris Burton are all listed on the 2018 Gold Squad.

The Gold Squad is for riders with medal performances at the most recent World Equestrian Games (WEG) or Olympics and considered capable of a medal performance at the upcoming WEG or Olympics.

Ryan Wood, Sammi Birch, Emma McNab, Katja Weimann and Megan Jones are listed on the 2018 Green Squad.

The Green Squad is for riders with current results at the CCI3* and/or CCI4* level and demonstrate a capability of medal performances at the upcoming WEG or Olympics.

Andrew Barnett, Olivia Barton, Emma Bishop, Andrew Cooper, Isabel English, Shenae Lowings, Robert Palm, Amanda Ross, Katie Taliana, Gemma Tinney, Hazel Shannon and Emma Mason are listed on the 2018 Generation Next Squad.

The Generation Next Squad is for riders who have not recently represented Australia at the WEG or Olympics, including individuals with proven emerging talent and proven performances and results at CCI2* level and above.

EA Eventing Selector Georgia Widdup commented, “We currently have a very strong group of senior horse and rider combinations headed for WEG, which is a major milestone in the journey towards Tokyo 2020.”

“Beyond our more experienced and high profile athletes, the depth of talent in Australia’s eventing ranks is immense, and we are focussed on ensuring that we help them to realize their full potential.”

EA High Performance Director Chris Webb added, “The pool of riders and horses that we have to draw on for potential medal outcomes at WEG and in Tokyo is very encouraging. We have robust programs in place to give them every opportunity to deliver to the very best of their ability.”

Equestrian Australia is expected to announce the WEG eventing coaching team next week.

[Equestrian Australia Names National Eventing Squads]

Kris Belford Ferguson’s Memory Lives on at Fresno County Horse Park

By on Feb 16, 2018 8:00 am -

Photo courtesy of Kris Belford Ferguson’s family.

In October 2016, Area VI lost a beloved member in Kris Belford Ferguson. Kris was a loving wife, devoted mother of two children, friend to all, and woman of many talents who harbored a lifelong love of horses and eventing in particular.

When she was overcome by cancer, friends within the eventing community sought a way to honor Kris’ memory. Earlier, Janice Barr had hatched an idea to to have a memorial cross country fence built at Fresno County Horse Park and worked with Kris to design it. A GoFundMe raised over $3,000 to turn their dream into reality, and the fence debuted on the course last year.

Sketch of the memorial fence. Courtesy of Janice Barr.

Photo courtesy of Janice Barr.

A perpetual trophy was also founded in Kris’ honor, to be awarded annually to the first year Preliminary rider who acquires the most points. Janice explains, “Kris always wanted to compete as a Preliminary rider but didn’t have time to make that happen.”

The trophy will be awarded for the first time tomorrow at this weekend’s Fresno County Horse Park H.T. Kris’ family will be in attendance at the award-giving.

The inaugural recipient is Jaya Mayne of Costa Mesa. Jaya is 15 years old and started eventing four-and-a-half years ago. She trains with Lisa and Brian Sabo and says, “Thanks to them and my parents, they are the reason that any of this is possible.”

Jaya’s horse is Graf Gerhardt, AKA “Gary,” an 8-year-old Oldenburg gelding she has owned since he was 6. They began competing at Prelim together last year, and she says the move-up was a steep learning curve — everything felt like it was coming up 10 times faster, she explains.

Jaya Mayne and Graf Gerhardt. Photo courtesy of Jaya Mayne.

“However, in doing this level, it really put us on the edge of our seats,” she says. “It forced Gary and I to grow as partners through all the aspects of this sport. I learned, and still am learning, that being a ‘shy’ person is not what is going to get you through this sport. It requires someone to think and ride as the leader. With that being said you have to know when to trust your horse which is very important.”

The pair has had several top finishes at the level, including wins at Copper Meadows last September and Galway Downs earlier this month. Jaya’s goals for 2018 are to successfully compete through the one-star level, earn her C2/HB Pony Club rating, and represent Area VI at NAJYRC this summer.

Jaya says that while Gary is “not the most affectionate horse in the barn, so to speak,” the two of them share a special bond that helps us get through the ups and downs of training: “We are absolute best friends. Everyday he greets me with a big smile in hoping of getting some treats … his big personality and humor around the barn is always something that can brighten your day. It’s hard to explain in words how strong our relationship has become over these past two years.”

Jaya Mayne and Graf Gerhardt. Photo by EK Photography.

 

Jaya describes winning the perpetual trophy as a tremendous honor. “My aspirations are to always be someone like Kris Belford Ferguson because of the amazing things and people she touched with her life,” she says. “I can not thank everyone enough for this amazing opportunity and wish to always be like Mrs. Ferguson in her character in this sport and community.”

Best of luck to Jaya, and many thanks to the eventing community for their dedication to honoring Kris’ memory. Janice says, “This perpetual trophy will be awarded for many years to come, so Kris Belford Ferguson’s spirit will be with us always.”

Friday News & Notes from SmartPak

By on Feb 16, 2018 12:03 am -

My sister’s horse this past weekend in Wellington in her first CDI! Photo by Kate Samuels.

Today is my 30th birthday, which frankly, is a little terrifying. Now I’m supposed to have all my ducks in a row officially, even though I feel more or less the same as I did a year or two ago. I’ll spend it just like I spend all other days, with my ponies and my dogs, and maybe I’ll be lucky enough to enjoy a special delicious dinner at the end. What more could a girl want?

National Holiday: National Almond Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Rocking Horse Winter II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Results]

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Results]

News From Around the Globe:

World Number 1 Kent Farrington suffered a severe injury to his leg yesterday while competing Evergate Stable LLC’s Lucifer in the 1.30-meter jumpers in the Mogavero Ring at the Winter Equestrian Festival. He was immediately transferred to Wellington Regional Medical Center for treatment. [COTH]

In 1925, William DuPont Jr started amassing land in Pennsylvania that amounted to 7,600 acres that would become known as Fair Hill. In 1989, Fair Hill International was born to replace the CCI3* lost from the last Chesterland International Three-Day, headed by a group of top level riders interested in preserving the sport. Mike Tucker was the first course designer, and Derek diGrazia took over 10 years later in 1999. [USEA A-Z: Fair Hill International]

Hot on Horse Nation: #EquestrianProblems According to Twitter

Most of us, at some point in our careers, have to sell one of our horses. If you’re a professional, this is just part of life. There are definitely better and worse ways to complete the objective, and Horsemart gathered info from William Fox Pitt and rising star Caroline Harris on how to best proceed with selling a horse. [Selling A Horse: How to From the Stars]

Thursday Video: ‘Ask a Non-Rider’ by SmartPak, Cross Country Commentary Edition

By on Feb 15, 2018 4:00 pm -

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve decided to get a bit more serious about fitness. Why, I asked myself, do I spend so many hours sweating over the German Princess’ interval training regime, making micro-adjustments to his diet, and organising visits from various (expensive) professionals, when I merrily leave myself a battered, bruised, and usually unwashed afterthought? Perhaps, I thought, there might be some merit to the idea of treating myself like an athlete, too.

So I duly joined the local gym, and hey, it’s nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, I quite look forward to going, which is a strange and concerning feeling. When the opportunity arose to book in an hour of sweaty sadness with a personal trainer, I jumped at the opportunity — no more squats and lunges for me, I was going to learn about strength training!

I explained my goals to the personal trainer — imagine Tom Hardy, but blonde and about 5’3″ — and talked him through the basics of the sport and what I felt I needed help with. Midget Tom Hardy nodded and smiled and agreed in all the right places. I began to feel suspicious. He hadn’t yet told me that riding wasn’t, in fact, a sport. Was he a robot? Had I been lured into a trap? Was I about to be fed to a treadmill?

Nope. It was worse.

“Yeah, mate, I know all about horse riding,” he told me, with all the self-assuredness of someone who does not, in fact, know very much at all about horse riding. “My ex-girlfriend was a very good rider.”

I could almost hear the Jaws theme in the background. I tried my hand at smiling and nodding in the right places. I could feel that I was just sort of wincing at him, but Minuscule Mad Max was on a roll.

“She had a Lipizzaner, yeah?” he expanded. “You know what they are, yeah?”

“Oh. Unusual. Did she do … dressage with it?” I asked, despite the feeling of impending doom.

“Nah, mate. Jumped it, yeah,” said Itsy Bitsy Bronson. “Nearly got to the Olympics with it, actually.”

“Did she, indeed?”

“Yeah. One of the best in the country over 85cm, just couldn’t quite make the grade for the team because it kept bottling it at 90cm.”

Apparently my poker-face isn’t as good as I thought, because Baby Bane then put me through an hour of the most hellish leg workouts I’ve ever experienced. Everything hurts. Please send help.

While temporarily crippled, I’ve been entertaining myself with various other examples of non-horsey people giving the lingo a jolly good go. One of my favourite examples? This little gem from team SmartPak, who wrangled their less equestrian-inclined colleagues to have a go at commentating on a cross-country round, or ‘fun outdoorsy woodland jumping.’ Try force-feeding that one to the IOC.

USEF President, CEO Issue Direct Address on Sexual Abuse and Misconduct

By on Feb 15, 2018 12:30 pm -

Embed from Getty Images

Following a presentation on the SafeSport initiative at last month’s USEF Annual Meeting, the organization released a letter today from President Murray Kessler and CEO Bill Moroney stressing that “the safety and welfare of our members, especially our children, is of paramount importance.”

The U.S. Center for SafeSport was created by the USOC in March 2017 as an independent organization to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct in Olympic National Governing Bodies. Any Olympic sport, equestrian included, falls under the SafeSport umbrella.

In addition to providing training and education, any participant in equestrian sport can report sexual misconduct to SafeSport to be investigated. Read on for the full letter from the USEF, and please share this important information with fellow members of the equestrian community.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department:

Dear US Equestrian Members,

The safety and welfare of our members, especially our children, is of paramount importance to US Equestrian.  This is why we are writing directly to every member and to the parents of our junior members.  We believe it is vital to the sustainability of the sport we love, to deliver Safe Sport information and resources directly to our members.

US Equestrian has partnered with the U.S. Center for Safe Sport and assisted in the development of the policies that support it. This partnership and the Safe Sport Initiative bring you consistent and reliable reporting processes, in addition to resources and support. Not only is reporting the right thing to do, it is critical to creating a safe environment for athletes and members. Sexual and non-sexual misconduct have two distinct reporting processes:

  1. All sexual misconduct should be reported directly to the U.S. Center for Safe Sport by phone 720-524-5640 or online at www.safesport.org
  2. All non-sexual misconduct or violations of the Safe Sport Policy should be reported directly to US Equestrian.  Reports through US Equestrian can be submitted using the USEF Incident Report Form, or by email or phone to Sonja Keating, General Counsel, [email protected], 859-225-2045, Sarah Gilbert, [email protected], 859-225-2022, or Emily Pratt, [email protected], 859-225-6956.

Both the U.S. Center for Safe Sport and US Equestrian will accept anonymous reports, but please note that it can be very difficult to investigate anonymous complaints.

It is essential that all members educate themselves regarding Safe Sport. Not only to understand when and how to report, but also to recognize the signs in order to prevent abuse before it occurs. To further your education and participation in this movement US Equestrian provides numerous Safe Sport Initiative resources on our website at www.usef.org including the following:

  • Safe Sport Training – FREE to everyone! Three modules that take just under ninety minutes to complete initially, with refresher training every two years;
  • A banned list that identifies the person by name and reason for their ban;
  • Coming later this summer, US Equestrian will launch our trainer/instructor/coach directory and registry to help individuals, parents, athletes, and others in our sport find the professionals within our industry who have completed the Safe Sport Training and accreditation;
  • The U.S. Center for Safe Sport has partnered with RAINN to provide a 24-hour victim services hotline, reached at 1.866.200.0796

In addition to the resources offered by the U.S. Center for Safe Sport and US Equestrian, it is extremely important that you are aware of legislation awaiting President Trump’s signature, Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017. It requires amateur sports organizations and its members to report sex-abuse allegations to local or federal law enforcement, or a child-welfare agency designated by the Justice Department within 24 hours. Failure to do so is a crime.

US Equestrian is dedicated to bringing the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible and part of the joy of horses is making sure you have the resources available to assist you in making safe choices.  Please contact our legal department which handles all Safe Sport inquiries at [email protected] should you have any questions or need assistance.

Sincerely,

Murray S. Kessler, President

William J. Moroney, Chief Executive Officer

[Safe Sport – Keeping Our Sport Safe for All]

[Time Is Up: SafeSport Polices Sexual Abuse in Olympic Sports]

Use Your Downtime to Plan — and Not Just Entries!

By on Feb 15, 2018 11:00 am -

Equestrian PR and marketing consultant and small business coach Rhea Freeman is back with her expert advice for riders on managing their own public relations. If you missed them, check out Rhea’s other EN submissions Advice for Equestrian Pros: Why You Need to Become Your Own PR Machine and Well Done on the Sponsorship — But Now the Real Work Starts.

Photo by Shelby Allen.

What do you do between seasons? You give your horses a holiday? Take a little time off yourself? Do your entries for the next season? Do you plan your social media, PR and marketing too? Yes, YOU. The rider. The person who wants to get more owners, more sponsors, more followers and more exposure. You, the rider who is looking to make the next season the best ever. You, the rider who sees the value in working with magazines and websites. I know that during the season you’re mad busy dashing from training to event to home and back again, but that is why NOW is the moment to get planning.

Planning? Do you need to plan? If you want to achieve the above, then yes. And especially if you’re really busy when the season is in full swing and don’t have much time to be creative. Now is the time to create a plan, make those contacts, come up with ideas and work out where you’re going to appear for the next year.

This can start with your own content. Your own blog, video content, or even just social media posts. Of course, a lot of this kind of content needs to be created as it happens, but you might find that you can create some content in advance. What about horse profiles? Your thoughts on events you’re due to attend? Your plans for the season? Training tips that have helped with particular horses? What about getting some nice content in from your sponsors, too? You can get this all written up and scheduled and you’ll know that, even if you do nothing else, you’ll have x number of blogs to release during the season, and can create the imagery to go with these as well. This will help to keep your sponsors happy and increase your visibility online. Big tick.

Want to be featured in magazines? Or online? Research the places you want to be featured and start thinking about what you can add to their platform/pages and how it fits their format. There are LOADS of opportunities online and in print that will allow you to reach a new audience. And a lot of these are completely free.

You won’t need to advertise, but you will need to add value. So take this blog here, for example. Eventing Nation has very kindly accepted it, it’s helping to raise my profile in the eventing world and is has links to my website. BUT I provided something of value (this!) in order to get that exposure. Make a list. Research where you want to be. Come up with ideas that fit the magazine/website’s theme and reach out to them. Yep. Pick up the phone/drop them an email and get planning. Again, you can get things booked and written before the season starts, to release them when time is very tight.

Don’t overlook other opportunities, too – would you like to be on a particular podcast? Get listening and pitch an idea or two. What about asking your sponsors if there’s anything else you can do for them? Any events they’re attending they want you to be at?

A bit of time spent now, when you’re a little quieter than you are mid-season, will pay dividends in the future, when you’re running around, but you’re STILL getting those column inches, blogs and social media content out to keep yourself front and centre in people’s minds.

Read more on Rhea’s blog here. 

Safeguarding Our Sport Against Cyber-Bullying

By on Feb 15, 2018 8:00 am -

The author’s daughter at the Virginia CCI1*. Photo by Cheryl Wolff Sherman.

In a sport with the highest highs and the lowest lows, we come together to cheer one another on, to give support in the difficult times and celebrate our successes. We discuss topics important to us, our horses and our sport, striving to be better horsemen, competitors and people. We make it through rough weather, nonexistent days off, broken bodies and empty wallets. Through it all we are a community, and we are a family, and we are fortunate to be doing what we love. Yet among us there are bullies, striking out while hiding behind their keyboards, attacking the very base of our community.

Cyber bullying has directly affected my family. After writing a congratulatory post on my Facebook wall for my daughter, there was an onslaught of ugliness within the comments. This assault was based on my daughter running two Preliminary competitions in a row. The comments were made from an adult that we hardly know from outside of our program, who in addition to being an inexperienced rider, is a hypocrite as her own coach has done the same thing. Facts were provided, and still the comments continued, disparaging our friends, our trainers and the venues that work so hard for all of us. Making the choice to just move on and let it go, the comments were removed and we turned the focus back to the original intent of the post: to congratulate my daughter on a job well done.

Early the following day, a friend alerted me to a thread that had been started on The Chronicle of the Horse forum by this same individual. The initial post was used to further question and damn our decision and horsemanship. It included screenshots from my Facebook page, including my minor daughter’s name, sarcastically labeled “for your viewing pleasure.” When her comments were not agreed upon in a way that was satisfying to her, she created a second account to try to bolster her opinion. (Note: The Chronicle of the Horse respectfully deleted the thread and banned both accounts, citing they did not support the use of their forum in this manner.)

The obsessiveness to be “right” and vindicated in her opinion was disturbing. Yes, it may not always be ideal to run your horse back-to-back, but they did not know our horse, our program, our trainers or the facts behind this decision to safely prepare this team for a successful first CCI* three weeks later. My daughter was able to push aside the situation and move forward, but what if the negativity had stuck to her when she left the start box? Potential consequences need to be considered when people disparage their fellow riders.

We may all be guilty to some degree, and we need to check ourselves first and be respectful. We must stand up for one another and not accuse someone or attack them in situations wherein we may not know all the facts. There is constructive criticism, but then there is downright bullying and shaming. This goes for juniors, amateurs, professionals, bloggers and spectators alike. We need to question uneducated, irrational responses and not look away. Bullies need to know their behavior is not supported by our community. We can all make such a positive difference doing the right thing — it’s integrity, and it can be very powerful.

The USEF now has a policy in place, Safe Sport, for reporting bullying and harassment, among other forms of physical and emotional misconduct. Learn more here.