Classic Eventing Nation

On Monday, Aug 10th, Iowans from Council Bluffs to Davenport received a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. Not an uncommon occurrence in the state of Iowa, but none of us knew what we were really facing. After weathering the storm for almost two hours, it became clear that this was no thunderstorm. Days later, we discovered that we were hit with what’s called a Derecho, or a “long-lived straight-line windstorm that is part of a line of powerful thunderstorms,” according to The Gazette. Sustained winds of 100+ mph in some areas decimated homes, barns, and crops. Nearly every home in the city of Cedar Rapids has damage of some kind. To learn more about the weather even itself, please see one of the articles posted below.

In addition to the damage to homes and businesses, the equestrian facilities in Central and Eastern Iowa were hit hard. Not only did most facilities have to operate without power for almost a week, meaning no water for most, but the damage to barns and buildings is widespread, extensive and heart-breaking. In addition to building damage, there is other facility damage such as downed trees, broken windows, jump damage, etc. While most barn owners I’ve spoken to are rolling up their sleeves and digging in, long insurance processes and a backup of building crews will keep these facilities from operating as normal for many months. At the time of writing, I had no reports of horse fatality, though I have heard of at least one serious injury.

Kari Washburn’s horse, Twist, was unfortunately hit by a lightning strike during the storm. He was found by the barn owner under a fence, covered in mud and flies. They thought Twist was already gone when he started moving a bit. He was unable to use his legs at all when he finally stood up. Due to downed trees, the local vet had to drive through a field in order to get to the injured horse. According to Washburn, “Twist is improving beautifully. He is very beat up and sore. We won’t know for a while if there will be any permanent damage. But all that matters is that my sweet boy is alive and functioning.” I had the pleasure of watching Washburn and Twist ride in a dressage clinic just a few weeks ago.

Damage at Tamarack Stables.

Tammy Lisi, owner of Tamarack Stables in Mechanicsville, IA, lost most of her property, including extensive damage to her home. Her covered arena collapsed, the dairy stall barn lost its entire hayloft and the storage barn was damaged to the point of levelling. Lisi recounted her experience immediately after the storm: “Came upstairs to the arena not having a roof, and, to my horror, the dairy barn where the horses are, not having a roof. Hay and debris is everywhere. Ran out in the wind and rain. Zeak (my husband’s horse) screams from his stall and I can see his face because the door is missing. He is fine! The chickens are all there and fine. The horses are wet, upset and fine. Then I check the outside horses. They are all fine. Huddling together and scared but fine.”

Damage at Tamarack Stables.

Indoor Arena at Tamarack Stables.

The horses on her property were miraculously unharmed, though Lisi stated her gratitude that the horses were not in the stalls in the covered barn when the storm hit. Lisi’s facility, while small, is one of the premier hosts to dressage shows in our little slice of Eastern Iowa. For years, Tamarack has hosted 3-4 schooling dressage shows in their beautiful outdoor arena. 2019 was the inaugural year for The Tamarack Classic, a recognized show. The 2020 Tamarack Classic was scheduled for August 15th, but had to be cancelled due to the damage. Volunteers have worked tirelessly over the past week to clean up debris and start the process of rebuilding. A Go Fund Me has been set up for Tamarack’s rebuilding process — you can donate here. We look forward to showing there again next year!

Indoor Arena at Northern Lights Stable.

Many boarding and training facilities were also hit. Deb Johnson’s Northern Lights Farm in Mount Vernon, IA, suffered the collapse of their indoor arena, which is less than five years old. Northern Lights has really boomed as a training facility in the last few years, hosting regular clinics with FEI Dressage Trainer Anne Cizaldo. Deb is grateful for property insurance and wanted to stress the importance of proper insurance!

Indoor Arena at Boulder Creek Equestrian Center.

Boulder Creek Equestrian Center in Marion, IA, a multi-discipline boarding and training facility, also had their indoor arena roof collapse, along with losing parts of their stall barn roof.

Field Day Eventing’s indoor arena.

Field Day Eventing’s indoor arena.

Camie Stockhausen’s Field Day eventing facility in Cambridge, IA, was also hit. Her covered arena was damaged, including a collapsed wall and torn cover. Stockhausen is an ICP Certified Eventing Instructor that trains and coaches throughout the Des Moines/Ames area of Iowa. She even recently made the trek to The Event at Rebecca Farms.

Damage at Maffitt Lake Equestrian Center.

Maffitt Lake Equestrian Center in Cummings, IA, had just wrapped up its Two Rivers Summer Festival the day prior. They would have had over 120 horses on the property when the storm hit had the festival still been running. Maffitt Lake runs recognized USHJA, recognized USDF and a strong lineup of schooling shows throughout the year. The facility had damage to temporary stabling and barns throughout the property.

Catalpa Corner Horse Park, former home to the USEA Area IV Event, was lucky to come out with little to no damage to barns or jumps, but has a significant number of trees down and will have to clear the wooded area for the time being of any jumps.

Even the barn I board my own horse at, Oak Meadow Farm in Solon, IA, is dealing with the aftermath. While we were luckier than most, we had a shelter flip onto its top, several large trees down, including a few in our outdoor arena, damaged to fencing throughout the property and had to operate with no electricity or on-property water for almost a full week. Our barn was spared as was our indoor arena.

The majority of the cleanup has come from volunteer efforts, long days of hauling toppled trees, hauling water to horses, cleaning up building damage, etc. Lisi has been appreciative of the help: “The horse community is the best. They showed up and helped us in every way possible. From helping us cancel our USDF/USEF Level 1 dressage show which was supposed to be six days later, to making sure we got a dumpster and scrap metal picked up. They are making sure we have cold water, food, and toilet paper.”

While Iowa is not the epicenter of equestrian sports by a long shot, we have a strong and active group of riders in the area. Dedicated, hard-working, talented athletes that want nothing more than to continue their riding, training and showing. We would appreciate any support, even in the form of good vibes, for our community. Kick on, Iowa.

Information on the Derecho: 

• Washington Post 
• The Gazette
• US News & World Report
• Iowa Derecho Storm Resource Page on Facebook 

Information on Donating:

• Tamarack Stables Go Fund Me
• Families Helping Families of Iowa, Inc: Venmo: @iowaderecho; PayPal: [email protected]
• Greater Cedar Rapids Relief Fund
• Iowa Giving Crew: Venmo — Iowa-GivingCrew; PayPal — [email protected]
• Other Ways to Donate

A memorable moment: The crowd went wild when Allison Springer and Arthur completed their test at Kentucky in 2016. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

We are deeply saddened to learn this morning of the passing of Arthur, the long-time equine partner of Allison Springer‘s, who captured the hearts of eventing fans throughout his 16-year career.

The 21-year-old Irish Sport Horse cross gelding was laid to rest after bout of laminitis, a crippling disease of the hoof whose etiology is not completely understood, but has been the Achilles heel, so to speak, of several great horses including Secretariat and 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro.

Despite being notoriously spooky, a trait which would have perhaps put off other riders, Allison brought Arthur along from a “wild” five-year-old to a world-class athlete. The bond which saw them through over a decade of competition was a partnership in the truest sense of the word and Allison’s love for the tall liver chestnut was palpable to any who was fortunate enough to watch them.

Arthur and Allison first made heads turn with their 8th place finish at Jersey Fresh CCI4*-L  in 2007 and were subsequently named to the USEF Developing Rider List for the first of four times in their career. They completed the Kentucky Three-Day event for the first time in 2008 and would go on to compete in 9 more CCI5*-L events.

Some of their most notable finishes include second place in the Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2012, also earning the title of USEF National CCI5*-L Champion, and a sixth-place finish at Burghley Horse Trials later that year. The pair was also named as an Alternate for Team USA at the World Equestrian Games in 2010, and were shortlisted for the Olympics in 2012.  The pair completed 38 of 44 FEI Events they entered.

Allison Springer and Arthur. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

At 18-years-old, Arthur was diagnosed with a heart condition and was subsequently retired from eventing. The diagnosis came shortly before the Kentucky Three-Day event in 2017 in which he was entered. Instead of competing in the event as originally planned, Allison and Arthur performed their dressage test as an exhibition round which served as an emotional and memorable farewell to competition for the horse. In his retirement, Arthur happily enjoyed teaching some of Allison’s lucky students who rode him in lessons.

In a statement released this morning, Allison said, “Arthur was my best friend and putting what our partnership meant to me into words would be impossible. Over the past 16 years, Arthur taught me many things, and took me many places. He made some of my wildest dreams possible. He always kept me on my toes, and although he was not the easiest horse at times, he taught me what a true partnership should look like. In every one of our moments together, I was always honored to be Arthur’s rider, friend, and person. While I am devastated at losing him so suddenly, a piece of my heart will forever belong to him.”

Allison Springer and Arthur. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Dr. Johns, Arthur’s long-time veterinarian, remarked, “The way Allison and Arthur loved one another is not something that you see every day and extended far beyond their partnership in the ring. It was a privilege to be part of Arthur’s support team for the past fifteen years. He is certainly a horse who made a big impact on many, including myself, and he will be deeply missed.”

Allison said she would like to extend her sincere gratitude to the members of The Arthur Syndicate LLC, and to her parents, for their long and unwavering support. She would also like to recognize his many grooms, vets, farriers and each and every person who made it possible for Arthur to have such a wonderful life and career. Lastly, Allison thanked Arthur’s many fans for always cheering him on. From the gallop lanes in Kentucky to the constant kind messages over the years, Arthur loved every moment of his time in the spotlight.

A few of our favorite photos of the pair from over the years:

The EN team sends our deepest condolences to Allison, her parents, and all of the connections that knew and loved Arthur.

In summer 2020 we launched a 1st Annual $5,000+ Diversity Scholarship with the support of generous donors, inviting minority equestrians to contribute to the discussion of diversity and inclusion in equestrian sport. It is the mission of this annual bursary, which we intend to expand in coming years, to call for, encourage, elevate and give a platform to minority voices in a space where they are underrepresented.

How do we build a more diverse, inclusive and accessible sport? In the coming weeks we will explore this question alongside many of the 27 Scholarship recipients as they share with us their essays in full. Collectively, their perspectives coalesce into a body of work that will no doubt help inform a viable path forward for equestrian sport, and we are committed to connecting their actionable ideas with the public as well as leaders and stakeholders of the sport.

Today we welcome Dana Bivens. More voices: Aki Joy Maruyama | Anastasia Curwood | Caden Barrera | Dawn Edgerton-Cameron | Deonte Sewell | Jordyn Hale | Jen Spencer | Julie Upshur | Leilani Jackson | Madison Buening 

Photo by Brant Gamma.

Like many little girls, I became enamored with horses at a very young age.  Horse crazy doesn’t even begin to describe it.  I dreamed about ponies, and riding, and wide-open spaces, and all of the imagery associated with the equine lifestyle. Riding was foreign to my parents and extended family, but my parents took me for lessons when I was four, and the rest is history.  Twenty-eight years later I still ride and compete.  And for 28 years, I have yet to meet a single equestrian who looks like me.  This is a sobering and isolating truth, which speaks to how homogenous our sport is and how this lack of diversity limits our potential to expand audiences, grow equestrian communities, generate revenue and support, and to make the joys of riding and horses available to everyone.

My experience in the eventing community has been predominantly positive.  Among my equestrian peers, merit is based on talent and hard work, and one is rewarded for the sacrifice put in and the time spent learning to be not only a good rider, but a good horseman or horsewoman.  I am in awe by the dedication and skill of so many of my peers and enjoy the camaraderie and openness that eventing offers, especially compared to some other equestrian sports.

The conversation on diversity within our community has, however, been lacking.  It is an uncomfortable subject, which requires the individual to assess their own privilege, address inherent bias, and to challenge the viewpoints of those who may be held in high regard or who garner respect. The national discourse on this issue has forced us all to take stock of our own positions regarding race, class, and privilege.  The equestrian community is thankfully participating in this conversation and my hope is that we can have an open and honest discussion to learn from our own mistakes, to become more inclusive and, to prioritize equality.  

How can we combat racism within our sport? 

There can be no change in silence and inaction.  The first steps to combating racism are to be mindful and aware of the latent bias we possess, to actively work to change this bias, and to be outspoken when we witness racism within our community.  Racism comes in many forms and prejudice is a learned, and sometimes unconscious, behavior that takes time to unlearn. 

Members of the minority community must also hold others accountable and to be proud of who we are, our personal stories, and our heritage.  This has been an area in which I have struggled in the past and hope to improve in the future.  

For years, I taught lessons and rode horses as my full-time job.  I would travel to local farms and interact with any number of equestrians in the area.  Many of my clients did not share my political beliefs and this led me to implement a policy of neutrality while working.  I felt it was unprofessional to mix business and political or social commentary, and as a result I kept my views private.  Unfortunately, this behavior led me to extend my neutrality to other issues and not to engage in areas where I should have.  

When discussing relationships and dating, one of my clients, who was around my age, told me she could “Never bring a black guy home to her parents.”  I remember pausing, looking at her and asking, “What do you mean? You know I am part African American right?”  Her response was perhaps more stunning, as she stated, “Oh, but you don’t count. You are a credit to your race.” As though my profession or character exonerated me from any associated negativity attached to the African American community.  I should have challenged this thought, but I did not.  I stood dumbfounded, surprised people still thought like this and did nothing to defend my heritage or to combat the racism I had just experienced.

In light of Black Lives Matter (BLM) and other equality movements, I see now that I should have engaged with those who perpetuated stereotypes or blatantly made their beliefs over people of color (POCs) known.  Racism must not be a political issue.  Equality does not depend on your political leanings.  And I should not have been afraid to respond to prejudice.  I confess, however, that at the time I felt impotent and dependent on the business of my clients to continue my career, so I did not engage.  The BLM movement has made this discussion mainstream and has encouraged many to vocalize their experiences and challenges and this has made me realize that it is my responsibility to challenge these stereotypes no matter the venue and no matter the situation. I will defend my right to equality and defend that right for others even if it puts strain on business and personal relationships.  I encourage all members of the minority community, as well as supporters from the majority, to do the same. There can be no change in silence.  Inaction is silence.

Photo by Brant Gamma.

How do we diversify?

I remember times when my father, who is African American, accompanied me to competitions to watch and drive the horse trailer and be a typical horse show dad.  More times than I can remember people asked if he was my groom rather than wondering if we had some other relationship.  Because he was black, my peers assumed he was employed by someone at the show, rather than the father and supporter of an aspiring equestrian.   It dawned on me at a young age that we looked more like the help than the riders, and for years I felt ashamed of my appearance because I did not look like the successful equestrians whom I idolized. 

Inclusion in the equestrian community must come from changing the image of what it means to be an “equestrian.”  Growing up, I did not know a single equestrian who was African American.  No one at the shows or at the barn looked like me.  The resounding image of the successful equestrian is white, affluent, and athletic.  Fortunately, in this sport we enjoy greater equality among the genders, so I did have many female role models to emulate.  But seeing another African American at the top of the leader boards or on the cover of equestrian magazines would help to evolve the image of the successful equestrian to include members of other racial and socioeconomic groups.   

There are many equestrian groups out there who bring horses to urban communities and draw in non-traditional audiences.  We need more of these programs in our community and more support from external donors to make this a reality.  Thank you to those who bring horses to kids who would never have otherwise experienced horseback riding.  And thank you to Eventing Nation for making this scholarship a possibility.  This type of support is key to changing our current trajectory and opening the door for more to join our community.

Self-reflection is key

We all need to recognize how minor things will affect how another views the world.  The insidious nature of small acts and their potential to invite hatred into the world can permanently and profoundly influence the recipient of this distasteful treatment.  The impact of racism and the feeling of hurt and impotence that cruel words can create is second to no other type of cruelty that I have experienced.  It is fundamentally debasing and degrades the victim based on a physical attribute.  Additionally, it places the responsibility of “overcoming” this allegedly negative quality on the victim.  I must prove to you, white person, that I am worthy of your time. 

When I was in college, I dated a man whose parents were openly racist.  When our relationship became public, they told my boyfriend at the time, “We thought we raised you better” and that people of different races shouldn’t reproduce as it was unnatural.  Additionally, when they came for his college graduation, they prevented me from sitting with them in the auditorium, and actively excluded me from conversations and events.  This experience was so unbelievably hurtful that it still brings tears to my eyes.  They did not take the time to get to know who I was but rather made an assumption based on my skin color.  Their actions said the color of my skin made me inferior to them, a lesser person, not worthy of their time nor their attention.  Finally, I felt so powerless to combat this viewpoint, and angry at myself for feeling as though it was my responsibility to change their minds when they were in the wrong.  The most hurtful part of this experience was that when I brought it to the attention of others, they argued that “Some people just think that way.” Unfortunately, this explanation was seen as sufficient for dismissing open hostility toward an entire race of people and that being entitled to one’s opinion justified such blatant acts of hatred.  The lack of support from others during this experience eroded my trust in non-POCs to stand up for what is right in the face of such prejudice.    

Sadly, many of you have felt the profound sting of being judged for a personal characteristic such as your race, gender, religion, or merely your opinions.  To be prejudged and dismissed as inferior for a personal attribute, particularly one that is immutable, is fundamentally debasing and an experience I wish for no one.  This a palpable reminder for why we must take care in what we say and remember that even the smallest words can create undue harm when coming from a place of hate or fear.  Victims of racism or prejudice often view their world through that lens and it taints their relationships and colors their perceptions not only of themselves, but of other groups.  We have the opportunity to create a place of acceptance for many, and I know that this amazing community of riders has the power and the will to do it.  

Let’s move forward together

If we work to change our image and to promote diversity, we will draw more participants into our sport.  This will lead to more students and clients for trainers, more owners who support aspiring riders, and a wider fan base to boost attendance and viewership at equestrian events.  It also means more kids will experience the same joy of riding and benefit from the same opportunities for growth and personal development that changed my life.   I am encouraged by the ongoing efforts to promote diversity in all areas of society. We are all privileged to live through a time of inspiring growth in social and economic opportunity, but we also cannot miss this chance to continually improve the things we love. I love riding, and I would love to share my passion with anyone who will listen. Today, that means reaching a community that we don’t often see around the stable and sparking the same passion and love that inspired each of us to the sport. Find ways to share your love for riding with a broader community and help new faces light up with the joy we all find in the saddle.

Get Involved: Dana ends her essay by issuing a challenge: that we find ways to share our love for riding with a broader community who might not otherwise have access. She talks about equestrian groups who bring horses to urban communities, and note that we need more programs like these and more support from donors. 

There is currently no comprehensive directory available online of urban equestrian outreach programs. Let’s start one, to make these programs more accessible to those who wish to get involved as users, volunteers or donors. Here’s a list of programs that I’m aware of — if you know of others, please let us know in the comments so we can add them. 

Chamounix Equestrian Center Work to Ride Program (Philadelphia, PA) 
Compton Cowboys (Compton, CA) –
Compton Jr. Equestrians (Compton, VA)
Detroit Horse Power (Detroit, MI) 
Dreadhead Cowboy (Chicago, IL)
Ebony Horse Club (London, UK) 
Ebony Horsewomen (Hartford, CT) 
Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club (Philadelphia, PA) 
Leg Up for Cleveland’s Kids (Cleveland, OH) 
Taking the Reins (Los Angeles, CA)
The City Ranch (Baltimore, MD)
The Urban Equestrian Academy (Leicester, UK)
The Westernaires (Jefferson County, CO) 

Could your stable support an outreach effort? This doesn’t have to be a full-fledged riding lesson program — it could be a monthly open barn, wherein you invite community groups to visit and learn about horses, or whatever works for you. Get creative! 

Nation Media wishes to thank Barry and Cyndy Oliff, Katherine Coleman and Hannah Hawkins for their financial support of this Scholarship. We also wish to thank our readers for their support, both of this endeavor and in advance for all the important work still to come.