After a devastating explosion in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday, many of us are left wondering how we can help this city, whose children and families are already facing COVID-19, as well as economic and political crisis. Mellisa Warden, USEF R Event TD and USEF r Event Judge, shared the following message on Facebook yesterday:
“We live in a great disparity. The death toll of the blast in Beirut has risen to ~150 and reports of 200,000-300,000 left homeless amidst a pandemic. Meanwhile, a horse show was cancelled and people are pissed/devastated/heart broken, and many are upset at the time they spent to get qualified. I must be the only person who sees something terribly wrong with this picture.
“As competitors entered, we should all be getting our entries back, except for $25, which means around $700+ back in our pockets. I urge every single person who was scheduled to compete at AEC’s to take a little of the refund you will receive (and for most of us, out of sight, out of mind), and donate it to one of the organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF Lebanon), the Lebanese Children’s Relief Fund, or one of the nonprofits on the ground in Beirut right now. If you don’t want to see your money go overseas, there are plenty of organizations within our country that need your help — just make sure you’re doing due diligence and are aware of how your money is being spent.
“As equestrians, we are PRIVILEGED to ride horses, regardless of how broke we are. We all have a roof over our head tonight, while hundreds of thousands do not. The cancelation of a horse show will not leave us homeless or with significant and potentially life threatening injuries. Meanwhile, there are people who have lost everything and we can do a little part to help. If there were 500 entered at AEC’s (so far) and we all donate $50 to help, that is $25k!
“Alone we are just one, but together we can be real change and help those in need!”
Can you help? Click here for a list of ways to get involved.
National Holiday: National Water Balloon Day🎈
The Summer Event at Woodside: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
IEA Horse Trials: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
GMHA Festival of Eventing HT: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Otter Creek HT: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Fair Hill International HT: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Schedule]
Spring Gulch HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]
WindRidge Farms Summer HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
News & Notes:
We know that the USEA had a difficult decision to make in determining the fate of this year’s AEC. We applaud their decision and the way in which they communicated it, as well as our community’s understanding response. [A Letter From the USEA CEO: AEC Difficult Decisions, Kentucky Horse Park Open for Business]
Check out this link to some interesting research that could apply to cross-country and stadium/show jumping since athletes need to make rapid decisions on visual information, especially when the horse does something unexpected at or near a jump. Many thanks to Lynne Kaye for sharing! [How Vision Training Can Turn Those Ground Balls into Line Drives]
If you are looking to build safe cross-country jumps at home, what are some of the considerations you need to take into account before you actually start building? Tremaine Cooper shares some tips. [Considerations for Building Cross-Country Jumps at Home]
Get to know Whidbey Island Horse Trials! The Oak Harbor, Washington event takes place in early July of each year and offers Beginner Novice through Advanced/Intermediate horse trials. The Whidbey Island Horse Trials lost their venue in 2019 but are working on finalizing a new venue for 2021. [USEA Events A-Z: Whidbey Island Horse Trials
Outdoor shows in Scotland have been given the green light to resume under government guidance, but riders have been urged to work with governing bodies – not against them. [Joy as equestrian competition gets the nod to resume in Scotland]
The US Equestrian Athlete Lettering Program is getting a new look! US Equestrian is excited to unveil a new name and an updated look for its popular student athlete recognition program. [US Equestrian Announces Updated Equestrian Interscholastic Athlete Program for Riders in 5th through 12th Grade]
Just in on Jumper Nation: Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final 2020 in Barcelona Canceled
Hot on Horse Nation: Ecovet Presents Mind Your Melon: Enjoying the Highlands
Video: “It’s a small and complex country with a big heart and some very, very big problems.”
