George Morris, the world’s most famous show jumping trainer, is in the process of disputing a lifetime ban by the U.S. Center for SafeSport on charges of violating the SafeSport Code between 1968 and 1972.
Based for years at Hunterdon Inc. in Pittstown, the 81-year-old former technical advisor for the U.S. show jumping team said in a statement today, “I contest these findings wholeheartedly and am in the process of disputing them.”
The decision, relating to charges of “sexual misconduct involving minor” is subject to appeal and not yet final.
Morris, an Olympic silver medalist and popular clinician, is “deeply troubled by the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s findings regarding unsubstantiated charges for events that allegedly occurred between 1968 and 1972.”
Now a Florida resident, he said, “I have devoted my life to equestrian sport and the development of future riders, coaches and Olympians. Any allegations that suggest I have acted in ways that are harmful to any individual, the broader equestrian community, and sport that I love dearly are false and hurtful.”
According to the U.S. Equestrian Federation, “The Center investigated the allegations against Morris, found them credible, issued their ruling, and banned Morris for life. US Equestrian and its affiliates will enforce this ban, which is subject to appeal.” Morris is listed as “permanently ineligible” on SafeSport’s disciplinary database.
The appeal process involves requesting a hearing within five days of the notice of decision. It generally takes 45 days to develop after that. Any hearing would be in front of an independent arbiter.
Morris maintained, “I share our community’s commitment to protecting the safety and wellbeing of all our athletes who need reliable guidance and encouragement at every level, of which I have provided for over 50 years. I will continue, as I always have, to proudly support equestrianism and its continued development around the world.”
Ironically, a memorial service was held today for Rob Gage, the California show jumping trainer and course designer who took his life earlier this year as he awaited an appeal on SafeSport accusations.
The federation noted that since 2013, it “has had policies and procedures in place to protect and educate our members about safe sport. We want every athlete, parent, coach, support staff, and trainer to know, if you are a survivor of abuse or suspect abuse of any kind, there are resources and people to help at usef.org/safesport.”