After trainer George Morris last week lost a bid in arbitration to reverse his lifetime ban from the U.S. Center for SafeSport, the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association announced yesterday it is removing the trophy bearing his name from the International Hunter Derby.
It’s ironic, since the former U.S. show jumping coach was involved with inception of the hunter derby concept. But as Mary Babick, USHJA president noted, “It is time to step up and no longer tolerate inappropriate behavior and to emerge as a safer and altogether more positive environment for our people and our horses. We should have zero tolerance for cruelty and abuse whether of horses or humans. Victim shaming and blaming is never acceptable.”
Morris, 81, received the ban for “sexual misconduct involving a minor” in the late 1960s or early 1970s.
Babick’s statement continued, “As an organization, the USHJA is committed to safety and fairness for our members. Our sport produces many positives for our participants. Horses bring horsemanship, sportsmanship, empathy and teamwork into our lives. But let’s face it, whether it is the treatment of horses or people, we also have dark corners of the sport. As a sport and a community, we can and should be better.”
She added, “The USHJA supports the mission of SafeSport. Our support does not make us deaf to the questions raised by many members concerning some of the processes utilized by the U.S. Center for SafeSport.”
USHJA also will re-name its Hunterdon Cup equitation competition, since Hunterdon was the name of Morris’ nationally known stable in New Jersey.