by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 10, 2021
They cancelled the cancellation!
The Land Rover Kentucky 5-star Three-Day was called off last week because U.S. Equestrian Federation Covid protocols prohibited spectators and the event needed revenue from tickets to proceed. But then a grassroots fundraising effort turned things around and now the highest level of the sport will be held along with a 4-Star Short April 22-25 at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Read all the details and what the people who helped save it have to say about how it happened. You can just click on this link
When it’s on the live stream and broadcast TV, look forward to seeing more moments like these that are highlights of the special event–but probably without any spectators in the frame, unless protocols ease so a limited number of fans can attend. But big crowds will have to wait until 2022.
New Zealand’s Tim Price and Xavier Faire on cross-country. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
U.S. Eventing Performance Director Erik Duvander and rider Boyd Martin are Kentucky regulars. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
There are always hijinks at the first horse inspection. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Sara Gumbiner had a polished outfit that matched her well-behaved Polaris during the first trot-up in front of the ground jury. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Lauren Kieffer and her dog waded through the Head of the Lake in 2019, the last year the event was held. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Michael Jung always drew a crowd during the years he rode at Kentucky. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Remember top hats? This was Britain’s Piggy French in the dressage phase, back when intercontinental travel was taken for granted. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Britain’s Oli Townend was a two-time Kentucky winner on Cooley Master Class. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 2, 2021
(updated Feb. 3, 2021)
With today’s cancellation of the April 5-star Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, it was natural for people to question whether the Jersey Fresh International event will be held 11 days later at the Horse Park of New Jersey.
The answer is yes.
The 4-star Long at Jersey is a qualifier and selection trial for Tokyo Olympic team hopefuls, as is Badminton in Britain running in the same May 5-9 dates. Badminton is happening without spectators, and travel restrictions make it difficult to think of overseas competitors traveling there to participate.
The Kentucky 5-star couldn’t be staged without revenue from ticket sales because it is so expensive to put on a competition at that level, and the U.S. Equestrian Federation has banned spectators from its licensed fixtures in a bid to keep Covid at bay.While the 5-star was a qualifier and selection trial for the Tokyo Olympics, the 4-star Short that is licensed to take place in Kentucky is also eligible to fill those purposes.
Will Connell, director of sport for the USEF, explained “A CCI4*-S can be declared a selection trial under the existing selection procedures. The process of considering and announcing whether this will be a selection trial will start now, as will the process of working with the Kentucky Organizing Committee to see what can replace the CCI5*.”
For more details on the Kentucky situation, click here
Jersey Fresh, with 4-star Long and Short divisions at the top of its offerings, is in a different position from Kentucky. Although the popularity of tailgating around the water complex has grown in recent years, Jersey Fresh doesn’t depend on ticket sales in order to run.
Tailgating on cross-country day has been popular at Jersey Fresh, but it’s still a question as to whether it will be allowed this year. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
“We don’t have to have throngs of people to open our doors,” noted Morgan Rowsell, the cross-country course designer and co-organizer with Jane Cory of the event in Allentown, which also includes a 3-star Long and a 3-star Short.
Current conditions do demand adjustments for competitions.
“We’re all trying to survive in this Covid world; it’s a strange new world,” said Morgan. He promises the Jersey Fresh effort is going full-throttle, noting that several horse trials were run last year at the Horse Park and they went well with everyone’s full cooperation in terms of masks and other Covid protocols.
“We’re looking forward to having the riders and owners come,” he said, adding, “We’ll see about spectators.” That will depend on what USEF and the state permit.
“We’ll have to discuss tailgating, whether that’s an option or not going forward. The sponsors are gung-ho with the understanding that we are in a Covid year. We’ll have to change and be as malleable as we can.”
Morgan also is the course designer and co-organizer of the Essex Horse Trials in Far Hills, set for July 17-18. Like Jersey Fresh, it was cancelled last year in the midst of the pandemic, but for 2021, “We are a go,” said Morgan, who co-chairs the event with Ralph Jones.
In terms of how many will be able to attend the spectator-oriented event, it probably helps that “it’s a little further away,” in the year, as Morgan noted.
The Essex Horse Trials is held at Moorland Farm, home of the Far Hills Race Meeting. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
“If infection rates go down and the state opens up, then we’re all ablazing like we were two years ago,” he said, while cautioning, “It’s still a wait-and-see at the moment.”
Some things may have to be scaled back at Essex, where hospitality has been a big drawing card.
“Everything’s on the table, because we want to make sure we run and serve the riders’ needs,” said Morgan.
On the other hand, “Jersey is more of a competition than spectator-oriented; we’re not spectator-focused. We don’t necessarily get 3,000 or 4,000 local people to come, other than the tailgating, which is 34 spots. Running in Covid actually plays to our strengths, since we are totally driven by attention to owners and riders and their horses. Big events like Kentucky or Fair Hill, have to be spectator-driven to please their sponsors so they can open their doors.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 18, 2021
“We are listening,” was the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s key message during its virtual annual meeting, responding to a perennial complaint from members who feel their views are not considered by what some have seen as a top-down organization.
Hearing the voices of membership and affiliates is a priority for Tom O’Mara, who succeeded Murray Kessler in the USEF presidency as the meeting ended over the weekend.
Meanwhile, USEF is actively soliciting members’ thoughts, including organizing a competition task force to deal with reform of its often-contentious competition licensing process. It’s also putting together a group to handle the issues of restive amateurs who recently have asked for their own “bill of rights.”
“The listening part is obviously critical and I always felt there was the ability to do that, but you’ve got to listen when people say it’s not happening. We have to make sure it’s happening. That’s why we need a concerted effort to listen, learn and lead together,” said Tom, quoting a slogan from the USEF marketing department that lays out the pathway for change.
USEF President Tom O’Mara. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
People can’t always get an immediate response from USEF, as they do on social media, but they shouldn’t feel it’s a lack of transparency, Tom stated. The organization takes note of all input
“Serve the members. That’s our job,” he emphasized.
Tom, the federation’s former treasurer, noted USEF is a “revenue-constrained” organization, so more members would generate more sponsorship, meaning extra support for affiliates and other purposes.
“Great programs take more money,” commented Murray, who donated $50,000 of his own funds as a parting gift for para-equestrian development.
Murray Kessler, former USEF president. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
During the meeting, the board voted $50,000 for an Opportunity Fund. That will go toward new diversity, equity and inclusion grants for organizations offering equestrian outreach to minorities and under-served communities.
“So many people in the U.S. love horses, but the joy of horses doesn’t mean that you have to be a competing equestrian,” said Tom, who sees other possibilities.
“For so long, our association and its predecessors focused on riding, training, competing and showing a horse. That’s our mission, as the National Governing Body, to make sure there’s an opportunity from the grass roots to high performance, and to field U.S. teams.
“We cannot lose focus on that. Sport is the most important thing. However, around that, is our job as an NGB to get everyone to ride a horse…or to watch someone ride a horse?” Tom asked, knowing there’s plenty of potential in the latter.
Retired from an investment banking and business development career, the USEF president is a problem-solver who will devote full time to his new role. That means a lot, since his record includes helping assure that NCAA equestrian would keep going for college riders when it was in danger of being cancelled, and leading the task force that worked out a drug-testing partnership with the University of Kentucky, after USEF’s own testing lab ran into major problems.
When USEF and the lavish new World Equestrian Center in Ocala reached an ugly impasse over show dates, Tom was involved in a thinking-outside-the-box compromise last month that enabled WEC to run under the National Snaffle Bit Association umbrella while avoiding sanctions against FEI riders, owners, horses and officials taking part in the facility’s winter series this year.
Tom O’Mara and Beezie Madden, the 2019 USEF Equestrian of the Year, at the 2020 awards ceremony. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Glad to have WEC throwing a bit of disturbance into the show world,” one person wrote on social media about the drama. But USEF still feels it’s important to have shows that it licenses held at WEC.
“It’s a phenomenal facility,” said Tom.
“We have to work through the process to get there. I think it will be worked out over time.”
In other matters:
- USEF is ramping up its compliance efforts to insure shows meet expected standards. For this year, there is a new compliance director, and goals are to increase visits by those who will grade shows on everything from footing to facilities and developing a scorecard system that can categorize where competitions meet, exceed or fall short of regulations.
- Despite Covid, nearly two-thirds of the horse show calendar was able to run, with 729 license modifications needed to make it happen. USEF officials and staff put in a mighty effort to keep things going during the pandemic once showing began again June 1 after it had stopped for 11 weeks.
- Going forward, the competition task force will be working with a membership survey that drew nearly 4,000 responses (more than half of which were from those involved with hunters and jumpers) on how licensing can be improved for the 2,300 USEF horse shows.
- Suggestions focused on making licensing less restrictive in some ways and more restrictive in others.Members’ ideas also included mileage expiration after a certain number of weeks or years that a show runs, along with lack of compliance to standards as a reason for ending protection. Another idea involves no restrictions for smaller regional shows running against national or premier shows. There is the thought as well that show facilities which are owned or leased long-term by an applicant should have date protection that makes sense for organizers who are investing money into the venues. Another meeting on the subject will be held Jan. 25.
During the USEF’s virtual awards ceremony, show jumper Kent Farrington won the International Equestrian of the Year title. No surprise, as he was the lone nominee. Names of candidates for the William C. Steinkraus Trophy are put forward by each of the Olympic discipline affiliates, but “Kent was the only nomination we received this year,” a USEF spokesperson said.
The announcement of nominees came out Dec. 16, and voting continued through Jan. 2. Liz Halliday-Sharp, the first woman to become U.S. Eventing’s Rider of the Year since 1981, would have seemed a possibility in that discipline. Ditto Boyd Martin, who took the 4-star-Long national championship on Tsetserleg in Tryon, N.C.But as USEA CEO Rob Burk explained,
“Unfortunately, the USEF requires all nominations for the Equestrian of Honor or the Horse of the Year to be submitted by November 9. The USEA Rider of the Year came down to the very last event of the year from a points perspective and our season ends on November 30th. Our season was still quite active as of November. When the USEF reached out to us in October, we were not yet prepared to submit an annual Horse or Rider nomination; however we indicated that we were interested in submitting nominees for those awards once the season was closer to a conclusion.
“Once the Tryon CCI-4*L (November 11-15) was completed, we reached out again to the USEF but they indicated that the nominations were closed at that time. So unfortunately for us, the timing of the USEF award prevented submissions.
Another international discipline, dressage, saw limited FEI competition between March and the end of the season, but Adequan®/USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year Suppenkasper was undefeated in 15 starts this year, under the guidance of Steffen Peters. His final victory came Nov. 22 in the Thermal Desert Dressage CDI3* Grand Prix Special .USDF President Lisa Gorretta said USEF’s timeline on nominations was “earlier than we were prepared for” and therefore no name was submitted.
Said the USEF spokesperson, “We’ve discussed this internally with our team and it is something we plan to address with the affiliates for the 2021 awards nominations process, since it’s the first time we’ve heard that feedback from them. We want as many athletes represented as possible, so we will try to improve this process next year to be sure everyone has enough time to submit nominees, particularly on the international side.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 14, 2021
The Pennsylvania National Horse Show will have a new look for its 75th anniversary this October, and new management to go with it.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, its longtime home, has been through a $21 million re-do, according to the show’s executive director, Susie Webb.
And Pat Boyle is taking over as manager from Peter Doubleday, who is retiring from the show after 45 years, a period during which he also served as an announcer. Peter, whose foundation has contributed $230,000 to the show over the last 18 years, will still be active elsewhere, continuing in management with Devon and the Royal Winter Fair, as well as announcing at a variety of competitions.
The manager of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s successful year-end championship show in Las Vegas, Pat has ties to the Penn National that go beyond his new job. He and his children both rode in the show and he brought students there when he was a trainer.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation has awarded the Pennsylvania National its traditional two featured events for junior riders, the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final and Neue Schule/USEF Junior Jumper National Championships. They will run at the show through 2023.
Until 1966, the Medal was held with the ASPCA Maclay at the National Horse Show in New York, but that year, it made the trip west. It draws the biggest field of any hunt seat equitation championship.The 10-day Penn National had to scale back in the face of Covid last year, when it staged the venerable junior features at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina after the Farm Show Complex was not available due to the pandemic.
The original idea was for all three shows on the U.S. portion of the North American Fall Indoor Circuit to take place in Tampa, but that didn’t work out and the National went to its usual home in Kentucky, while Washington and the Penn National migrated to TIEC.
“It was nice that Tryon was able to allow us to do this; I was determined to make this Medal finals happen and keep our foot in the door. We were persistent and dedicated to make it happen,” Susie explained.
“Things couldn’t have worked out any better in our favor on the day of the Medal finals,” She recalled.
“The kids had to school outside in the rain and come inside, where they actually competed. Everybody said, `We really miss the Farm Show facility. We never thought we’d say that,’” she chuckled..
Susie said she has been told by personnel at the Farm Show venue, “you’re not going to recognize the place” following its re-do.
Having a second competition ring for the first time means the show can add some divisions and raise the number of entries in the divisions.
“We’ve been listening to the people saying, `We don’t have things to do,’” Susie noted.
“We’ve taken into consideration the kids who come for the Medal and the horse puts on on the brakes at the first fence. What can we do to have these kids have a better experience and feel like they accomplished something and not be disappointed when they leave?”
The answer was a chance to compete and practice more, as well as getting into the ring before riding in the Medal.
“We want to make it a better experience for everybody involved,” said Susie.
She noted that for all the bad things about 2020, “it taught us think outside the box. At this time last year,” she pointed out with a chuckle, “the words `social distancing’ weren’t even in our vocabulary.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 13, 2021
There will be a Celebration of Life for trainer/author/clinician Kip Rosenthal on Sunday, January 17 at 5 pm Easter Time via the Zoom link below. Contact Abby Lowe if you would like to speak or share your screen during the service, contact (Abby.R.Lowe@gmail.com). There may be room for additional speakers at the end of the service. Additionally, please send her any photos or videos that you have so they can be added to the slideshow during the service.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89409650378…
Meeting ID: 894 0965 0378
Passcode: Kip
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,89409650378#,,,,,,0#,,174114# US (New York)
+13017158592,,89409650378#,,,,,,0#,,174114# US (Washington D.C)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 894 0965 0378
Passcode: 174114
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdnAmTgBPd
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 9, 2021
The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association’s national championship show has been cancelled for the second time, due to Covid 19, as the organization’s board made the decision to follow the same protocol as in 2020 “with the safety and well-being of the membership in mind,”
IHSA Executive Director Peter Cashman cited the increasing numbers connected with the pandemic, which also led to scrapping the 10,000-member group’s entire post-season, including the Hunt Seat Zone Finals and Western Semi-Finals.
“With the ongoing pandemic and numbers on the rise, the board voted with the safety and well-being of the membership in mind,” said Peter Cashman, IHSA executive director. “We understand how disappointing it is to membership, many who have been unable to compete this academic year.”
The championship show is usually scheduled for early May.
“The board has agonized over this situation that has forced us to decide to cancel the IHSA postseason for the second consecutive year. We look forward with the hopes that the vaccine will prevent the spread and allow the country to relax restrictions and allow the schools to resume competition in the fall,” the executive director said.
IHSA will offer two online horse shows through DigitalHorseShow.com during the spring semester. The Inaugural IHSA Online Horse Show was successfully held during the 2020 fall semester, providing an opportunity for those members and teams who continue to ride and practice to compete across the membership. The spring events will again be open to all IHSA undergraduate and alumni members and will include a horsemanship element. Show dates and prize lists will be available soon.
The board of directors will present a live webinar on the state of the IHSA on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 1, 2021
Eight months after riding lessons ceased at the Somerset County Park Commission’s Lord Stirling Stable, work will begin on planning how to go forward in the wake of its Covid-related shutdown, which resulted in curtailed offerings at the facility even when it finally was able to reopen its doors.
An advisory group has been created “to study and ensure future equine activities and programs at Lord Stirling Stable,” according to a statement from Somerset County and the county Park Commission.
The group “is made up of representatives of stable stakeholders and equine industry experts,” according to the announcement dated Dec. 31 and received on New Year’s Day, but no names of those on the committee have been announced.
The good news is that it indicates the property in Basking Ridge will continue to host equestrian pursuits, something that should reassure its many supporters, who were concerned it might permanently cease operations. The stable had been losing $500,000 a year, even before it shut down in April due to Covid and the school horses were sold. It has since resumed limited operations, but only those boarding horses at the barn can ride there now.
“Lord Stirling Stable is an absolute jewel of the Somerset County park system, and we are committed to maintaining it for the enjoyment of our residents and guests,” said Freeholder Melonie Marano. “I look forward to hearing the results of the stakeholders and experts on the advisory group for a going forward plan rooted in cost efficient, community inclusive programming.”
The first job of the advisory group will be developing a strategic business plan that identifies “necessary and desired programs for the future of the stable and a comprehensive financial road map for the future.”
“How exciting,” said Nancy Brown, president of the Friends of Lord Stirling Stable auxiliary group, on hearing the news today.
“We are pleased Somerset County Park Commission is planning to eventually reopen the stable to the public. We also look forward to having the park open to all Somerset County residents and guests with new programming. FLSS stands ready with volunteers willing to continue supporting the stable and the Park Commission as plans develop.”
Current activities and programs at the Stable will continue as they have throughout 2020, though at the reduced level necessitated by the COVID pandemic and executive orders from the state government. These include the boarding of horses, horse activity including use of the outdoor rings and riding along trails, regular organized dog walks, and more.
“Our goal is for every one of our parks to be a welcoming place for all Somerset County residents and guests to share in the beauty of nature and to have health and educational recreational opportunities,” said Park Commission Director Geoffrey Soriano. “Lord Stirling Stable is a vital component to reaching that goal, and we will work hard with the county to ensure its continued active service.”
Lord Stirling Park, on the western portion of the Great Swamp, has been designated solely for environmental and equestrian activities. The 429-acre former Astor property that forms the foundation of the stable basin was purchased by the Somerset County Park Commission on Dec. 21, 1967 to fulfill the Park Commission Master Plan designating that a riding stable be built in the northern part of Somerset County. Lord Stirling opened in the spring of 1969 with 30 horses.
The facilities on the 450 acres of Lord Stirling Stable consist of the main barn and office building, a viewing area overlooking the 80’ x 240’ indoor ring, a pony party pavilion, maintenance areas, and three outdoor rings — a dressage arena, a round ring and a stadium jumping ring. There are also 14 miles of trails in the fields and woods.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 27, 2020
Catherine (Kitty) Wieschhoff, a well-known judge, barn manager and writer, died yesterday at her home in Midway, Ky. She was 86.
The mother of eventer Cathy Wieschhoff, Kitty was a graduate of Cornell University, where she met her husband, the late Captain Kenneth (Harry) Wieschhoff Sr., PhD.
She earned a British Horse Society Assistant Instructor certification while the family was stationed in Northern Ireland in the late 1960s. Kitty and Harry made England their home for 20 years after his retirement from the U.S, Navy, moving back to the states in 2002.
They lived in Midway, Ky, and Kitty volunteered at the Kentucky Horse Park for many years. She is survived by her children: Ken Wieschhoff; daughter Cathy and her wife Jessica Bollinger and grandson Lucas Bollinger; daughter Christy and her husband Randy Rocca; grandson Nick Rocca and his wife Kim, two great-grandchildren Mack and Charlotte; and granddaughter Katie and her husband David Wilson.
Gifts in Kitty’s memory can be sent to the Midway Presbyterian Church 103 N. Turner St., Midway Ky 40347, or the Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding in England, registered Charity No. 1113636. She will be interred with her husband in Arlington National Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held later this year.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 22, 2020
I have never posted the work of others on my website, but this story from Horsey Hooves about an Appaloosa who lost his eyes is so touching and amazing it just seemed perfect for Christmas. And at this point of a difficult year, we all can use something heartwarming.
Endo jumping. (Photo: Jumpswest.com)
Endo contracted recurrent uveitis, glaucoma and cataracts in one eye, which had to be removed. Months later, the same problem involved his other eye, which also was removed.
Totally blind, he relied on his owner, Morgan Wagner, and the two developed an incredible line of communication that even enables her to send him over a jump, do pole bending and handle trail class-type obstacles.
Here is a link to the article and amazing video about Endo the Blind, as he is called. And if learning about him makes you a fan, here’s his website .
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 14, 2020
Naomi Blumenthal, president of the National Professional Horsemen’s Association and a respected show manager who served as a mentor to many, died today at her home in upstate New York. She was 78.
A paragon of efficiency, running shows with flair and dedication, she also was.national treasurer of the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, Ms. Blumenthal “was a moving force and source for the whole organization,” said Robert Cacchione, the group’s founder.
She managed the New York State Fair’s show in Syracuse for more than 40 years. Its organizers noted, “She was the first name in horse shows in the region and her skills led her to national prominence in her field. She might have been the first in the nation to bring computers into the barns to manage horse shows. Our thoughts are with her family and the scores of horse show riders and fans who benefited from her wisdom and skill as a mentor, teacher and promoter.”
Blumenthal was the mastermind behind the development of the first Apple-compatible show management software. When Apple heard about what she and a developer had built, they flew her to their headquarters to demonstrate their breakthrough software. She managed shows for a plethora of breeds and disciplines.
PHA Vice President Kathy Pinera noted, “She was the glue that held a lot of shows and finals together.”
Her admirers were many, having learned important things from her, whether they involved riding lessons or lessons in life.
“One of the greatest things about Naomi was that whatever crazy thing, good or bad, happened at a horse show, she had probably seen it before,” said Megan MacCallum.
“After more than 40 years on the job, there was not much that could take her by surprise. She had a vast wealth of knowledge, and she was always willing to share it with others. I learned so much from her.
“Whenever people talk about the great horse show in the sky, they usually mention horses or riders or judges. But now the show will have a fantastic manager as well.”
Ms. Blumenthal competed as a junior in hunter, jumper and hunt seat equitation before going on to ride in the amateur-owner hunter and jumper divisions until she became involved with show management. She spent two decades on the Cazenovia College (NY) faculty, where she contributed to development of its equine studies program and coached the riding team. Her student riders included IHSA individual national and reserve champions.
In 1999, IHSA recognized her with its Lifetime Achievement Award for three decades as an IHSA director, zone chair, regional president, membership committee chair and member of IHSA National Championships, rules and finance committees. She also was honored with the PHA’s Frank Hawkins award for her contributions to the sport.
“She helped a lot of people in the horse industry get a leg up,” said Peter Cashman, IHSA executive director.
“People will never know how many she’s helped. She always thought about other people. She was a self-made woman and could be tough but had a soft heart. As a human being, she was tops. She will be thoroughly missed. There will be a void without Naomi Blumenthal.”
Ms. Blumenthal is survived by her daughter, Shari Schneider and her husband, Corey Schneider, as well as three grandchildren.
Donations in her memory may be made to the IHSA’s foundation at https://iefscholarship.org or to the National PHA care of Chris Dwyer, P. O. Box 566, Shenorock, NY 10587
An in-person memorial service will be organized post-Covid. A virtual memorial service will be held Sunday Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Here is the information for those who wish to attend via Zoom or phone:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83598999324?pwd=RWpFeUlNWEEwZGNjSzBBVGJkc1RiUT09
Meeting ID: 835 9899 9324
Passcode: 992515
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,83598999324#,,,,,,0#,,992515# US (New York)
+13017158592,,83598999324#,,,,,,0#,,992515# US (Washington D.C)
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 835 9899 9324
Passcode: 992515
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbux6kP3WR
