by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 28, 2021
The International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) has taken a formal vote to drop show jumping from its program following the Paris Olympics in 2024, although protests of the move have come from representatives of numerous nations. However, a group called Pentathlon United has been formed to lobby for keeping riding in the Olympic pentathlon at Los Angeles 2028 and beyond, while the issue has been taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport..
Pentathlon received an unwelcome spotlight in Tokyo after a horse refused with a German rider who had been leading the competition to that point. She whipped the horse and burst into tears, a moment memorialized in a photo that made headlines around the world. Her mount was punched by her coach, who was disciplined by being sent home.
In a letter to athletes, the pentathlon union–which feared that the sport would be dropped from the Games by the International Olympic Committee– explained the decision, stating, “We would be making a mistake if we were to take our place in the Olympic programme for granted past Paris 2024. It is not granted for us, it is not granted for anybody.”
The organization’s executive board held a secret meeting in which it was decided to remove horseback riding from the program. Riding’s replacement sport for the 2028 Games had yet to be decided.
But while there were countries that support dropping riding, comments from pentathlon supporters from Poland to Denmark and the Czech Republic to Finland have protested the move.
After word of the decision came, more than 700 pentathletes wrote a letter expressing no confidence in the pentathlon organization’s president and board, asking for their resignations, while at the same time they pressed to keep riding in the pentathlon to save the integrity of the sport.
In a letter to the Polish pentathlon association, athletes and coaches said they understood there needed to be changes and standardization of the rules of holding a riding competition as part of the sport, adapting rules not only to competitors’ skills, but also to the horses’ abilities.
At the same time, “There are many solutions, the introduction of which will make horse riding in a modern pentathlon safer for both parties,” those protesting contended in their letter.
A riding working group had been set up by the international governing body to explore whether the equestrian element should be continued in the format that also includes shooting, running, swimming and fencing, which debuted at the 1912 Olympics. There have been innovations since, including running all the sports in a 90-minute broadcast-friendly format, rather than over a period of days.
Modern pentathlon participants are assigned a horse and have just 20 minutes before competing in the jumping. It’s a big ask for athletes who are not accomplished riders. The five-discipline event began as a military competition, with women taking part for the first time in 2000. It has not been among the more popular events to watch for viewers of the Games, which endangers its continuing inclusion.
According to “Inside the Games,” UIPM vice-president Joël Bouzou claimed the IOC had requested the removal of riding.
IOC member and UIPM first vice-president Juan Antonio Samaranch said there was no demand from the IOC, but that the pentathlon organization had to act proactively to keep the sport in the Games.
“We must rapidly develop a new event – then a chance exists,” he said.
Although modern pentathlon had been called a core sport of the Olympics, meaning it is supposed to have a guaranteed place on the Olympic program, that can change.
Citing such modern sports such as 3×3 basketball, skateboarding and surfing that are more attractive to young people, Samaranch claimed there are “no core sports.”
.Meanwhile, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) called for all equestrian disciplines to be dropped from the Olympics, not just the riding phase of modern pentathlon. The FEI (International Equestrian Federation), which is the governing body for the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and grand prix-level show jumping, does not regulate pentathlon.
“Just as the Olympics evolved to include sports that are of current interest, like skateboarding, surfing, and sport climbing, in a world that increasingly refuses to accept abuse in any form, it’s time to remove sports that are no longer supported by the public,” PETA’s senior vice-president of the equine matters department, Kathy Guillermo, wrote to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
There is no comparison between riding in the pentathlon and the Olympic equestrian sports, which are run at the highest standard of athleticism and care for the horse, most of which have been with their riders for many years.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 26, 2021
He was the ultimate volunteer.
John von Stade, who died yesterday at the age of 83 after a long illness, spent 50 years as co-chair of the Far Hills Race Meeting while it went from being an event that attracted a few thousand spectators to the country’s richest day of steeplechasing, with more than 30,000 attending. He did everything from bedding stalls in the stables to putting up snow fencing at first, and then managing hundreds of volunteers and set the fixture’s course as it grew.
A resident of Peapack and Bernardsville until moving to Maryland six years ago, he was a member of a prominent racing family. His father, F. Skiddy von Stade was a founder of the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., which Mr. von Stade served as president from 1989-2005–longer than anyone else has held that position.
Guy Torsilieri spent 35 years helming the Far Hills Races with Mr. von Stade, who retired from the co-chairmanship in 2014.
“He was an art lover, a historian. He was like an old school guy, but he managed to change with the times. He had an incredible way about him, so gentle and focused. He knew which way things needed to go and should go,” Guy said.
former Far Hills Meeting co-chairman John von Stade, left, presents a trophy in 2010 to race horse owner Morten Buskop with race meeting co-chair Guy Torsilieri. (Photo © 2010 by Nancy Jaffer)
Despite coming from a family that was deeply involved in thoroughbred racing, Mr. von Stade only dabbled in it briefly on a personal basis.
He good-naturedly described his Ivy Creek Stables as “a fantastic disaster.”
“He got into it and quickly got out of it,” Guy related
Mr. von Stade, who previously owned the Essex Gallery of Sport in Far Hills, dedicated his life to philanthropic venues and giving back.
Guy called Mr. von Stade the “fabric and the glue” that held things together between the races and the foundation that donates to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Somerville. It is the home of the Steeplechase Cancer Center and the von Stade lobby, built on $18 million from the races.
Mr. von Stade will be formally remembered on race day next year.
“We will clearly honor him appropriately,” Guy said.
Mr. von Stade is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his son, John von Stade Jr., and three grandchildren, as well as his niece, famed opera singer Frederica von Stade. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 25, 2021
Back to normal, and it feels so good. Seeing the hundreds of people who came out this morning to watch the Essex Foxhounds gather for their annual Thanksgiving meet was quite a contrast to the scene in 2020.
Last year, the front field of the Ellistan estate in Peapack was empty, with a sign on the fence saying spectators would not be allowed because of Covid.
The hunt happened, but it took off unobtrusively from the back of Ellistan and no one was there to cheer on the riders.
The mood in the sunshine today was such a welcome contrast; all smiles, people happy to be out, greeting friends and enjoying the magic of the countryside en masse.
“It’s really nice to be able to gather again,” Karen Murphy, who is the joint master of Essex, told the crowd.
“Thank you so much to all of our landowners for allowing us to celebrate this great sport. We couldn’t do it without you,” added Jazz Merton, the other joint master.
“Saving traditions like this is so much fun and important to all of us.”
The field takes off over the first fence. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“This is a tradition we must continue,” agreed Pia Hamlin, a hairdresser in Peapack, who comes every year.
“We need to be outdoors with friends and family and then go eat a good turkey later on.”
Jack Chesson sports holiday-appropriate headgear. (Photo © 2021 )Nancy Jaffer)
“Todo hermosa, beautiful,” said her friend Guido Enrique, a visitor from South America who was seeing the Thanksgiving meet for the first time.
Pia introduced him to another tradition, the hot toddy, served graciously by the Slack family, Ellistan’s owners, who provide it for those 21 and over. The younger set, on horseback and on foot wasn’t forgotten; they enjoyed hot cocoa.
For those who wanted something more substantial, the occasion offered an opportunity for tailgating, reminiscent of the scene at the Far Hills Race Meeting that was held down the road from Ellistan last month. Indeed, Lexi and Dana Sendro of Pittstown set out a candelabra and tablecloths they used to display at the races for their spread, complete with sparkling wines.
How did it happen that so many people, even those without an equestrian connection, make the meet a must stop on Thanksgiving? It goes back to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who was a member of Essex and often rode with her daughter, Caroline and son John. They always drew a crowd, and even after the family no longer came out on the holiday, people who had learned to enjoy watching horses and hounds continued coming out.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis at Ellistan in the days when she rode with Essex. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
I was reminded of the day I met Mrs. Onassis at the Essex Foxhounds hunter pace in 1984. My editor at The Star-Ledger, where I was the equestrian columnist, read somewhere that the former First Lady would be riding in the pace and wanted a story. I happened to be riding in it as well, so I nervously juggled the two priorities.
Knowing Mrs. Onassis didn’t give interviews, I approached her somewhat hesitantly and told her I was from the newspaper.
“Oh, am I in trouble?” she asked me with a charming smile.
I said no, we were just going to take some photos of her riding. She was very nice about it and we got a lot of good shots of her galloping along with Emil Spadone. I can’t find a copy of the story (I have literally thousands of clippings scattered hither and yon), but I did find a letter she wrote me very graciously after I mailed her the photos taken by the paper’s photographer (Sorry, I don’t remember who it was.)
And as you can see, she wished me a happy Thanksgiving, and I also wish all of my readers the same.
Enjoy some other photos from today.
Huntsman Bart Poole and the hounds. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Essex Joint Master Jazz Merton leads the way. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Essex Joint Master Karen Murphy gives Adeline and Margo Swartz a lift on George Clooney during a break in the action. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Why is this hound wearing a number? In memory of his father, auto racing enthusiast Peter Chesson, James Chesson donated radio collars for the hounds. And 76 was the number of his dad’s race car. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrenc J. Nagy)
The late Lou Piancone always drove a four-in-hand at the Thanksgiving meet. The Johnson family has picked up the tradition with its pair and carriage. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
The Brienza and Juntilla families collaborated on a spread that included the makings for mimosas. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 22, 2021
The Sonoma (Calif.) Horse Park announced it will hold six 2022 hunter/jumper shows from May to September under the auspices of the National Snaffle Bit Association, rather than the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
“Sonoma Horse Park has withdrawn all licenses and applications that have been submitted to the USEF for 2022,” USEF said in a statement today. It added, “Notably, the Split Rock Jumping license for Split Rock Sonoma 9/7/22-9/11/22, is still on the calendar and has not been withdrawn by the licensee.”
USEF had been seeking clarification from Sonoma in respect to USEF-licensed events and pending mileage exemptions at the horse park.
Last week, word from the park was that it would not run USEF shows until that organization’s mileage rule, which currently requires 250 miles between shows in Sonoma’s region, instead permits shows within 50 miles of each other.
The circumstances brought to mind the situation between USEF and the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla., where the facility couldn’t get all the USEF hunter/jumper shows it wanted last winter and went with the NSBA instead. When WEC did get USEF dates for later in the year, it turned them down and signed up with NSBA again instead, a decision that also applied to WEC’s facility in Ohio.
Howard Herman, the Sonoma CEO, stated his case about the mileage situation at a Zoom meeting Nov. 15 that drew approximately 50 riders, owners, trainers and other interested parties.
“We have known about the mileage rule for 30 years, but I didn’t really understand it until I got involved in the process,” he said.
Former Sonoma manager Sally Hudson of Headlands Management, the license holder for a number of the Sonoma shows, took her licenses to Rancho Murieta’s Murieta Equestrian Center, the state’s largest equestrian facility.
Sonoma then applied for USEF show licenses for the same dates as those held by Headlands, as well as a new competition at Sonoma, MGMT Giant Steps Charity Classics, according to USEF.
Murieta is about 100 miles from Sonoma, too close for the park to qualify for its own shows on the same dates as the equestrian center without a mileage exemption. As a result of the applications being for the same dates for both facilities, a mileage conflict was created and the two Sonoma requests would have had to follow the mileage exemption processed contained in Chapter 3 of the USEF Rule Book if the Sonoma had wanted to continue pursuing USEF licensing.
Herman noted it is hard to plan without knowing well in advance which shows USEF will approve.
“Sponsors and vendors want to provide an adequate season,” he commented. Sonoma previously staged the Adequan/USEF Junior National Hunter Championship West and a week of World Championship Hunter Rider competition under USEF auspices.
“At 80 years old, I’ve been given a voice,” the CEO said, explaining he could not live with himself if people in his community were shortchanged because of the mileage situation.
He feels an area that is home to 13 million people should be entitled to more in the way of USEF shows. Herman cited how expensive it is for northern California residents and people from the Pacific Northwest to go to the Thermal circuit in Southern California.The Sonoma Horse Park presents a closer alternative.
With the NSBA shows, “We are committed to offering comparable prize money and special classes as we have in seasons past and a schedule that is consistent with what exhibitors and trainers have come to expect at shows that Sonoma Horse Park provides. We are looking forward to a new circuit, complete with circuit championships and prizes as per Sonoma Horse Park tradition,” stated Sonoma manager Sarah Appel.
A USEF statement released last week noted, “USEF staff held a Zoom meeting with Mr. Herman, Ashley Herman (Herman’s daughter) and Sarah Appel on November 4 to obtain additional information about their (miledate exemption) request. After Mr. Herman discussed multiple competition scenarios, Ms. Appel indicated she would provide USEF with a list of the competitions SHP wished to operate immediately after this meeting.” USEF never received the list from Appel.
The statement continued, “Even though Mr. Herman has publicly stated that SHP (Sonoma) is not interested in holding USEF licensed competitions until the rules governing mileage are changed to meet his needs, USEF has repeatedly communicated with SHP to confirm their interest in moving forward with the two active mileage exemption requests the.”
USEF said the park’s lack of response to USEF inquiries about the licenses impeded the federation’s ability to process the mileage exemption requests.
The USEF added, “The rules governing mileage cannot be amended upon demand of the SHP. Amendments to USEF rules must follow the procedures contained in the USEF Rule Book.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 22, 2021
Olympic dressage team bronze medalist Kasey Perry Glass and her, husband, Dana, welcomed Tru Lynn Glass last week.
Kasey was the second member of the 2017 Rio Games squad to give birth, following teammate Allison Brock earlier this year. Next is up Laura Graves, who announced in August that she and her husband, Curt Maes, are expecting a girl. In case you’re wondering, the fourth member of the team was Steffen Peters, so no pregnancy announcement from him is expected!
On social media, Kasey said of Tru Lynn’s birth, “We had a hard and long delivery process to bring her into this world but Dana Glass and I worked as a team and got it done. Tru is absolutely perfect! We are thanking God every moment for a happy, healthy and beautiful baby girl 6 lbs 10 oz 20 inches long.
:I can’t tell you how amazed I am with how Dana took care of me throughout this process! Not one second did I feel alone or not taken care of. This experience made me love him even more as if that was possible.”
Can you imagine if these three babies grow up to be teammates on the 2044 Olympic squad? It could happen.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 19, 2021
During the Maryland 5-star three-day event last month, word circulated that Lee Carter, the executive director of Equestrian Events Inc., had been named executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park. A TV station had covered the Kentucky Horse Park Commission’s vote on who should fill the post, which has been vacant for more than a year. When the public session ended with Carter winning the tally, the station aired the results. And then, silence.
During yesterday’s meeting of the commission, its chairman, Alston Kerr, said the panel was unable to come to terms with Lee, leaving the position vacant as it has been for more than a year. So the commission will issue another Request for Proposal to find candidates.
Equestrian Events Inc. Executive Director Lee Carter with Land Rover Kentucky winner Oliver Townend. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
“Here we go again,” said Alston. “Let’s see if we can’t get this thing done.
The commission’s next meeting is Jan. 20, and Alston said she has been advised not to discuss details of the matter until the RFP is issued.
Meanwhile, Lee is still in his office at EEI, which presents the park’s biggest attraction, April’s Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, always a selection trial for major championships.
The park not only is home to many other competitions, including the National Horse Show, but it also hosts everything from Equitana to Breyerfest and wide range of equestrian organizations’ headquarters, with the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s among them.
Doug Payne, who wound up as the highest-placed U.S. eventer at last summer’s Tokyo Olympics, was among a group of riders competing for a team spot at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event in April. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Lee said he will continue to pursue the horse park job, “depending on what that looks like. It’s really in their court as to how they move forward.”
For now, he’s focused on the Land Rover event.
“Ticket sales are already ahead of where we expected them to be, which is great. If nothing ever works out for the horse park and me, we’re going to continue to make the three-day event as great as can be.
“I love EEI, I love the event, I love what we’re able to accomplish and we really do try to lift up the sport where we can.”
He went on to explain, “My interest in the horse park is that I see the same opportunities there as I saw with EEI when I stepped into that role. It’s got different challenges, being a state agency, but our inability to agree wasn’t any major differences betwixt me and them. I think it was just there were a couple of things that didn’t line up. I’m born in Kentucky and raised in Kentucky and I want to see good things for Kentucky, and that includes the horse park. We’ll see what their next process looks like and we then go from there.”
The Land Rover event had the distinction of being the country’s only 5-star until Maryland debuted this fall, and the eventing calendar continues to grow.
“I think the state is beginning to realize, `Hey, you’ve got a lot of competition out there now that didn’t exist when the 2010 WEG (World Equestrian Games) was here.’ I think they have a desire to maybe start looking at things differently. We’ll see where the park goes next,” he commented.
Meanwhile, Lee added, “I’m committed to EEI and excited about what we’ve got coming forward. If it makes sense for me to pursue the park again, then we will and if not, maybe I’m just destined to be where I’m at, and that’s not a bad place to be.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 19, 2021
A week after Mark Laskin resigned as Equestrian Canada’s Technical Advisor-Jumping, he has signed on as chef d’equipe of the Mexican show jumping team.
“The combination of his experience, drive and integrity makes Mr. Laskin an ideal fit for our community and for the next stages of growth,” advised a statement from the Mexican Equstrian Federation, which noted he will also act as the main advisor for the Mexican youth teams.
For nine years, Mark had filled his role for Canada after succeeding Terrance “Torchy” Millar. Mark was working without a current contract, despite continuing to fulfill his duties at numerous events including the Tokyo Olympic Games and the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final in Barcelona.
Mark Laskin. (Starting Gate Communications photo)
“I was told during the first week of April that a contract would be forthcoming,” he said.
“Seven months later, the contract promised to me still hasn’t been delivered.”
Equestrian Canada is conducting a review of the Technical Advisor Jumping position led by James Hood, Equestrian Canada’s director of high performance and FEI Relations.
“When I was hired, the Jump Canada Board ran the discipline and EC handled the administration,” said Mark, 64.
“At that time, “Torchy” Millar was the chef d’équipe and I understudied with him for two years as assistant chef d’équipe. We worked so well together that Torchy stayed on for an additional two years before I moved into his role full-time. That was a successful succession plan, developed and managed by Jump Canada.
“I now find myself in a position where James Hood has told me that EC is doing a review of the role and will be compiling a job description and putting it out to tender. Almost as an afterthought, he added that I would be welcome to apply,” continued Mark.
Equestrian Canada stated that after two Olympic cycles, internal stakeholders and funders of the high-performance equestrian system in 2020 recommended during planning for the Tokyo Olympics a review of technical advisor roles.
“Mark Laskin’s contract was in extension, and he agreed to remain in the role during the process and his input and expertise were sought,” according to Equestrian Canada.
“Mr. Laskin resigned from his position prior to the publication of the leadership review postTokyo, the completion of the job description, and the move into the hiring process.”
The job description and skills competency are in final review with a hiring target by Jan. 1.
Mark cited interference from Equestrian Canada’s leadership group as another reason for his resignation, including recently being pressured as to which athletes are selected for Nations’ Cup team competitions.
“The leaders at our national federation need to have understanding and experience with our sport,” Mark stated.
“Unfortunately, Equestrian Canada has had many people in leadership positions that have no background in the equestrian field. That depth of understanding is integral to any future success of the organization. Equestrian Canada’s leadership group are making decisions that aren’t congruent with my philosophy. It is my opinion that the high performance program has been adversely affected and will continue to be in the future with the current leadership group at the helm. Consequently, I felt that I had no choice but to step down.
“I feel very sad to be resigning,” he continued. “The management of an international team is a complex task that requires the full support and understanding of the National Sport Organization, and that has not always been the case recently.”
Mark’s decision was fully supported by the EC High Performance Committee–Jumping, which includes former world champion Gail Greenough, Mike Lawrence, Beth Underhill, and Marni von Schalburg.
“We share Mark’s frustration at the lack of communication and consultation with our committee,” said Mike Lawrence.
“As the people who are ultimately responsible for guiding show jumping at the highest levels, we need to have a say in the high performance program and the process that is followed.”
Mark produced double clear rounds riding Damuraz to lead Canada to the team gold medal at the 1980 Alternate Olympics in Rotterdam. He is a member of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame.
“I am Canadian through and through and have taken great pride in Canada’s success on the world stage,” said Mark.
“I want to thank everyone who has shown their support over the years, especially the riders with whom I’ve developed strong friendships and shared so many incredible memories and successes. I’ll miss them the most.”
which includes acting as chef d’équipe for the Canadian show jumping team at major games and Nations’ Cup team competitions.
He has been in the role for nine years after succeeding Terrance “Torchy” Millar. Mark has been working without a current contract, despite continuing to fulfill his duties at numerous events including the Tokyo Olympic Games and the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final in Barcelona.
Mark Laskin. (Starting Gate Communications photo)
“I was told during the first week of April that a contract would be forthcoming,” he said.
“Seven months later, the contract promised to me still hasn’t been delivered.”
Equestrian Canada is conducting a review of the Technical Advisor Jumping position led by James Hood, Equestrian Canada’s director of high performance and FEI Relations.
“When I was hired, the Jump Canada Board ran the discipline and EC handled the administration,” said Mark, 64.
“At that time, “Torchy” Millar was the chef d’équipe and I understudied with him for two years as assistant chef d’équipe. We worked so well together that Torchy stayed on for an additional two years before I moved into his role full-time. That was a successful succession plan, developed and managed by Jump Canada.
“I now find myself in a position where James Hood has told me that EC is doing a review of the role and will be compiling a job description and putting it out to tender. Almost as an afterthought, he added that I would be welcome to apply,” continued Mark.
Equestrian Canada stated that after two Olympic cycles, internal stakeholders and funders of the high-performance equestrian system in 2020 recommended during planning for the Tokyo Olympics a review of technical advisor roles.
“Mark Laskin’s contract was in extension, and he agreed to remain in the role during the process and his input and expertise were sought,” according to Equestrian Canada.
“Mr. Laskin resigned from his position prior to the publication of the leadership review postTokyo, the completion of the job description, and the move into the hiring process.”
The job description and skills competency are in final review with a hiring target by Jan. 1.
Mark cited interference from Equestrian Canada’s leadership group as another reason for his resignation, including recently being pressured as to which athletes are selected for Nations’ Cup team competitions.
“The leaders at our national federation need to have understanding and experience with our sport,” Mark stated.
“Unfortunately, Equestrian Canada has had many people in leadership positions that have no background in the equestrian field. That depth of understanding is integral to any future success of the organization. Equestrian Canada’s leadership group are making decisions that aren’t congruent with my philosophy. It is my opinion that the high performance program has been adversely affected and will continue to be in the future with the current leadership group at the helm. Consequently, I felt that I had no choice but to step down.
“I feel very sad to be resigning,” he continued. “The management of an international team is a complex task that requires the full support and understanding of the National Sport Organization, and that has not always been the case recently.”
Mark’s decision was fully supported by the EC High Performance Committee–Jumping, which includes former world champion Gail Greenough, Mike Lawrence, Beth Underhill, and Marni von Schalburg.
“We share Mark’s frustration at the lack of communication and consultation with our committee,” said Mike Lawrence.
“As the people who are ultimately responsible for guiding show jumping at the highest levels, we need to have a say in the high performance program and the process that is followed.”
Mark produced double clear rounds riding Damuraz to lead Canada to the team gold medal at the 1980 Alternate Olympics in Rotterdam. He is a member of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame.
“I am Canadian through and through and have taken great pride in Canada’s success on the world stage,” said Mark.
“I want to thank everyone who has shown their support over the years, especially the riders with whom I’ve developed strong friendships and shared so many incredible memories and successes. I’ll miss them the most.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 18, 2021
The Sonoma (Calif.) Horse Park announced yesterday it will hold six 2022 hunter/jumper shows from May to September under the auspices of the National Snaffle Bit Association, rather than the U.S. Equestrian Federation, a move that has USEF seeking further clarification in respect to USEF licensed events and pending mileage exemptions at the horse park.
Last week, word from the park was that it would not run USEF shows until that organization’s mileage rule, which currently requires 250 miles between shows in Sonoma’s region, instead permits shows within 50 miles of each other.
The circumstances brought to mind the situation between USEF and the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla., where the facility couldn’t get all the USEF hunter/jumper shows it wanted last winter and went with the NSBA instead. When WEC did get USEF dates for later in the year, it turned then down and signed up with NSBA again instead, a decision that also applied to WEC’s facility in Ohio.
Howard Herman, the Sonoma CEO, stated his case about the mileage situation at a Zoom meeting last week that drew approximately 50 riders, owners, trainers and other interested parties.
“We have known about the mileage rule for 30 years, but I didn’t really understand it until I got involved in the process,” he said.
Former Sonoma manager Sally Hudson of Headlands Management, the license holder for a number of the Sonoma shows, took her licenses to Rancho Murieta’s Murieta Equestrian Center, the state’s largest equestrian facility.
Sonoma then applied for USEF show licenses for the same dates as those held by Headlands, as well as a new competition at Sonoma, MGMT Giant Steps Charity Classics, according to USEF.
Murieta is about 100 miles from Sonoma, too close for the park to qualify for its own shows on the same dates as the equestrian center without a mileage exemption. As a result of the applications being for the same dates for both facilities, a mileage conflict was created and the two Sonoma requests must follow the mileage exemption processed contained in Chapter 3 of the USEF Rule Book.
Sonoma had three USEF dates, including an exemption for a May show according to Herman,, but he said his decision means giving up those dates because the park needs more than three shows for its circuit. He noted it is hard to plan without knowing well in advance which shows USEF will approve.
“Sponsors and vendors want to provide an adequate season,” he commented. Sonoma previously staged the Adequan/USEF Junior National Hunter Championship West and a week of World Championship Hunter Rider competition under USEF auspices.
“At 80 years old, I’ve been given a voice,” the CEO said, explaining he could not live with himself if people in his community were shortchanged because of the mileage situation.
He feels an area that is home to 13 million people should be entitled to more in the way of USEF shows. Herman cited how expensive it is for northern California residents and people from the Pacific Northwest to go to the Thermal circuit in Southern California.The Sonoma Horse Park presents a closer alternative.
With the NSBA shows, “We are committed to offering comparable prize money and special classes as we have in seasons past and a schedule that is consistent with what exhibitors and trainers have come to expect at shows that Sonoma Horse Park provides. We are looking forward to a new circuit, complete with circuit championships and prizes as per Sonoma Horse Park tradition,” stated Sonoma manager Sarah Appel.
According to USEF, Sonoma is currently licensed for two USEF competitions. Two additional mileage exemption requests have been received by USEF and are being processed in accordance with the applicable rules.
A USEF statement release today noted, “As part of this process, USEF staff held a Zoom meeting with Mr. Herman, Ashley Herman (Herman’s daughter) and Sarah Appel (Sonoma’s manager) on November 4th to obtain additional information about their request. After Mr. Herman discussed multiple competition scenarios, Ms. Appel indicated she would provide USEF with a list of the competitions SHP wished to operate immediately after this meeting. USEF has not received this list from Ms. Appel.”
The statement continued, “Even though Mr. Herman has publicly stated that SHP (Sonoma) is not interested in holding USEF licensed competitions until the rules governing mileage are changed to meet his needs, USEF has repeatedly communicated with SHP to confirm their interest in moving forward with the two active mileage exemption requests. To date, SHP has not responded to the outreach by USEF. The recent actions and misleading statements of SHP, as well as their lack of response to the USEF inquiries are impeding USEF’s ability to process the mileage exemption requests.”
The USEF added, “The rules governing mileage cannot be amended upon demand of the SHP. Amendments to USEF rules must follow the procedures contained in the USEF Rule Book. Unfortunately, it appears the SHP team has not availed themselves of these rules, which are readily available on the USEF website at www.usef.org.”
A call to Sarah Appel for comment was not returned this evening.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 17, 2021
The Sonoma (Calif.) Horse Park will hold its six 2022 hunter/jumper shows from May to September under the auspices of the National Snaffle Bit Association, rather than the U.S. Equestrian Federation, it was announced today.
Last week, word from the park was that it would not run USEF shows until that organization’s mileage rule, which currently requires 250 miles between shows in Sonoma’s region, instead permits shows within 50 miles of each other. The circumstances brought to mind the situation between USEF and the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla., where the facility couldn’t get all the USEF hunter/jumper shows it wanted last winter and went with the NSBA instead. When WEC did get USEF dates for later in the year, it turned then down and signed up with NSBA again instead, a decision that also applied to WEC’s facility in Ohio.
Howard Herman, the Sonoma CEO, stated his case about the mileage situation at a Zoom meeting last week that drew approximately 50 riders, owners, trainers and other interested parties.
“We have known about the mileage rule for 30 years, but I didn’t really understand it until I got involved in the process,” he said.
Former Sonoma manager Sally Hudson, the license holder for a number of the Sonoma shows, took her licenses to Rancho Murieta’s Murieta Equestrian Center, the state’s largest equestrian facility. It is about 100 miles from Sonoma, too close for the park to qualify for its own shows without a mileage exemption.
Sonoma had three USEF dates, including an exemption for a May show, but Herman said his decision means giving up those dates because the park needs more than three shows for its circuit. He noted it is hard to plan without knowing well in advance which shows USEF will approve.
“Sponsors and vendors want to provide an adequate season,” he commented. Sonoma previously staged the Adequan/USEF Junior National Hunter Championship West and a week of World Championship Hunter Rider competition under USEF auspices.
“At 80 years old, I’ve been given a voice,” the CEO said, explaining he could not live with himself if people in his community were shortchanged because of the mileage situation.
He feels an area that is home to 13 million people should be entitled to more in the way of USEF shows. Herman cited how expensive it is for northern California residents and people from the Pacific Northwest to go to the Thermal circuit in Southern California.The Sonoma Horse Park presents a closer alternative.
“We are committed to offering comparable prize money and special classes as we have in seasons past and a schedule that is consistent with what exhibitors and trainers have come to expect at shows that Sonoma Horse Park provides. We are looking forward to a new circuit, complete with circuit championships and prizes as per Sonoma Horse Park tradition,” stated Sonoma manager Sarah Appel.
Asked for comment, a USEF spokesperson said the organization was just made aware of the announcement and did not send a statement today.
by Nancy Jaffer | Nov 17, 2021
Despite the efforts of high-profile athletes to reinstate teams of four with a drop score at the Olympic Games, the FEI (international equestrian federation) voted today at its General Asembly in Antwerp to keep teams of three for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Teams of four will still be standard for championships, finals and other key competitions run under the auspices of the FEI, rather than those of the International Olympic Committee.
There were 70 yes votes for the teams of three, and 30 voting no.
Arguments against the three-member teams, instituted for Tokyo, include horse welfare, putting pressure on riders to continue for the honor of their country even if their horse is struggling. Dressage has operated previously with teams of three, but the nature of that discipline makes it less likely that a team member will have to drop out or get eliminated than is the case in show jumping or eventing.
Several countries, including France and the U.S., argued for teams of four. Botswana, Hong Kong and the 2021 Olympic show jumping team gold medalist nation, Sweden, were in favor of teams of three.
Cutting the number of team members from four to three meant more countries could participate in Tokyo within the parameters set for the number of show jumping slots. The International Olympic Committee wants to see a wide range of countries in each sport at the Games, and the threat of equestrian being dropped from the Olympics is a concern when it comes to FEI policy.
Stephan Ellenbruch of Germany, re-elected chairman of the FEI jumping committee, acknowledged the dissension but asked for unity, comparing it with handling a show jumping course..
“I need you, the athletes…as team members. The course is set, let’s accept the framework we have and make it the best possible format we can do for the job. I’m counting on your advice and…expertise. Let’s jump this course together.”
Next up is the December deadline for all sports to submit their qualification procedures for the Paris Games. That has also been contentious.
To read how Swiss multi-medalist Steve Guerdat argued for four-member teams on Tuesday at the FEI meeting, click on this link.
Will Connell, the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s director of sport, called for longer term thinking on the Olympic formats that goes beyond Paris, to include Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032. “We need to play the long game,” he said.
Meanwhile, Roly Owers, who heads the World Horse Welfare organization, warned those at the meeting that responsible use and care of horses in sport is vital to the continuation of competition against outside forces–some of which even believe that horses should not be ridden. Others contend horse welfare will suffer when horses compete,” he pointed out.
“We must do right by our horses – and be seen to be doing so,” he advised.
FEI President Ingmar de Vos emphasized, “We must continue to educate the non-equestrian community about equestrian sport and our values as there is a lot of misinformation which exists out there and could threaten the integrity of the sport we love.”
Roly discussed a social license under which those involved with horses should operate. (Note on the graphic that license is spelled in the British way.)
The outcry over a pentathlete’s abuse of horse that refused in the jumping phase of that sport at last summer’s Olympics, as well as photos of her coach punching the animal, led the International Modern Pentathlon Union to say it would drop riding as an element of the sport after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
While no one could condone what happened in Tokyo, Roly accused the pentathlon organization of having “an apparent knee-jerk reaction” by dropping riding. He called it the wrong decision. Instead, it could have revised how the segment was run.
The organization has come up with an ethical framework of how to treat horses across the board, not only in sport but in everything from breeding to after-care.
Here is a graphic about the threats to horse keeping in the current environment.
In other business, the FEI officially dropped reining from its list of disciplines. It had been a part of the governing body for two decades, but the FEI and the U.S.-based National Reining Horse Association often clashed on matters that were, as the NRHA put it, “legal, cultural, structural, and financial in nature.”
A memorandum of understanding between the organization that emerged in June seemed to offer a path forward, but NRHA said the advent of a different agreement three months later prompted the NRHA’s decision not to move forward.
It reminded me of the old saying that when two people ride a horse, one person must ride behind, and neither the FEI nor the NRHA wanted to ride behind, so to speak. The FEI statutes state that the FEI “shall be the sole governing body for the FEI Disciplines.” That was not the case with reining.
“We hope that in the future we may be able to work together in some capacity,” NRHA President Rick Clark said.
For its part, the FEI pledged to “support initiatives from National Federations to preserve the FEI reining legacy.”
At the General Assembly, Sven Friesecke of Switzerland, who had been head of the FEI reining committee looked very sad as he told the gathering, “We tried to make it run, and unfortunately we failed. But we have plans…”
The USA’s David O’Connor was re-elected to chair the FEI’s eventing committee. David was the individual Olympic eventing gold medalist in 2000 and the first president of the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
