by Nancy Jaffer | May 4, 2020
The U.S. Eventing Association Cross-Country Safety Subcommittee, formed three years ago, has come out with a series of recommendations aimed at cutting down the number of accidents in the discipline.
“It is not a realistic goal to say there will be zero accidents, a realistic goal is to minimize the risk of the sport. I think it is okay to compete in a high-risk sport and not to be okay with accidents or fatalities as long as you are doing everything you can to minimize risk,” said Jon Holling, who chairs USEA’s cross-country safety subcommittee.
“When an accident happens, you don’t have to completely overhaul everything, but you have to calmly look back at it and say ‘What are the problems and where do we have it right?’”
He added, “The reality is that the officials have been doing a pretty good job, and I think that a lot of what we have been doing has been making things safer. We just need to find where we can do even better.”
The subcommittee has four proposals.
“Not any one of these things is going to fix the problem. In reality, it is a high-risk sport and we are looking at minimizing the risk,” Jon said.
“I think these four things can help minimize that risk – having different layers of safety or regulation helps improve the safety of the sport.”
The first idea is increasing Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER) and rider categorization. After an analysis of recent accidents in the U.S., Jon believes riders should have more of a base of knowledge and ability than what the current MER standards demand.
“We looked at records of very successful upper level riders – Olympic caliber riders – and what we found that in most cases (virtually all of them) did two to three times more than what our minimum requirements are to be able to move a horse up,” said Jon.
“When we looked at that, we said, ‘Maybe we don’t have right what we are requiring for the base of the sport.’ We felt pretty strongly, and the data confirmed, that one way we can increase the skill of riders and the horsemanship and relationship between the horses and the riders is to raise the minimum eligibility requirements. In a nutshell, people will have to do more at a level before they can move up.”
While each national level has a different set of requirements, a good example is the Intermediate level – currently horses are only required to achieve MERs at four Preliminary level horse trials (and one can be with 20 cross-country jumping penalties).
“I had a horse this year entered to move up to Intermediate, and at first, I thought maybe I hadn’t done enough Preliminary horse trials with him, but when I looked, I had done nine and all of them were clear and good,” Jon mentioned.
“It just shows you – as an Advanced Level rider – I am debating moving this young horse up and I have already done over double what was the minimum requirement. Just because you have done the minimum doesn’t mean it is right, but it gives you a baseline idea of what should be done.”
The subcommittee is still working out the final wording of the proposal, which would then need to go forward to the appropriate committees of the USEA, including the Board of Governors before moving to the U.S. Equestrian Federation, but the proposal would also include rider categorization or licensing similar to the FEI (international equestrian federation).
The subcommittee also proposed a rule change to have show jumping rounds at Training Level and above during which five rails or more are knocked down be penalized with compulsory retirement when show jumping precedes cross-country. A similar rule already is in place in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. The subcommittee worked with EquiRatings and the statistical analysis showed that there is a significant correlation for those who had four rails down in show jumping with horse falls on cross-country.
After the 2008 safety crisis, wording was added to the USEF Rules For Eventing under EV112 Dangerous Riding, which allows for the president of the ground jury to designate one or several deputies to spot dangerous riding on cross-country. These deputies can include eventing officials who aren’t at the event in an official capacity, USEA ICP Certified Instructors at Level III or IV, and riders who have represented the U.S. at the Olympics, World Championships or Pan American Games. The deputies are provided with radios and red flags and can stop riders after consulting with the ground jury.
Jon said this rule worked really well for a while, but hasn’t been utilized terribly well recently. The subcommittee voted to send a memo to all officials reminding them to use this tool, especially if there is a certain area they can’t see on cross-country or if they are spread thin with show jumping and dressage going on at the same time.
If officials see dangerous riding, they have the power to penalize riders 25 points, eliminate them or issue a warning card. The rider can also be added to the USEF Watch List.
The fourth initiative is the Frangible Technology Fundraiser launched on March 2 to provide funding directly to organizers to build nearly 500 frangible tables at all USEA recognized events across the country.
“The Frangible Technology Fund is just one piece,” continued Holling. “Having that table be frangible isn’t going to solve the problem by itself, but it will help minimize the risk.”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 4, 2020
Remember when you were having fun at horse shows? It was back in the early days of 2020, a time during which you also could go to the beach, eat in a restaurant with friends and family or get your hair done.
Before the pandemic, showing could be a fun occasion.( Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
That was before Covid-19 (or as I call it, Covid 1984) changed everything, possibly including your employment status or the solvency of your business.
With all U.S. Equestrian Federation-recognized competitions suspended from March 20 through May 31, we wondered impatiently how soon there would be a way back. And finally the good news came today during a USEF webinar, when we got a glimpse of how shows can go forward after June 1–state and local regulations permitting, of course.
“Personal and community responsibility will be the foundation of the new normal,” USEF CEO Bill Moroney advised, saying it’s all about safeguarding each athlete, as well as the horses.
The webinar also featured USEF attorney Sonja Keating; Dr. Mark Hart, the USEF team physician and head of the medical committee for the FEI (international equestrian federation); trainer John Madden and Michael Stone, president of Equestrian Sport Productions, which puts on the Winter Equestrian Festival and a variety of other shows.
Dr. Hart noted this is a “dynamic pandemic,” estimating it will “be here for the next 12-24 months.” But he added that equestrian is inherently safer than some other sports because it doesn’t involve close contact (with the exception of vaulting and para-dressage). It will be up to organizers to assess their competitions and determine whether it is safe to proceed, such as determining whether the number of those at the show won’t adversely impact local medical providers.
He said some localities make wearing a mask mandatory, although without a mask, “if you’re on a horse, you’re in a safe position from a medical point of view.” The physician noted even if masks aren’t required, “wearing a mask is a respectful thing to do.” Some Covid carriers are asymptomatic, he explained, so a mask provides insurance against having them transmit the disease.
How will it be possible to have riders on the podium when social distancing is in effect? Will we see scenes like this again anytime soon? Perhaps champagne is effective against the virus… (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
In order to hold shows, there will have to be restrictions, formulated along guidelines developed by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control. They will bar spectators from sitting and watching. Attendance will be limited to “essential people.” In the case of ESP, Michael said, that is three people per horse in addition to the rider–the trainer, a groom and one more person, who would be a parent or guardian in the case of a minor. ESP will have “social distance officers” to make sure people don’t mingle closely.
“We have one chance to get this right,” said Michael. He warned that if mistakes are made and there is another outbreak, “it will be a long, long summer before we get going again.”
Michael Stone of ESP. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer}
John agreed, commenting. “We have to be really good citizens.” The pandemic is everywhere, “just part of our world.” He pointed out it isn’t like a hurricane or an earthquake, disasters that are more local or regional in scope.
“We have the opportunity to be part of the solution; we’re the front line leaders.” If something goes wrong, John continued, it goes downhill and “we’re where it ends up. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We need to follow what the experts tell us. We’re uniquely suited to do this well.”
Doing it well includes everything from taking the temperatures of volunteers, office workers and staff when they arrive at the show, to buying extra equipment when necessary to minimize the risk of infection. A few things still need to be worked out, including how to have a scribe sit with a dressage judge under the new parameters.
As Sonja pointed out, since there is no way to eliminate all risk, the USEF’s Covid 19 action plan will be “a living document” that changes with conditions. Standard liability waivers will now include a provision about contracting the virus.
USEF is still working out some things in connection with the re-start, including whether age limits for junior riders and green eligibility for horses will be adjusted.
It’s obvious that the financial burden of showing will increase because of all the restrictions and what needs to be done to keep everyone safe; “the cost is going to be borne by everybody,” said Bill. “We’re going to see everyone putting together to maintain equestrian sport in this new environment.”
The Winter Equestrian Festival, which lost its last two weeks of hunter/jumper/equitation showing in March because of the pandemic, is adding a week in January 2021 to make its circuit 13 weeks.
The cancellation “was very hard on all of our stakeholders,” said Michael.
“We are very cognizant of the hardships created by the abbreviated schedule and also keenly aware of the difficulties everyone is facing as the pandemic continues. We wanted to find a way to add value back to our competitors, sponsors, vendors, and VIP table holders and feel that we can best accomplish this by being able to offer more with an additional week on the WEF schedule in 2021.”
Andrew Philbrick had to cancel his April and May shows at Princeton Show Jumping in Skillman, Somerset County, but he’s all set to go in June with two one-day B-rated shows and one four-day show. In July, he has five shows. As the webinar was going on, he sent out an advisory about Covid 19 procedure that follows USEF guidelines. It notes there won’t be a VIP tent, but shade tents and picnic tables will be provided for those who purchase take-out food service or items from the food truck. In addition, it says, “We ask that you not gather anywhere on the show grounds except with people you have been quarantined with.”
Riders may take cellphone photos of the jumper courses, but are asked to move away from the board so others can do the same, instead of standing in front of the board and studying the routes. Andrew is emphasizing that those in attendance be “respectful,” and they have plenty of room to do that on his 100-acre property, especially since entries will be limited.
There’s lots of room for social distancing at Andrew Philbrick’s show facility in Somerset County. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
He notes that in New Jersey, horse shows are accepted by the Department of Agriculture as part of the agriculture business, which means they can run despite restrictions on other businesses. He’s had plenty of big names — Rodrigo Pessoa, McLain Ward and John Madden’s wife, Beezie, take part in his shows in the past. Noting his facility is centrally located, he’s expecting more top riders at a time when people have told him they aren’t interested in competing too far from home because of the pandemic.
Acknowledging there are folks who don’t think horse shows should be held at a time when everyone is concerned about Covid. Andrew expressed concern for those who make the shows run.
Citing farriers, vets, course designers, judges and other officials, grooms, office staff and jump crew, he pointed out, “These aren’t rich people riding around in circles. Horse shows for these people are not a pastime and play toy, it’s essential to their livelihood.”
Added Andrew, although “we lost four horse shows, Princeton Show Jumping can survive that. I’m worried about people who depend on horse shows to survive.”
“You have to be compassionate about these people. This is an industry; there are people who are depending on this industry, and we’ve got to support them.”
He added, “We’re going through a very tough time. I think we can still have real communion with our horses. We can enjoy their training and competitive nature. Community is important, but your relationship with your horse is paramount. If you concentrate on that, you’re going to be rewarded. We’ll survive this and get back to where we were. But in the meantime, how lucky are we that we get to spend time with the horses?”
The webinar will be posted in its entirety on the USEF website at https://www.usef.org/. Information to help cope with Covid is also available on the site.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 30, 2020
We lost the World Cup finals and Kentucky 5-star in April, the Devon Horse Show in May, Aachen in June and of course, the Olympics in July and early August. Will the cancellations due to the pandemic ever end?
Sadly, they continue. Today’s victim is Monmouth at the Team, the innovative August show at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone. Although the fixture that would have marked its 125th anniversary this year is the oldest show in New Jersey, it’s not an AA-rated hunter show or a 4-star jumper competition. In fact, it has four B-rated days, one unrecognized day and Level 3 jumpers.
The Bobcat Derby is always a special feature of Monmouth at the Team. Note the bobcat ears on the rider’s helmet. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
But what has made it so special and popular is its ringside hospitality component, with tables offering a view of the action and the opportunity to share drinks, meals and music with friends.
That is also what has led to its cancellation.
Explaining why he gave notice in April that it won’t be held nearly four months later, Tucker Ericson said he wanted to give notice to vendors, staff and competitors so they could make other plans.
“We didn’t have a choice,” said Tucker about the cancellation of the show he co-owns with his cousin, Michael Dowling.
“Unfortunately, even in August, the virus is going to be around and our horse show is all about the community under that tent together, and at the ingate together,” he continued.
“It would be impossible to put it on. Even if we scrapped all the hospitality and the vendors and tried to do social distancing, it would not be feasible financially because it’s a one-ring show and really we need all that to make it work.”
The view of the ring from tables in the hospitality tent is a key feature of Monmouth at the Team. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Tucker decided to call Claudine Liberatore, who owns more shows in New Jersey than anyone else, and suggest she organize a show elsewhere on Monmouth’s dates, August 10-17.
“August is going to be a great date for somebody to hold a horse show; it just doesn’t work for Monmouth at the Team,” he said.
He told Claudine, “So why don’t you run a show at another facility where several rings make it easier for people to come in and show, social distance and leave. That way,the horse community of New Jersey doesn’t lose shows that week.”
He contacted the U.S. Equestrian Federation, saying he was willing to give up the show and ” ‘would love to offer our dates to Claudine, so that way there’s not a void in the calendar.’ It’s not ideal, but we need to focus on 2021.”
Claudine is awaiting her licenses for two back-to-back National A-rated shows at Duncraven in Titusville, Mercer County on the Monmouth dates. As Tucker pointed out, with enough space, “Being at a horse show, if you’re careful, is not much different than playing golf. It’s an outdoor sport, you can keep people apart. No party, unfortunately.”
USEF is working toward “a safe return to competition” as early as June 1. There will have to be a phased regional approach in line with local and state government restrictions, which vary across the country. The federation is holding a webinar on May 4 at 3 p.m. (which will also be available after it is completed) outlining USEF guidelines for competitions to insure health and safety. These guidelines have been developed by Dr. Mark Hart, USEF’s team physician and chair of the FEI (international equestrian federation) medical committee, with input from competition management. Panelists in addition to Dr. Hart will include USEF CEO Bill Moroney, USEF General Counsel Sonja Keating, Equestrian Sport Productions President Michael Stone, and trainer John Madden.
With a restart still at least a month away, many in the horse show world are finding themselves without a means of support. Monmouth show organizers are suggesting that those who want to make a donation to help others affected by the show cancellations contact the equestrian relief fund and the equestrian aid foundation.
Camp Leaping Horn has been a regular summer outing in Gladstone for side-saddle enthusiasts who want lessons to improve their skills and enjoy the camaraderie with like-minded riders. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
After hearing about Monmouth, we got word of more cancellations. This summer’s Side-Saddle Camp Leaping Horn and the Liberty Side-Saddle show that follows it are not going to be held at the USET Foundation.
“With the number of national and international travelers camp accommodates every year, the spread of COVID 19, and the close quarters of USET, it is just not worth the risk to any of my side-saddle sisters,” stated organizer Jennifer Stevenson.
“Once quarantines and travel bans start to lift, I will be announcing smaller ‘Camps.’ My staff and I are working on new protocol to help everyone have fun and still respect social distancing for when we resume, in an effort to help keep everyone safe.”
She hopes the camp will return to the USET Foundation in 2021.
And also today we had yet another New Jersey cancellation–The Tewksbury barn tour that was to be held in July under the sponsorship of the Tewksbury Trail Association and the Tewksbury Historical Association. It will be organized in 2022 rather than next year, so as not to conflict with Alexandria Township’s 2021 barn tour.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 29, 2020
A man who proved he can find answers for some of the equestrian industry’s most difficult issues has been nominated for the presidency of the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
Approval of Tom O’Mara is expected when the USEF board votes on his nomination June 22-23 at its mid-year meeting, which will be held virtually. Up to 1,000 viewers, including media representatives and federation members, will be invited to tune in.
Tom O’Mara has been nominated for USEF president. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Tom, a former resident of Rumson who now lives in Ocala, Fla., has a reputation as a problem-solver. It was obvious that USEF President Murray Kessler had great confidence in Tom when he appointed him as head of the federation’s Drugs and Medication/Lab Review Task Force after an embarrassing incident that called the operation of the organization’s testing laboratory into question.
Tom oversaw the process that led to resolution of the issue, which involved forging a partnership with the University of Kentucky, helping restore confidence in the drug testing that is an integral part of the federation’s mission.
He also served as co-chair of the National Collegiate Equestrian Association’s national advisory board, of which he was the co-chair and now remains an active member, leading the way in saving the NCAA equestrian college program when it was threatened. In addition, Tom was on the important Competitions Task Force.
After the election, Murray will remain as president until his term ends in January, while Tom will continue in his current post as USEF secretary/treasurer for the same period.
Tom, who worked as an investment banker, has been involved in equestrian sport with his family for decades. His wife, Liz, and their four children, Casey, Abby, Meg, and T.J., have all been riders of some prominence. The Dover Saddlery/USEF Medal Finals were won by Meg (2012) and T.J. (2016), who also took first place in the Platinum Performance/ USEF Talent Search.
Judy Sloan, the 2020 USEF Nominating Committee chairperson, said, “Given Tom’s diverse and deep background in finance, governance, community leadership, and equestrian sport, we feel he is the ideal candidate to guide the Federation’s Board and Management team into the future.”
Murray, who decided not to run for a second term after becoming CEO of a pharmaceutical company, stated “Tom is passionate about equestrian sport, is deeply experienced on USEF committees and the board, has unique experience with intercollegiate equestrian sports, and understands the importance of each of our 29 breeds and disciplines. He also brings real-world business experience to the position, which I found incredibly important over the past four years.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 28, 2020
It will be two strikes and out for the Tokyo Olympics if the continuing COVID-19 crisis means the Games can’t be held in 2021.
Yoshiro Mori, president of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee told Japanese publication Nikkan Sports the Olympics won’t be postponed a second time because of the pandemic.If the disease means it can’t be held in July and August 2021, it would have to be cancelled. It would be the first time that something other than war had cancelled the Games.
Kentaro Iwata, a professor of infectious disease at Kobe University in Japan, said last week he believes it is unlikely the Games will be held, largely because of the control measures that would have to be in place by that time. Other experts have expressed doubt that the Games could be staged safely without development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“In my view, it would be difficult to hold the Olympics unless effective vaccines are developed,” Japan Medical Association President Yoshitake Yokokura told reporters Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.
Last week, a member of the International Olympic Committee said the Games need a rethink if they are going to continue. Read more here
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 27, 2020
“The Games of yesterday will not be the Games of tomorrow,” stated Guy Drut, a member of the International Olympic Committee, calling for them to be reinvented in the wake of the Covid pandemic that postponed the 2020 Games to next year.
Drut, a former French minister of sports who was an Olympic champion at Montreal 1976 in the men’s 110-meter hurdles says the coronavirus crisis is an opportunity for the Olympic movement to look at itself. He has also called on the Paris Olympics 2024 to be reviewed, describing the project as “obsolete, outdated and disconnected from reality.”
He asked, as reported by France Televisions, “Can the response to this crisis translate into the mere postponement of dates, without the model, both economic and organizational, of the Games being also deeply rethought?”
Drut described the cost of the postponement of Tokyo 2020 as “very expensive” with some reports estimating it could be as much as $3 billion, though he insisted those Games must take place.
“The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a celebration, the meeting of a lifetime for athletes of all backgrounds and all nationalities,” said Drut.
“They are sport; a unique moment of universal peace, meetings and respect for others. The Games are useful–even more in times of crisis.”
That is why they must be adapted, “to keep them suitable for the changing world.”
He would like to see the IOC bring together organizing committee for the next Olympic Games through 2028 “to explore new avenues, to think useful, sober, and responsible.”
Drut also suggested that certain sports could take place at the same location wherever an Olympic Games is hosted.
“It is very expensive to build new equipment for an event that lasts only three or four days,” he explained.
“Take the case of surfing. The Olympic site could always be the same and be, for example, in Tahiti or Hawaii.You have to keep the unit of time with the Olympic Games which take place from such date to such date, but the unit of place and action can vary.” Remember how the equestrian portion of the 2008 Olympics was in Hong Kong, while the rest of the Games were in Beijing.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 27, 2020
Three pertinent webinars from eXtensionhorses.org have been archived so you can access them and learn something useful while so much of the horse world is on pause. Carey Williams, a Rutgers University professor and equine extension specialist, has called to our attention that webinars are available on Financial Assistance for Horse Farms, Bio-security and Sanitation for Horse Farms and Fine Tuning Boarding Contracts.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/user/eXHorses to access them.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 26, 2020
Virtual eventing? It’s even got its own T-shirt. These days in the horse world, it seems as if it’s virtual everything.
The USEF’s announcement that recognized competitions won’t run before the end of May is another push for equestrian sport to expand in the virtual universe. It’s not USEF’s fault that shows are on hold during the pandemic, of course; it’s a question in America of state restrictions that come first, but it’s also a worldwide problem. Equestrian organizations around the globe are following suit as even the venerable Aachen, Germany, fixture was called off.
For competition organizers who had hoped to start up in May, however, it’s a blow at the time when the outdoor show season across the country usually is in full swing. But this May, no one will ride under the famous “Where Champions Meet” arch at Devon.
So everyone is going to the internet (as if we don’t spend enough time on line already) to try scratching the horse show itch. USEF presented a virtual event “live”? of the 2012 Rolex Kentucky cross-country Saturday (when it should have been cross-country day for 2020 Land Rover Kentucky). The FEI is making its TV free “while live sport is on hold.” The Global Champions Tour is having a “Stay at Home Special” of replays from last year’s competitions and Tryon International Equestrian Center offered a bracketed social media jump-off tournament powered by votes on Facebook and Instagram.
In Britain, the Royal Windsor Horse Show has gone virtual, while Virtual Eventing is holding, well, a virtual event May 6-10, pre-recorded and live scored. Each rider will be raising money for the National Health Service in the United Kingdom or a charity that will benefit Covid 19 frontline medical staff in their own country.
The riders are videoed at home doing a dressage test, then jump cross-country and stadium without their horses. Those participating include Boyd Martin, William Fox-Pitt and Meg Kepferle.To watch, starting with the trot-up (expect some unusual outfits) go to www.virtualeventing.com.
Let’s hope this is not the wave of the future, but is simply something to fill in the blank until shows start up again, whenever that might be.
Nona Garson and her partner, George D’Ambrosio, are trying to do something virtual that’s more personal for their Garden State Horse Show, which can’t happen as planned at the Ridge at Riverview showgrounds in Asbury, Warren County. It would have been the first time they were to host what was once the largest horse show in New Jersey. But making the best of it, they came up with the Garden State Stay at Home Classic.
George D’Ambrosio and Nona Garson.
The prizelist has separate categories for video and still photo submissions, with classes ranging from Mother’s Day leadline, bareback, and horseless jumping (including poles on the ground). Grand prix classes will be judged on style, speed, agility and efficiency; hunters on performance, soundness and manners; equitation on execution and position. There will also be dog competitions.
How did the couple come up with the concept?
“We were sitting there every day watching what’s happening in the world,” Nona explained.
“It’s so disheartening. We thought it was a way we could interact and have people enjoy the thought of horse showing while they stay safe at home. It’s to give you the feeling that you’re showing without leaving the comfort of your living room.” She added with a chuckle, “There will be no drug testing.”
Nona, an international show jumper who has ridden for the U.S. team and judged intercollegiate shows, will be doing the judging, but has enlisted friends to help judge if the entries are more than she can handle.
“We’re learning as we go here,” said Nona. “I’m not sure what kind of response we’re going to get.”
The idea worked so well with Royal Windsor that it has thousands of virtual entries, so it will be interesting to see if it is as popular on this side of the Atlantic.
For the rules and how to enter, go to http://www.ridgeshowjumping.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Virtual-Show.pdf. The entry deadline is May 2.
All winning entries will be featured on the Ridge’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Ribbons will be mailed for first through fourth-place winners; fifth through eighth will get virtual ribbons. Other prizes include products from sponsors, including leather goods and feed, that will be awarded in some divisions, while champions will receive a coupon for 10 percent off their entries at one future show at the Ridge at Riverview during the 2020 show season. The leading trainer will have a free tack stall at one show at the Ridge at Riverview while the Hunter Derby winner gets 50 percent off one stall and 20 percent off their entries at one show.
Ribbons can’t be presented in person by Nona Garson at the Garden State virtual horse show, but they will get to prize winners by mail.
Garden State was supposed to run April 28-May3, but the Ridge was also scheduled to hold three other shows in May that can’t happen now. The first two June shows are unrecognized, which could offer some leeway if the Governor eases restrictions on what’s happening in New Jersey
Nona believes that there will be no problem holding shows on the Ridge’s 50-acre property while maintaining social distancing, as they did in their final Turf Tour show in Wellington, Fla., during March.
“I spread the schedule out and had people come in small groups all day long and it worked perfectly. There were never more than eight exhibitors and everybody kept their distance. They did their entries electronically so no one had to go in the office.” Classes ran for hours, so people cold schedule when they would come. Riders and trainers were able to walk the course in the middle of the class if they had just arrived on the grounds.
There are plenty of wide open spaces around the Ridge at Riverview.
Asked if she would consider doing the same sort of thing in New Jersey, she said, “100 percent.” She believes at such shows, people barely have to interact in person.
“I think we need to revisit how we do things, but making people stop entirely is not the answer either.”
Tom Struzzieri, the impresario of the HITS show series, already has a plan worked out on how to achieve appropriate social distancing when his competitions start.
Tom Struzzieri of HITS.
HITS has bought the Lamplight property in Illinois, where the USEF’s Dressage Festival of Champions is held. He noted that his previous Chicago-area property, Balmoral, wasn’t popular with exhibitors, who made a plea for him to go to Lamplight.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to reinvent ourselves again in the Midwest,” he said. “We’re going to expand, as we grow into the property, the money we spend” on jumper and hunter prizes.
He’s hoping to start his shows at Lamplight and Saugerties, N.Y., the first week of June if local authorities say he can go.
Meanwhile, Tom and his family are doing what they can to help during this crisis, having given away 5,000 meals last week to people who have been adversely affected by the pandemic situation.
He’s tailoring his shows to the current situation.
“We’re going to do a terrific amount of work for social distancing for everyone at the horse show,” he commented.
That includes modifying the computer program for entries so exhibitors don’t have to spend time in the office. The food service will be set up as a grab-and-go and stabling will be arranged in quadrants so exhibitors are in charge of their own areas. The schedule is still being written, but the idea is to have it organized as show-and-go, with days added to minimize density if the USEF permits. Everything is refundable because the situation is evolving.
It looks like this is going to be the new normal, and who knows for how long. It’s a challenge, but how encouraging to see the equestrian industry is stepping up to find solutions so we can move from the virtual to the real thing.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 25, 2020
It’s not really a surprise.
With so much uncertainty about restarting the economy in the midst of the pandemic, the U.S. Equestrian Federation has extended its previous deadline for resuming competitions, training camps, clinics and other activities from May 3 to May 31.
As USEF CEO Bill Moroney explained the reason for the extension in his memo to members, in several states, “it appears” that restrictions such as the “stay-at-home” orders put in place by Governors are making a difference. While he noted federal, state and local governments are discussing plans for re-opening the environment, it won’t happen overnight.
This would have been cross-country day at the Land Rover Kentucky 5-star, but all we have are memories from last year, like Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg at the Head of the Lake. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
As Bill mentioned, reopening likely will involve a gradual easing of restrictions over several weeks, which may vary greatly state-to-state, as well as within the states themselves. That could result in a staggered regional start-up for competitions.
“The success of these plans is predicated on a mindful and responsible approach to easing restrictions while also maintaining best practices that we have all learned and adopted in order to reduce exposure to and transmission of the COVID-19 virus,” his statement said.
“Once USEF competitions resume, we must all continue to support and maintain these best practices as part of our daily activities to help prevent further disruptions to our lives.”
When the suspension expires, competitions must comply with requirements issued by USEF for operating sport horse competitions in this environment. USEF has been developing competition protocols for safely operating competitions and mitigating the risks associated with COVID-19. Once that is finalized, the protocols will be provided to competition organizers, along with other risk mitigation tools. In addition, all the information will be accessible to everyone on the USEF website.
It was just a year ago tomorrow that we watched Oliver Townend win Land Rover Kentucky. We should be at the Kentucky Horse Park this weekend, but instead, well, you know. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
USEF also has been working on amendments to qualification and selection processes for USEF-owned and named events (such as the Pony Finals) as well as how USEF Horse of the Year awards and ranking lists are calculated. The federation has started announcing modifications that “will make the process as fair as possible for all participants, despite the disruption to the competition year and the likelihood of a staggered regional start-up.”
Granting exemptions to the junior competitor age restrictions, equine age restrictions and equine eligibility restrictions based on competitive experience are under discussion, but USEF states it is still too early to make definitive conclusions on these issues.
Many show organizers had hoped to resume competition during May. Let’s hope they can do it in June. This affects everyone from the grand prix and double A level down the line.
Cathy Brogan, regional supervisor for the New Jersey Region of the U.S. Pony Club, said a dressage show set for May 31 at the Horse Park of New Jersey, cross-country fun day and U.S. Eventing Association horse trials have been called off due to this announcement.
“Everything planned for this year will have to be canceled,” she said, noting this will also include WOW camp for 2020, although she said local Pony Clubs may do something on their own later this year. But even that remains to be seen.
“So 2020 will go down in history as the year that wasn’t–for the horse world–graduations, both high school and colleges–sad, but something we all are stuck with accepting.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 22, 2020
The World Equestrian Festival in Aachen, Germany, has been cancelled, despite initial thoughts of postponing it from its June dates.
But the pandemic dictated otherwise.
“People’s health takes top priority,” said Frank Kemperman, chair of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein.
The announcement came on the heels of word that the Dublin Horse Show in July also has been cancelled.
The Dublin Horse Show is always a landmark of the season and plays to a packed house, with the Nations Cup for the Aga Khan trophy as the highlight.
Aachen, for its part, is considered by many as the world’s greatest horse show, since it offers multiple disciplines.
“This was a very emotional and very difficult decision for us,” stated Michael Mronz, general manager of the Aachener Reitturnier GmbH (ART). According to Mronz, in spite of the fact that the CHIO Aachen is well situated thanks to its reliable partners and the support of its loyal spectators, the situation still presented too big a challenge.
“We will organize a virtual CHIO Aachen 2020,” he said, maintaining it will at least be possible to experience the show’s atmosphere in digital form. More details will be forthcoming over the next few days.
Hmmm. Why do I think it won’t be quite the same as having the 10-day live show, with competition in dressage, jumping, eventing, four-in-hand driving and marvelous exhibitions, as well as 350,000 spectators?
International equestrian events have been staged in Aachen since the 1920s, with the only hiatus coming from 1940-45 during World War II. Showgoers love their Aachen,with many of the ticket holders deciding to forego having their ticket price reimbursed to demonstrate support for the show.
Alternatively, tickets that have been purchased can be converted into tickets for the CHIO Aachen 2021 June 25–-July 4. All information and further options can be found at chioaachen.com/tickets. The CHIO Aachen team will contact all registered ticket customers, but asks everyone to currently refrain from placing telephone inquiries because of the time it will take to set up the technical requirements needed for that purpose.
Also in Germany, the Luhmuhlen, Germany, 5-star three-day event, set for June 18-21, is reviewing its options.Plans call for reopening of some businesses in Germany in the next few weeks, but major events on the order of concerts will be banned until the end of August, another reason for cancelling Aachen.
Meanwhile, Kentaro Iwata, a professor of infectious diseases at Kobe University, said he is “very pessimistic” about the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place next year. Japan Times reported he does not believe the coronavirus pandemic will be under control by next year.
“Holding the Olympics needs two conditions: one, controlling COVID-19 in Japan and (two) controlling COVID-19 everywhere – because you have to invite the athletes and the audience from all over the world,” he said.
“Japan might be able to control this disease by next summer, I wish we could, but I don’t think that would happen everywhere on Earth, so in this regard I’m very pessimistic about holding the Olympics Games next summer,” he said.
