by Nancy Jaffer | May 14, 2020
Due to the pandemic (where have you heard that before?) the National Horse Show will implement a 25 percent reduction in the number of points required to qualify for November’s ASPCA Maclay Finals in Lexington, Ky.
National officials will monitor Maclay riders’ progress from June 1-30 and if necessary, adjust the qualifying criteria on July 1. Monitoring will continue and may be further modified during the rest of the qualifying period, depending on the situation in each state as well as other circumstances.
When riders meet their point qualifications, they automatically will be qualified for the finals without having to ride in a regional championship. They will, however, also have the option of riding in one of the regionals if they like.
Riders who do not meet the new point criteria to automatically qualify for the finals but who have earned half of the point qualifications for their respective state will have the opportunity to compete at a regional to gain experience and improve their chances of qualifying. The National Horse Show reserves the right to invite the highest-scoring, non-qualified rider from the regionals to compete in the finals.Due to health concerns, regionals may take place either indoors or outdoors.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 14, 2020
The Lake Placid,N.Y., Horse Show, scheduled for June 23-July 5, has been cancelled for the first time in 51 years.
“We place the safety of our exhibitors, the Lake Placid community and everyone connected with the horse shows above all else and that made this the only decision possible,” said the show’s chairman, Philip Richter..
“This is incredibly disappointing and I assure everyone that this decision was not made lightly,” he said.
“We left no question unasked and no option unexplored. Our Board was unanimous that this was the only option. As tragic as this is, we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Lake Placid in 2021 when we plan to once again host the ‘Best Two Weeks of a Horseman’s Summer.”
Also today, the Boekelo 4-star Long event in the Netherlands, set for October, was called off. The event, which was to mark its 50th anniversary. always attracts a great international field, including many riders from the U.S.
The event explored the idea of having a competition without an audience, but that wasn’t feasible.
“Without the public and the largely lack of financial support, this is impossible to achieve. Moreover, the organization and its partners believe that it is in line with their own responsibility to put the health of society first in these times,” said a statement from the organizers.. The anniversary edition will now take place from October 7-11, 2021.
“Getting society slowly started is now extremely important. That is why we are not going to muddle through, but are postponing it for one year. Then everyone knows where they stand,” the statement added.
Earlier this week, the Brandywine Horse Show slated for the Devon, Pa., showgrounds from June 24-July 5 was scrapped.
“It is clear that the country is still in its recovery phase and it will be too soon to ensure the safety of our staff, participants and the wider community, as well as obtain the proper permitting necessary to hold such an event,” the show’s executive committee stated today.
Any payments that were processed will be completely refunded. Any entries completed online with a credit card submitted for payment will incur no charges. Any checks mailed will be shredded. According to a statement from the show, if you would rather have your entry and check returned, please contact Cindy Bozan at brandywinehorseshows@gmail.com by May 20. Any decision regarding the USEF Junior Hunter National Championships East Coast and any possible new location will be made by U.S. Equestrian.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 11, 2020
The popular series of wine and equine from Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Natural Resource Conservation Service and North Jersey Resource Conseration & Development has gone virtual (like almost everything else…). So you have to supply your own wine. Each webinar has a different URL, which means you must register for each session separately
First up May 18 from 7-8 p.m. is Pasture Renovation, which includes an update on COVID-19 Resources for horse farms and no-till drills and renovation.
Presenters include members of the RCE Animal Ag/Field and Forage Working Group
1. Dr. Carey Williams, Equine Extension Specialist/Professor of Rutgers University
2. Steve Komar, ANR Agent for Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Sussex County
3. Christian Bench, North Jersey RC&D
Register at no charge for this event at: https://go.rutgers.edu/7zoyuovl
The next day in the same time frame,a Pasture Management webinar will deal with weed identification and control, manure management with pastured animals and an outline of the Natural Resource Conservation Service programs for pasture management.
Presenters include members of the RCE Animal Ag/Field and Forage Working Group
1. Bill Bamka, ANR Agent for Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington County
2. Dr. Mike Westendorf, Animal Science Extension Specialist/Professor of Rutgers University
3. Kaitlin Farbotnik, New Jersey NRCS State Agronomist
.Register at no charge for this event at: https://go.rutgers.edu/q5sxwytg
.For questions about the series or for instructions to access Webex email Mike Westendorf at michael.westendorf@rutgers.edu
by Nancy Jaffer | May 11, 2020
If you hoped to ride at the historic Devon, Pa., showgrounds this summer after missing the landmark Devon Horse Show this spring, you’ll be disappointed again. The Brandywine Horse Show slated for the facility from June 24-July 5 has been scrapped for this year.
“It is clear that the country is still in its recovery phase and it will be too soon to ensure the safety of our staff, participants and the wider community, as well as obtain the proper permitting necessary to hold such an event,” the show’s executive committee stated today.
Any payments that were processed will be completely refunded. Any entries completed online with a credit card submitted for payment will incur no charges. Any checks mailed will be shredded. According to a statement from the show, if you would rather have your entry and check returned, please contact Cindy Bozan at brandywinehorseshows@gmail.com by May 20. Any decision regarding the USEF Junior Hunter National Championships East Coast and any possible new location will be made by U.S. Equestrian.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 9, 2020
The New Jersey Equine Artists Association has cancelled its National Juried Exhibit and Sale originally scheduled for June 7-July 5 due to the Covid situation. The show was to be held at Prallsvillemills in Stockton, Information on new dates will be forthcoming. In the meantime, Joanne Farley of NJEAA encourages equine artists to keep working.
NJEAA was founded in 1999 to promote art involving equine subjects and the artists who create the pieces in New Jersey. By providing information, education, networking and additional opportunities for exhibition in the state, the NJEAA strives to serve the equine artist, from beginner to professional..
by Nancy Jaffer | May 7, 2020
Exhibitors, show organizers, officials and basically everyone else involved with horse shows have raised plenty of questions about how things will look when competitions resume. Many of the answers still are to be determined while the Covid situation evolves, but a lot of work is being done at the governance level in an effort to inform the membership as much as possible.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation had its say on the subject earlier this week (https://nancyjaffer.com/things-will-be-different-when-the-shows-come-back/). USEF has issued its action plan and tool kit for the return of showing, along with a mind-boggling, intricate decision tree of how to determine whether to go to a “mass gathering.” One would hope that people who take part in shows are equipped to figure that out for themselves, but USEF wasn’t about to leave any stone unturned.
Two days later, it was time to talk about what’s coming up with the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, the USEF affiliate that oversees hunters, hunt seat and jumping seat equitation, as well as jumpers to Level 4.
A number of items are still under discussion, but there was plenty worth mentioning as USHJA President Mary Babick presided over a webinar that drew approximately 260 people. Here are some of the key takeaways:
- Jogging hunters for soundness will be done only as the horse trots into and out of the ring, rather than being led in after the jumping.
- Paramedics will not be required at Premier shows because these medical workers are busy elsewhere during the pandemic. However, the shows will still have Emergency Medical Technicians.
- USHJA will be offering virtual hunter clinics, with judge Chris Wynne in May and trainer Jeff Cook in June.
- Shows can limit entries on a first-come/first-served basis in order to insure enough room to observe social distancing.
- The USHJA’s foundation has a feed aid program that can help stables having trouble feeding school horses because they have difficult financial circumstances, since many facilities aren’t able to give lessons during lockdowns.
- Green hunter reinstatement will be discussed with the board on Monday. Meanwhile, rider/trainer Robin Rost Brown will be getting opinions about it from riders.
- Someone wondered about the wisdom of renting a hotel room when attending a show. Mary said her barn is going to Saratoga, if Gov. Cuomo lets the show go on, and she is planning to rent a house for her group. That way, they can disinfect it themselves and be sure it is clean.
- There had been suggestions that the indoor shows might move to Florida, enabling distancing in the outdoors. Mary said she had heard rumors about it, but that was all at this point.
- Shows can ask those attending to wear masks, but not require it. No need to wear masks when riding, as you are more than socially distanced, but those who want to will be able to do so.
- The 24-hour rule that horses must be in show stabling before the International Hunter Derbies will not be waived.
- Those who want to compete in the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship and the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship do not have to earn qualifying points; they just have to be enrolled.
- Because shows will need more personnel for sanitizing and enforcing social distancing, Mary expects costs of showing will rise. But she also added, “Don’t make shows police you.”
- If your temperature is greater than 99.9, stay home. Ditto if that applies to a person in your household.
- Expect shows to handle density issues by assigning ride times, the way dressage shows do, so people don’t have to hang around the ingate and schooling area, as well as the rest of the showgrounds.
- To keep tack virus-free, spray it with alcohol after use. It doesn’t harm the tack, Mary said.
- There is nothing in the rulebook that says hunters have to be braided (except side-saddle horses). So shows can have a no-braiding rule for their venue if they feel it is necessary for safety. A USEF presidential modification is in the works so side-saddle horses won’t have to be braided. Meanwhile, there is concern about braiders not being able to earn a living.
- The USHJA’s Emerging Athletes Program schedule is being re-done, with early clinics pushed to later in the year.
- Some people felt there shouldn’t be zone points this year because states are reopening at different rates. An example given was Zone 6, which includes six states, including North and South Dakota, which have had little in the way of Covid cases, to Minnesota, that has more.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 6, 2020
Can’t get out to shop for a horse lover’s Mother’s Day present?
“Nuzzle Up” by Cynthia Sheptow
Teenage dynamo Shya Beth has created an online gallery of some really lovely equine art from around the world. She represents more than 40 artists from not only North America, but also Italy France and the Netherlands.
Featured is artwork for less than $150 (with a few special ones in the mix).. A percentage of the proceeds will go to Mylestone Equine Rescue in Warren County and Shya’s Blue Jean Horse project.
She has been working with UPS so collectors can have shipping costs calculated ahead of time, making it easier to shop. The gallery is at artofthehorsegallery.net. The art is available through Sunday, May 10, in case the date has slipped your mind.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 6, 2020
The eventing portion of the North American Youth Championships in Montana was cancelled last month, and today the dressage and show jumping competitions in Traverse City, Mich., follwed suit to make a clean sweep of the international fixture that has been so important in the development of many young riders.
The decision was made by the U.S. Equestrian Federation, Equestrian Canada and the Mexican Equestrian Federation, with support of the FEI (international equestrian federation).
Although the dressage and jumping was not scheduled until August, it was a victim of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding international travel as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the significant reduction of qualifying opportunities for both dressage and jumping athletes in Canada, Mexico and the United States. It was obvious that horse and athlete combinations would not be able to properly prepare, qualify, or travel effectively for the event.
The Michigan facility will hold other shows this summer, including the American Gold Cup, which previously was offered at Old Salem Farm in New York.
USEF had considered whether to extend the careers of juniors by giving them an extra year because of this lost 2020 show season, so they could participate in age-related competitions such as NAYC if they missed their chance this year..
“USEF was not interested in changing,” said commented U.S. Hunter Jumper Association President Mary Babick, then added, “I would say, `Stay tuned’,” She noted it’s a confusing issue, asking “Where do you stop?” explaining the question comes up about including extensions for pony riders and the younger juniors as well.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 5, 2020
The September Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament–which offers the world’s richest show jumping grand prix–has been cancelled due to the Covid 19 virus. The summer’s other events at the facility in Calgary, Alberta Canada were cancelled previously. The Calgary Stampede, the province’s other big horse-oriented attraction, was scrapped last month.
What’s next to be called off? The North American Fall Indoor Circuit? In the season that is rapidly disappearing, anything is possible. But let’s hope not.
The flagship Spruce Meadows fixture would have celebrated its 45th anniversary, with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on hand among other featured entertainment.
“Spruce Meadows, by way of its insights into recent third-party economic impact studies, fully understands that by canceling its five Spruce Meadows show jumping tournaments, there is a widespread economic impact.
“This is particularly true as it relates to the 560 full time jobs, the $45 million in wages and the nearly $90 million in tourism- related economic activity that are attributed to the Spruce Meadows International Show Jumping season,” noted a statement from the organization.
“During these times of enormous health and economic challenges caused by the pandemic, we all strive to remain positive, engaged and be productive members of our community. Spruce Meadows has always been a place of inclusion, caring and safety.
“In these times of global uncertainty, the health and well-being of our sponsors and their employees (many of whom have been with us for our entire history), our competitors, officials, volunteers, fans, the media, Spruce Meadows’ staff and the community at large continues to be our top priority.”
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.”
