by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 4, 2025
What a remarkable group! The legends who gathered for the annual Show Jumping Hall of Fame dinner in Wellington, Fla., over the weekend have an incredible list of glittering achievements in the sport.
The Hall at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association Wheeler Museum honors these stars, both human and equine, with more deserving giants of the discipline added every year.
This time it was the turn of Olympic team gold medalist Laura Kraut, who is still going strong at age 57 and competed in the Nations Cup the night before the dinner.
Laura Kraut and Baloutinue. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Buddy Brown’s versatile ride, the late Sandsablaze, was also inducted. A champion equitation horse and hunter before becoming an Olympic show jumper, this thoroughbred showed the ability and mettle of his breed–all too often overlooked today as warmbloods dominate the sport.
Sandsablaze and Buddy Brown (Hall of Fame photo)
Also honored at the dinner was Mario Deslauriers, a former U.S. team member who now rides for Canada. He received the International Award. Pancho Lopez, a great groom and manager who taught many others to excel in those professions, was a member of the 2023 Show Jumping Hall of Fame class. He wasn’t able to attend last year, so he accepted the honor at the dinner for the class of 2024.
Hall of fame members gather for a photo after last weekend’s installation dinner. (Hall of Fame photo)
Can you identify all the people in the photo? In the back row are Pancho Lopez, Norman Dello Doio, Peter Doubleday, Robert Ridland, Linda Allen, Anne Kursinski, David Distler, Michael Matz, Anthony D’Ambrosio, Dr. Dan Marks.
Seated are Margie Engle, Laura Kraut, Katie Monahan Prudent, Mary Mairs Chapot, Melanie Smith Taylor, Jane Clark, Leslie Burr Howard, Beezie Madden.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 4, 2025
In case you hadn’t noticed last year’s FEI World Cup finals in Saudi Arabia, or last month’s Longines League of Nations leg in Abu Dhabi, the Middle East is playing an ever-larger role in high-level non-racing equestrian sport.
Now a 10 million Euro (U.S. $10,541,000) tour, the largest equestrian sporting event in the region, has been announced by the Qatar Equestrian Federation and the Al Shaqab facility. Doha already hosted top show jumping, but this will be the largest equestrian sporting event when its 10 international events run Jan. 1-April 4, 2026.
It starts with the HH The Father Amir Tour, including four new five-star championships over four weeks. That will be followed by: HH The Amir’s Sword Festival, CHI Al Shaqab, Longines Global Champions Tour and Doha Equestrian Tour 2026. Although show jumping is hte focus, plans also call for inclusion of dressage and para-dressage competition.
Bader bin Mohammed al-Darwish, president of the Qatar Equestrian Federation, and vice-chairman of the Organizing Committee for International Equestrian Championships – Qatar 2025, said: “The events (in the new Qatar Equestrian Tour 2026) will make the global equestrian calendar full of competitions that will further enhance the status of Qatar as a sports capital and an ideal destination to host the largest and most important international equestrian tournaments, and a meeting place for the exchange of different cultures for horse lovers and equestrian.”
He added, “We believe that our sports facilities, where the season’s competitions are held, will be the focus of the world’s attention, and will contribute to accelerating and enhancing the growth of equestrian sports at the regional and global levels.”
The ultimate goal?
“We aspire to be the world’s premier destination for equestrian sports, and to continue to provide a role model in hosting major sporting events, especially in the field of equestrianism.”
The organizers are implementing “the highest levels” of security and safety measures in all sports facilities.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 2, 2025
Versatility, commitment and pure ability all have served jumper rider Skylar Wireman well, but that combination of assets was never better illustrated than by her achievements during February.
Still eligible for Under 25 classes, the young professional made her U.S. international senior team debut against the exotic backdrop of Abu Dhabi, where coach Robert Ridland rode a camel in the parade of participating countries at the Longines League of Nations’ 2025 opener. With only a single rail down there, Skylar –the youngest rider in the entire competition — proved she belonged in the heady company of top international team competition.
Then, as the month ended, the 20-year-old switched gears to focus on style while taking the $100,000 Pro Equitation Challenge on home turf in California at the Desert International Horse Park. Its catch riding test played to her strengths and secured the victory.
Schuyler Wireman on her way to winning the $100,000 Pro Equitation Challenge (High Desert Sport Photo)
It was only a little less than one year ago that Skylar had her introduction to a major championship at the FEI Show Jumping World Cup Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“It was my first FEI show out of the country; my first show internationally was the World Cup Finals,” she reflected, still seeming to be a bit amazed.
“It was a great takeaway, being able to watch so many of the top 10 in the world.”
In an imposing, unfamiliar setting, she was clean and fast with her 10-year-old Tornado (Diarado X Chacco Blue) to finish tenth in the first round and earn the admiration of other countries’ chefs d’equipe. In the second round over bigger fences, however, lack of mileage for horse and rider showed. With four rails down in that leg, Skylar wisely decided not to contest the even more difficult third phase.
As she explained at the time, “Tornado is inexperienced at this level and having studied our round on Thursday and talked extensively to my coach and many others whose opinions and experience I have high regard for, I will not risk his welfare or his future in the sport by asking Tornado to jump a course he might not be quite ready for.”
Smart. That’s Skylar.
The experience overall benefited Skylar and her mount, however.
“I came home with an even better horse than I went with. He really learned a lot there, as much as I did. It was a huge growing week for us.”
They proved that by jumping four clear rounds in a row at Thunderbird in British Columbia upon their return.
She noted that before Riyadh, “if he was impressed, he’d kind of hurl himself over the jumps, rather than opening up and following through behind.”
He finally figured it out over the big fences in Saudi Arabia.
When they came home, “he had a whole new hind end. He found the shape of his body and a true correct bascule over the jumps,” said Skylar.
She has always had to work for what she got. Her mother, Shayne Berridge-Wireman, acts as both her trainer and her groom when necessary, and together they make things happen from their base in San Diego County, Calif. Being women going to the Middle East last year for the first time may have seemed a bit intimidating at first, but as Shayne noted, everyone was very nice and they felt welcome. In Abu Dhabi, where the hotel staff was the friendliest they had ever encountered, the U.S. group even visited a mosque.
The team visits a mosque in Abu Dhabi. Skylar Wireman is fifth from the right. (Photo courtesy Lizzy Chesson)
“We were more comfortable coming to the Middle East because we had done it once. We knew what to expect and how it works, so it was a lot less stressful in the preparation,” Shayne said.
Skylar’s work ethic has made her a standout, and she caught the eye of Olympic team gold medalist Peter Wylde during the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Emerging Athletes Program finals when he was 14 in 2019.
“She had really good instincts as a rider,” recalled Peter, noting Skylar had also impressed in the stable management portion of the competition.
It can be hard to evaluate someone in the EAP, because they are on borrowed horses, some of which are easy and some of which aren’t, he commented.
But “every time there was a problem situation, Skylar’s reactions were correct,” he said.
“She had the most appropriate instinct of what to do when it wasn’t going the right way. As an athlete, she has incredible body control,” he continued, noting she had also been a gymnast.
She didn’t win the final, because of a mistake in the last line of the ride-off, but her talent had made its mark with him.
Skylar and her mother had asked after EAP if Peter could work with them, but at the time, he was too busy. And then Covid hit. With everything shut down, he had the time to give Skylar.
Skylar and her mother Shayne Berridge-Wireman with Coolio 23. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Peter invited the Wiremans to his base in Wellington, Fla., where they stayed in his guest house. He was sharing a stable with international show jumper Lauren Hough, who let Skylar ride one of her jumpers in addition to a hunter being trained by Peter. Mark Phillips, the former U.S. eventing chef d’equipe, was also on the scene and gave Skylar flat lessons.
“Everybody’s like, `This kid is really good.’ It cemented in my mind that she was as talented as I thought she was when I saw her at the EAP,” Peter said.
She’s been busy accumulating honors. Skylar was the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Junior Rider of the year and topped the 2020 Platinum Performance/ USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West at age 15.
While she didn’t win one of the major indoor finals, finishing second in the Medal and the Washington after working with Andre Dignelli, Peter noted that McLain Ward and Beezie Madden went up to Skylar and said, “Don’t worry. We didn’t win a finals either.”
Explaining his involvement, Peter said, “I feel like she’s exceptionally talented. They have a very low budget and I know it’s going to get better at some point and they already have gotten some money behind them. Skylar works as hard as anybody to get where she’s gotten so far.”
She and her mother make their budget work by pitching in with their own braiding, transport, grooming and stall cleaning . The budget also determines their choice of shows.
“We have to go where she has a shot of paying back the entries,” said Shayne, explaining their financial strategy.
In the spring of 2023, Skylar took over the ride on Tornado, known as Tomato around the barn. He was going to be a jumper for top hunter competitor Nick Haness, but he gave Skylar the ride after breaking his wrist.
She had success with Tornado in the jumpers, despite being sidelined for six weeks with a lacerated liver she suffered when another horse stepped on her after a fall. Nick enabled her to keep Tornado until November of that year, when a group of friends and family were able to purchase the Swedish warmblood for her at the 2023 Las Vegas National on the Thursday, just before she rode in the World Cup qualifier two days later. She was eighth there and then went on to the Cup qualifier in Fort Worth, Texas, where she won and earned points to qualify for Riyadh. Skylar is also hoping to make the cut for this year’s Cup finals in Switzerland next month.
What makes her so good?
“She consistently sees the confident forward distance and is able to get the horse to that distance,” said Peter, who doesn’t charge fo his work with her.
“I call it pro bono,” he said.
“He’s so easy to work with,” said Shayne, noting that even though she is her daughter’s trainer, she defers to Peter “because he knows so much more than me.”
For her part, Skylar commented, “to have someone with such knowledge and expertise helping me is really amazing, and for him to do it all because he wants to.”
From Peter she has learned, “finesse and (that) small things can really make a big difference.” He has also mapped out a show schedule that enables her horses to be at their peak when it really counts.
And he introduced her to Boyd Martin, the Olympic eventer he helps, who aided her in getting a Purina sponsorship. She is also grateful for help from Mary Jo and Todd Kaplan, who own one of her horses, Karen.
Looking back on Abu Dhabi, Skylar mentioned the special dynamics of an all-female team, and noted they did some fun things, such as camel riding and falconry on a desert adventure tour.
Skylar and Tornado in Abu Dhabi.
But they were all business for what mattered most. Skylar noted that her time on a Major League Show Jumping national team in the U.S. had been good experience for riding for her country in Abu Dhabi. But being part of the U.S. squad in the Longines League raised the stakes.
“It adds an element of pressure knowing that your team is relying on your round. You have to be really on point and it takes a lot for all the stars to align for everyone to have that perfect round to end up on top,” Skylar emphasized.
Shayne recounted that Robert Ridland defused tension by giving the team a pre-game pep talk, saying that while they were a little bit the underdogs, “We’re going to ride California strong and for the fires,” referring to the blazes that devastated the southern part of the team members’ home state recently.
“It was a great pleasure working with Skylar at her first CSIO 5-star,” said Lizzy Chesson, the USEF’s managing director of show jumping.
“She is an extremely hard-working, talented and dedicated young woman who really maximized her experience in Abu Dhabi. Her curiosity and desire to learn was remarkable. I truly hope she continues to find backers within the sport that help her achieve her potential.”
When the team didn’t qualify for the second round, “Everyone was disappointed, but everyone was grateful for the experience,” said Skylar, noting the U.S. squad did have the second-fastest first round time of all 11 teams. The riders rightly considered that an achievement.
And at her next team event, she will be able to bank on her first experience.
“It’s a whole different animal to put on that pink coat for a team event versus the World Cup, where it’s every man for himself,” she explained. “I like the team, I like the pressure, it’s well-suited for me.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 1, 2025
The U.S. Show Jumping Team took its tenth victory in the $150,000 Nations Cup in Wellington, Fla., Saturday night. The only all-female squad in the competition accumulated a mere 5 penalties, and the margin was so good that anchor rider Laura Kraut didn’t even have to go in the second round.
Ireland was second with 12 penalties, but its chef d’equipe, Michael Blake, got even with U.S. coach Robert Ridland by dousing him with the celebratory bottle of champagne presented during the awards ceremony. Belgium was third on 17 penalties.
Both Ireland and Belgium had one rider each eliminated in the first round, so they had only three competitors to go in the second, run over the same course as the initial effort in the International Arena at the Wellington International showgrounds. Teams from nine countries competed, but the rules called for only eight returning in the second round, so Israel finished ninth.
As usual, Robert gave less-experienced riders a chance to get Cup mileage in this competition. Carly Anthony on Heavenly W was one of only three people in the class to go double-clear.
Carly Anthony was double-clear for the U.S. with Heavenly W. (Sportfot photo)
Robert celebrated woman power.
“What we really like is American girl power beating Irish boy power,” he said with a chuckle.
The U.S. team: Laura Kraut, Natalie Dean, Robert Ridland, Carly Anthony and Charlotte Jacobs (U.S. Equestrian)
The pressure was on Charlotte Jacobs as last to go with Playboy JT Z.
“I knew my horse jumped great in the first round, so I just wanted to repeat that performance,” she said, adding only a single time fault in the second round to her clear trip in the first.
Also on the team was Natalie Dean with Acota M, clean in the first round and a single rail in the second.
The lineup of countries for the Nations Cup (Sport fot photo)
This was Laura’s ninetieth Nations Cup outing, but her first with Tres Bien Z. She had the drop score, when there was a problem at teh one-stride combination after the water jump. Although they cleared the obstacle on a second try, the mishap and time faults made her the drop score.
But as always, the 2008 Olympic team gold medalist had an upbeat comment.
“This was incredible,” she said.
“From the beginning, when Robert told me who the team was, I was really pumped. These are three amazing riders who have been on fire now, not just recently, but working for years to get here. The way they rode the first round was textbook and just so impressive,” she observed.
“To come back the second round and do the same — I’m grateful to them for being the great riders and tough competitors they are.”
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by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 28, 2025
It’s no surprise.
Robert Ridland, who guided the U.S. to its only equestrian medal at the 2024 Olympics, has been signed to a new four-year contract as show jumping team chef d’equipe and technical advisor that takes him through the 2022 world championships and the 2028 Olympics in his native California.
“During my time with the U.S. Jumping program, our teams and combinations have produced tremendous results at Championships and it’s important we keep the momentum moving forward into this next quad,” said Robert, who likes to be called “coach.”
“I’m very proud of the development and growth we’ve seen in our programs and am committed to continuing that success over the next four years as we head into the home 2028 Olympic Games,” he said, as his contract was announced Friday.;
Robert Ridland has been an effective leader of the U.S. show jumping team. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
An Olympic rider himself, Ridland will still be working side-by-side with the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s managing director of show jumping, Lizzy Chesson as they develop team programs, performance and strategy.
The post Paris review process looked at all aspects of the programs, including the role of the Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor. This process included participation of U.S. Jumping Team athletes with a broad range of team experience, as well as program staff, and key stakeholders. Ridland will continue to work alongside Managing Director of Jumping, Lizzy Chesson, and together they will oversee the management and advisement of the team programs, performance, and strategy.
“We look forward to supporting Robert Ridland and the team in their initiative of continuing to produce sustained success across the pathways in this next quadrennial,” said USEF CEO Bill Moroney.
Under Robert and Lizzy’s direction, the team has produced top international championship results including three team Olympic silver medals (2016, 2020, 2024), two team bronze medals and team gold at the Pan American Games (2015, 2019, 2023), as well as team bronze and team gold at the FEI Jumping World Championships (2014, 2018), alongside numerous Nations Cup podium finishes.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 21, 2025
The Dutch Party for the Animals (Partij voor de Dieren) contends the Netherlands is taking a big step forward in animal welfare in equestrian sports, following the country’s House of Representative’ vote on a ban involving “animal-unfriendly training aids.”
According to the animal party, “This means that, for example, whips, bits, tongue straps, and spurs with sharp wheels will be prohibited.”
Member of Parliament Christine Teunissen, a representative of the animal group contended, “Thanks to our proposal being passed, the state secretary must introduce a ban on all animal-unfriendly aids and training methods. This means equestrian sports will undergo a radical change.”
She continued, “It has long been known that many `common` training tools for horses are very painful and harmful. The use of a bit causes injuries in the mouth and severely constricts the tongue, often causing it to turn blue. The use of whips also causes a lot of animal suffering. No animal should have to endure this. That is why we are incredibly happy that Parliament demands a ban on these tools. A fantastic step forward! ”
Or is it? The Dutch federation did not respond to requests for comment, but an article in Horse & Hound noted “questions remain over what exactly will be restricted and how the rules will be enforced.”
Stakeholders, including horse-oriented organizations, must be consulted by the government before regulations are drafted.
One commenter noted, “Focus on education instead of bans.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 21, 2025
An innovative arrangement to spearhead the USA’s high performance three-day eventing efforts will be led by Leslie Law, who has been serving as the country’s eventing development coach. He becomes the team’s chef d’equipe while taking on the role of high performance manager for the Defender U.S. Eventing Team, working with Karyn Shuter. She fills a newly created spot as U.S. Eventing high performance adviser.
Leslie earned the 2004 Olympic individual eventing gold medal in Athens, where he also was a team silver medalist for his native Great Britain. In the chef role, he succeeds Bobby Costello, who did not seek renewal of his contract after it expired last November.
Leslie Law on the podium at the Athens Olympics, where he won individual gold and team silver. (Photo © 2004 by Nancy Jaffer)
Karyn evented for New Zealand, but is best known for working with Britain’s former world number one eventer, Oliver Townend. In his words, she has done “everything—entries, bills, owners, sponsors, riding and training” for approximately 15 years.
She is one of the owners of Ballaghmor Class, the horse on whom Oliver has won the Defender Kentucky 5-star and most recently the Maryland 5-star.
In addition to working with Oli, “She has helped other athletes,” said Hallye Griffin, the USEF’s director of FEI/High Performance Sport.
While Karyn may also be helping those athletes elswhere on occasion, Hallye said USEF conflict of interest policies will apply, which means “when she’s working for us, she’s working for us. There will be times when she is not working for us,” which means she will have “an allowance to advise others” in those instances.
Hallye noted the eventing leadership selection process was “extremely athlete-driven,” saying they are “really, really excited about Karyn coming on board along with Leslie.”
She added, “The athletes were a big piece of this… (they) were really driving this process. When it came down to it, it was, you know what? We think we need two people.” Looking at other countries, Hallye pointed out, “having more than one person (in a leadership position) is not uncommon.”
Tamie Smith, who in 2023 became the first U.S. rider to win the Kentucky 5-star since 2008, noted that “As riders, we are very excited with the selection of Leslie Law and Karyn Shuter as the leaders for our high-performance goals.
“After an extensive and thoughtful evaluation process, we believe their combined expertise and passion will inspire our team to achieve new heights. We extend our gratitude to USEF for their support and for allowing us to be a part of this process.”
While Leslie has “so much knowledge of the talent of the U.S. and our operations and the programs and the athletes and the horses,” Hallye said, “Karyn is going to come in with a slightly different outside perspective and have a lot of insights into what some of the other top athletes around the world are doing, and seeing where we can increase or level up our programs to get some extra edge for the future.”
Karyn is based in the United Kingdom, but she will be traveling to the U.S. for various events,, home visits and other occasions.
Added Hallye, “There is a lot that is still evolving. This is a re-structure for us to have a high performance advisor. She and Leslie and our athletes have all been super honest with understanding there might be some things within job descriptions that have to evolve.
“As they get their footing, Leslie and Karyn really have to get feedback from everyone as to where these programs need to be going. They’re both excited to have a team of people here.”
Leslie, who has continued to compete in recent years, noted that “Having supported the USEF eventing programs and teams for more than a decade, I have a clear understanding of our depth of talent and ability. I’m honored the athletes supported this transition and are confident in this new structure. With Karyn coming into the fold, alongside our program staff, we are starting this new quad heading in the right direction with the same collective goals in mind.”
“Having supported the USEF eventing programs and teams for more than a decade, I have a clear understanding of our depth of talent and ability,” said Leslie.
“I’m honored the athletes supported this transition and are confident in this new structure. With Karyn coming into the fold alongside our program staff, we are starting this new quad (quadrennium) heading in the right direction with the same collective goals in mind.”
For her part, Karyn stated, “The U.S. has a longstanding and successful history in the sport of eventing and a lot of untapped potential. I’m looking forward to the future with this program and to contributing to supporting the athletes and identifying ways we can improve performance at the international and championship levels.”
Shuter will work with athletes and stakeholders on performance plans, while supporting Leslie in developing a long-term strategy to produce sustained success. It’s all about strategy in their case, since neither of the positions involve training roles.
Christina Vaughn, who worked with Leslie on the eventing development programs for the past decade, will become USEF eventing elite program director and team leader. Leslie and Karyn will report to Amber Braun, USEF’s managing director of eventing.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 25, 2025
The influential president of the European Equestrian Federation, Theo Ploegmakers, will leave his position April 1 due to health issues after nearly seven years in the role.
Founded in 2009, the EEF is the representative body for the European-based national equestrian federations. Working closely with the Federation Internationale Equestre (FEI) and the national federations, the EEF works to maximize the potential and development of equestrianism throughout the continent. It is committed to promoting the sport and its good practices, developing it across Europe, and providing leadership for a collective European voice. The EEF board will determine who succeeds Theo in the presidency.
Theo Ploegmakers (Photo © FEI/Richard Juilliart)
The former president of the Dutch federation looked back on his tenure, noting, “We have successfully united the European equestrian community, fostering meaningful cooperation between both large and small federations. Today, the federation stands as a testament to what can be achieved through shared vision and collaboration.
“When I became president, my vision was not only to create better opportunities for all European nations but also to ensure that our sport’s growth never compromised horse welfare,” he said.
“We have built a stronger, more inclusive community where competitive success aligns with a principled approach to horsemanship. I depart knowing that we have elevated both our achievements and our values. The foundation we have established will continue to benefit European equestrianism for generations to come.”
As part of his dedication to equine welfare, his involvement has supported efforts to promote responsible practices and maintain public trust in equestrianism’s social license to operate.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 18, 2025
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is being called on by a U.S. senator to explain the circumstances involved in hiring an investigator who faces criminal charges, including rape and theft.
The non-profit Center was authorized by Congress in 2017 with the goal of ending sexual, physical and emotional abuse involving athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic movement, in the wake of a sex scandal centered on U.S. gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. There are dozens of equestrians’ names on SafeSport’s centralized disciplinary database, with most offenses listed including sexual misconduct involving a minor.
As Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) noted this month in his letter to SafeSport CEO Ju’Riese Colón, “Accusations of rape and other sex crimes against any SafeSport investigator are especially concerning given SafeSport’s mandate to protect athletes from similar abuse.
“Charges of that nature seriously call into question the quality of SafeSport’s vetting of its own officials.”
Former Safe Sport investigator Jason Krasley, who was hired by the Center in 2021, is charged with stealing $5,500 from a crime suspect in 2019 when he was a detective in the Allentown, Pa., police department. He was arraigned Nov. 15, 2024’s in Lehigh County, Pa.’s Magisterial District Court on charges of theft, receiving stolen property and fabricating evidence. SafeSport fired him that month.
In his letter, Grassley went on to state that Krasley was working for SafeSport when he allegedly subjected an individual to harassing physical contact on June 14, 2024.
“He reportedly threatened his victim and used words lewd to the point of being criminal. This was not the first time Mr. Krasley purportedly engaged in misconduct. In 2015, he allegedly raped an individual `by threat of forcible compulsion.’ He was arraigned on this and other charges on December 19, 2024,” according to the senator’s letter.
Krasley’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
Citing other charges dating back to 2015 on which Krasley was arraigned in January 2025, Grassley seeks to know not only what information SafeSport had about Krasley, but also details of the Center’s hiring practices.
“Claimants share deeply personal information with SafeSport investigators. For some, the memories they share with SafeSport are among their worst.”
The Senator pointed out they deserve to deal with fair investigators who have not been accused of sexual misconduct.
An independent third-party firm is auditing Krasley’s cases to ensure fairness and adherence to the Center’s investigative protocol.
With guidance from trauma-informed experts, the Center is reaching out to both claimants and respondents in Krasley’s cases to inform them of the audit and how to contact the outside firm, as well as accessing additional support.
Grassley gave SafeSport until March 10 to respond to a series of 13 questions, including details of a new morals clause being added to the Center’s code of conduct. He also wants to know more about the Krasley situation, including how the investigations with which the former investigator was involved are being handled in the wake of his firing.
SafeSport is in the process of responding to the senator. Asked for a request for comment, the Center stated it “commissions a thorough background check on all prospective employees using a national background check provider. The checks include multiple levels of screening related to criminal and sex offender registry history and is repeated annually for all active employees. In addition, the Center conducts multiple interviews, reference reviews and investigates whether anyone has been a respondent in our process.
“The Center takes this matter seriously and is assessing the situation to determine what, if any, additional vetting could have prevented this individual from being eligible for hire. One initial step the Center is taking is adding language akin to a morals clause to the employee Code of Conduct.”
Colón said, “I am appalled that a former staff member has been accused of such heinous acts in his previous role as a police officer. We hold all staff to the highest standard because safeguarding athletes is our utmost priority.”
Legislation introduced at the end of last year would give SafeSport an additional $10 million in federal grants for training and education programs if it passed. The Center already receives $2.5 million from the government, and the remainder of its $20 million budget comes from Olympic and Paralympic sports’ governing bodies.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 20, 2025
For the fifth straight time since the FEI Dressage Nations Cup began in Wellington, Fla., in 2013, Germany took the title in the Starpoint Dancesport team competition that drew squads from five countries on Thursday.
Germany earned 207.022 points while silver went to the Dutta Corp. U.S. team with 201.565 points. Sweden’s 190.761 points earned bronze.
Individually, Germany’s Evelyn Eger was first with a new personal best of 70.435% on Tabledance 3, a daughter of Totilas. Swedish Olympic veteran Tinne Vilhelmsen Silfven was second with 70.304 percent on Hyatt. The top two were the only riders to break 70 percent.
The best American score belonged to Devon Kane on Vamos, fifth with 67.435 percent. Her husband, Kevin Kohmann, was right behind her on Giulietta with 67.304.
Devon Kane and Vamos, the top-scoring U.S. combination. (©Avery Wallace/US Equestrian)
After a rough beginning, where Devon thought her distracted horse started trending on 22 percent, the combination “pulled our way up from there, so I knew we had to catch as many points as we could and make every movement count,” she said. “I’m proud that my horse was able to overcome such a setback.
“It’s an honor to be able to represent the U.S. at any Nations Cup, but to do so with your husband next to you, cheering for you and riding with you is extremely special,” added Devon, who was helped into her new team jacket by her husband before the class..
She produced both Vamos and Giulietta from young horses, and noted having them be part of the team is “a testament to our commitment to the sport and to helping each other and our team do well.
“This is both Vamos and Giulietta’s first year of CDI, so to be trusted for the U.S. team and to do what we did today makes us very proud. Today was very special.”
Germany’s chef d’equipe, Michael Klimke, also rode on the squad, but noted his horse wasn’t at his best. The other riders made up for it, however.
“Team spirit is very important, and we all have the feeling we can rely on and trust each other,” Michael explained.
Australia and Canada also participated, but as they had only three members on their teams, and each had one rider who was eliminated, their scores did not count.
In the 3-star Starpoint Dancesport FEI freestyle Friday night at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, Evelyn was again the winner with a personal best of 77.235 percent to tunes by Shakira. Evelyn, who rides for Hof Kasselman, has ridden 12-year-old Tabledance since she was seven and brought her up through the levels.
Another German rider, Felicitas Hendricks on Drombusch OLD, earned silver with a total of 75.13 percent. She rode to disco music; the only wrinkle in the performance was a kick out on the final centerline.
Devon, who led the U.S. silver medal team placing on Thursday, took bronze on Vamos with a very close score of 75.125.
“This is our third freestyle under the lights, and when he walks out at night, he walks out different,” said Devon, whose music was techno swing from the Gatsby movie.
“He really enjoys the dancing and the music and he knows exactly what’s happening. He lights up and he’s game-on from the start.”
The class was a qualifer for the new U.S. Equestrian Open of Dressage, which has a final in November. Click here for team results; click this link for freestyle results.
