by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 11, 2023
Interested in exploring the benefits of equine-assisted psychotherapy to improve parent-child relationships? How about the importance of understanding what horses are telling us through their “wanted and unwanted behavior.”
The Horses and Humans Research Foundation will be examining those topics and many more, including fine points of equine nutrition and the importance of horses’ sleep patterns, during its summer conference at Centenary University in Hackettstown, N.J., July 22-23.
The organization serves as a catalyst to advance global knowledge of horse-human interactions and their impact on the health and well-being of people, horses, and other equines.
For more information or to register for the conference sponsored by Zoetis, click on this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 12, 2023
In an effort to increase engagement with the the equestrian community in California and the western part of the country, the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation has hired Coloradan Lisa Munro to take on a new role as director of Development.
Her responsibilities include enhancing donor engagement and building a support pipeline in the region. The Foundation, based in Gladstone, N.J., is the philanthropic partner of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, supporting the competition, training, coaching, travel, and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international high performance horses and athletes.
The goal of course, is to sustain competitive excellence. Lisa will report to the foundation’s executive director, Bonnie Jenkins, as she plays a key role in the foundation’s fundraising initiative, “Pathway to the Podium.” It is working to raise $55 million toward getting U.S. athletes on the podium at the 2024 and 2028 Olympics and Paralympics, and other key competitions going forward.
Lisa, a lifelong equestrian, most recently served as senior program manager for advancement at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she oversaw leadership annual giving and donor relations, stewardship, and engagement for the College of Media, Communication and Information.
She developed and implemented innovative strategies that exceeded several fundraising goals, which included a 12.5 percent increase in the College’s number of donors and a 36 percent increase in the average gift size. Previously, she was involved with overseeing and executing corporate sponsorships for professional soccer teams.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 10, 2023
The International Jumping Riders Club has “serious concerns,” about a new elimination rule that allows a single judge to eliminate a horse or rider who appear to be having difficulty during their round.
The organization is asking the FEI (international equestrian federation) to allow former elite level riders (such as just-retired Ludger Beerbaum, perhaps?) to sit with the ground jury in an advisory capacity at championships and Olympic Games.
“The IJRC is worried about “split-second” decisions that cannot be appealed, which could result in career-changing outcomes for riders and national teams. This is of particular concern to the IJRC this season, when many have their last qualifying opportunities for the Paris Olympics 2024, and for the Olympic Games itself, where there is no drop-score due to the mandate for only three riders on a team, instead of four.
The new rule, which came into effect Jan. 1, enables the president of the ground jury or a designated ground jury member to eliminate an entry if the official involved “decides that it would be contrary to the principles of horse welfare to allow the combination to continue the round. ”
In addition to introducing an advisory panel, the IJRC also requests the FEI replace the sentence about horse welfare with the words “for the safety of horse and rider.”
IJRC explained, “The current wording could mislead the general public about the reason for elimination and thereby subject the rider to unjustified criticism on social media.”
Riders had wanted the decision to be appealable, but they also understood the rule results from the growing pressure of “social license” and the potential pushback from the non-equestrian public, when negative images circulate on social media. However, the scenarios that could be eliminated remain undefined.
During a debate at the IJRC convention in Geneva last December, numerous Olympians noted that horses could be eliminated by judges who have not ridden at the top level for decades. Some may no longer have the practical “feel” to decide, on the spot, the real reason for an awkward-looking jumping effort. Does it result from over-facing a horse and rider of limited ability, or is it an isolated incident that is part of the normal learning curve of a young horse in expert hands?
The advisory panel proposal and requested re-wording of the rule both were put forward by 2016 Olympic champion Nick Skelton of Great Britain.
He said, “There are many recently retired top riders like me who are at all the major shows. Our experience is there to be utilized. Motorsport already makes use of its ex-drivers’ expertise in this way.
“If a horse is taken out of the arena swiftly after having a bad jump early on, you’ll never know if he could have gained in confidence during the rest of his round and finished well. That is a training setback and a conflict with the basics of good horsemanship. Nowadays, we tread a fine line, but we must educate the public while being conscious of its growing role in equestrianism’s social license to operate.”
FEI rules usually are amended only on an annual basis. However, the IJRC believes that this situation warrants immediate action by the FEI board, before the European Show Jumping Championships in Milan (August 29-September 3) but at the absolute latest, by January 1, 2024, at the start of the Olympic year.
The IJRC does, however, support the elimination of a horse in instances of blood around the mouth or nostrils.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 29, 2023
The U.S. Equestrian Federation this week passed a rule calling for all horses competing in USEF licensed or endorsed competitions to be microchipped as of Dec. 1, 2025. The chip used must be a 15-digit ISO compliant 11784/11785 model that is implanted in the nuchal ligament of the horse’s neck.
The argument for this is that microchipping of horses is fundamental to equine well-being, especially during times of disease outbreaks, natural disasters, in cases of theft and to protect against fraud.
As of December 1, 2024, all horses on the grounds of hunter, jumper, and hunter/jumper competitions must have a competition-issued back number either attached to the horse or to the person riding, handling, or exercising the horse at all times while in a schooling, longeing or exercise area. The requirement, originally proposed by USHJA, represents a safety measure, and will aid significantly in identification and well-being efforts on the part of both horses and humans.
In the same vein, longeing a visibly exhausted or obviously lame horse; and excessive, disruptive, or otherwise inappropriate use of a longe whip was added to the list of prohibited acts under the horse welfare rules for hunters, jumpers, and hunter/jumping seat equitation
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 11, 2023
Britain has named a real powerhouse of a short list for the European Eventing Championships in France next month. That’s a heads-up for the U.S. on what kind of competition it will face at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
At the 2022 world championships, the U.S.won silver to qualify for Paris. For obvious reasons, the U.S. won’t be competing in the European championships.
World champion and British star Yasmin Ingham with Banzai du Loir. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Those named to the British short list include Ros Canter and 2023 Badminton winner Lordships Graffalo, Laura Collett with 2022 Badminton winner London 52, who also was tops at Luhmuhlen; World Champion Yasmin Ingham (Banzai du Loir) and Tom Jackson with Capels Hollow Drift, second at Burghley last year and fifth at Badminton this spring. The others (all were named in alphabetical order) are Kitty King, a member of the 2021 Europeans gold medal team (Vendredi Biats) and Tom McEwen, second in the Land Rover Kentucky 5-star on JL Dublin.
The team of four will be selected from the short list closer to the event. Kentucky 5-star winner Oliver Townend was named as a reserve with Ballaghmor Class. He had four knockdowns at last year’s world championships, which dropped Britain from the podium to fourth place.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 8, 2023
The fabulous dressage star Valegro marked his 21st birthday last week.
Atop the Olympic multi-gold medal champion for the occasion was the daughter of his famous rider, Charlotte Dujardin. The fact that little Isabella Rose is not even six months old (she was born March 7) of course meant the child had to be supported on Valegro’s back by her mother. But it was wonderful to see Valegro looking fine, as always, and carrying a representative of the next generation of British dressage (one can hope.)
Charlotte and Valegro on their way to glory at the 2012 London Olympics. (Photo © 2012 by Nancy Jaffer)
Valegro symbolized a historic milestone for that nation when he led that its team to a breakthrough gold at the 2012 London Games, then picked up individual gold for Charlotte with a freestyle to music that included the chimes of England’s iconic Big Ben and appropriately, an Olympic Fanfare. She earned 90.089 percent (just missing her British freestyle record at the time of 90.65 percent), still a memorable achievement for herself, the horse and her country.
It was a privilege to be an accredited journalist in Greenwich Park for the occasion, and stand so close as Charlotte waited for the medal presentation that I could see the tears she kept wiping away with her white gloved hands (I remember I felt like offering her a handkerchief).
“I just wanted to go out there today and enjoy it and not regret anything,” Charlotte said at the time, and that’s what she did. The afternoon is so clear in my memory that I can’t believe it was 11 years ago, but its imprint is indelible.
Isabella Rose sits atop Valegro on his 21st birthday. (Photo by Jess Photography)
Valegro’s emergence on the scene under the skillful direction of trainer Carl Hester marked a transition for what played best in dressage at the top level.
This horse was more about harmony than power, very correct in the way he executed the movements, but doing it with a fluid style that made him a star. Valegro clinched my romance with dressage, and as such, captured a special place in my heart.
Valegro was 10 then, and still had many more gold medals in him, including the 2014 world championships and the 2016 Olympics, where the score for his winning freestyle was 93.857. Charlotte called him “the most amazing horse that there is” and I agree, even seven years after his retirement from showing.
Fans at the Central Park Horse Show in 2016 mobbed Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin when they made an appearance before the horse’s official retirement. (Photo © 2016 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
I was privileged to write about many great horses before Valegro, including Reiner Klimke’s 1984 individual gold ride, Ahlerich, and many successful horses after him, including current Olympic champion TSF Dalera BB and world champion Glamourdale, with his amazing reach.
But Valegro, nicknamed Blueberry, is the one who will always stand out for me. It brings joy to see how well he looks (but what would you expect with Carl and Charlotte always mindful of him?) They were so wise to retire him following Rio. After all, what more did he have to prove? But he kept his fans happy by making many special appearances, including his visit to Central Park in 2016 and later that year, his farewell performance at Olympia during the London International Horse Show.
Valegro performing at Central Park. (Photo © 2016 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
If Valegro were a young man, at age 21 he would have many wonderful years ahead of him to hone his craft. But 21 is not young for a horse, even one in such great shape as Valegro. I hope he is with us in his current capacity for many years to come, as a symbol of all that is right for the sport and a light that continues to shine with special care and love.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 26, 2023
What’s in a name? A lot, when it’s as ill-conceived as the new “League of Nations.”
That’s what the FEI (international equestrian federation) is calling the re-do of the Longines Nations Cup series for 2024. The first time I heard how the FEI intended to christen the international team show jumping series, I thought it was a joke. Anyone with a working knowledge of 20th Century history knows the League of Nations, formed after World War I, couldn’t prevent World War II. It’s a name that’s synonymous with failure. Would a car manufacturer in this era call its new model the Edsel?
The historical League of Nations (based, like the FEI, in Geneva, Switzerland) was formed after World War I, with those attending the Paris Peace Conference agreeing to establish an organization that could ensure future peace. Except that it didn’t.
Asked about its revival of the League of Nations name for the Longines series, an FEI spokesperson said, “In terms of renaming, this was discussed with the Task Force during the (six-month) consultation phase (and has come up a lot in the past), as it has always been problematic that the term Nations Cup is broad and refers to any “O” (team) event so for jumping any CSIO event, and not solely events part of the FEI Nations Cup. By introducing a new name – which is specific to the series, then there is greater clarity and a unique identity.”
Not every Nations Cup is part of the new league. Aachen and the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, for instance, are among the competitions that are not involved.
“As to the historical reference regarding the (League of Nations) name,” said the FEI spokesperson, “rest assured this was considered and discussed.”
But perhaps not fully understood?
Eighteen organizers from Europe, North America and the Middle East have submitted bids to host one of the five qualifiers and the Final for the new league. It’s a global series, where the world’s 10 best teams travel to all five qualifiers and compete against each other, with the top eight teams then qualified for the Final.
The format, which was approved unanimously by the FEI Jumping Committee, will be unique to the Longines League of NationsTM . It consists of two rounds, with all four athletes from each of the 10 teams (and potentially the host nation) participating. The three best scores count in the first round. It is followed by a second round, with the best eight teams competing in reverse order, carrying their penalties forward from the first round, but with only three athletes per team and no drop score.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 28, 2023
The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s most recent Town Hall webinar was a “Recognized Riding Academy-inspired” program, geared to addressing the concerns of the grassroots.
Previous Town Halls have dealt with such first-world equestrian issues as increasing prize money or how many shows can be entered to accumulate points for year-end championships.
But those at the entry and lower levels are “super-important” for the future of the sport in terms of its stability and growth, as USHJA President Mary Knowlton noted in this week’s session.
A key issue with those groups is cost; not only the cost of showing, but the cost of lessons or even just having the chance to ride.
One of the 37 people who participated in the forum was Shasta Parry, a show organizer from Utah. She noted, “it’s an expensive sport. It is inaccessible to far too many. I hate it, but I’m not sure how to fix it for everyone.”
So she says, “I’m doing what I can to bridge the gap, and cheering others on to do the same.”
If managers want to offer Outreach, Shasta suggested, “put together a schooling show.”
But even such smaller shows are expensive because of everything involved in putting them on; not just the obvious items like jumps, prizes and judges (though you don’t have to use licensed judges), but also behind-the-scenes expenses, such as manure removal or paying for EMTs.
Mary believes the introductory Outreach shows are “the biggest thing that helps,” and says Outreach Festivals “have to be low-cost, we really do police that.”
Jess Boppe commented that while there are local shows where riders can “get their feet wet with showing,” the costs pile up fast as they move on to rated shows. She pointed out membership and registration for riders and horses can amount to $200, and then there are the fees at the shows themselves. Jess wondered if the governing bodies might look at doing away with “some of these fees that are really adding up for horse owners and riders.”
Allie Zorn suggested “maybe a push for more transparency regarding how fees are utilized,” would help people understand what use is made of their money by shows and equestrian organizations.
She suggested it would be “a little easier for parents coming in (to showing) to know how their money is being spent.”
Other topics that came up during the Town Hall included being mindful of how to deal with riders who might be too heavy for a stable’s horses. It can be hard to estimate a rider’s weight, so one idea was to list weight ranges (rather than specific weights) that riders can check so instructors can make appropriate rider/horse pairings. It also would not be as embarrassing as asking for a specific figure for a rider’s weight.
(Horse & Hound reported this week that 12 people were asked to dismount at the Royal Three Counties Show in Britain because they were too big for the ponies they were riding. There is talk that a weight limit might be brought in next year.)
There was a discussion of dealing with temperatures and humidity when making a decision as to whether to ride or show. When the combination is over 150 degrees “it starts to get dangerous,” said Stephanie Cook, noting 160 is very dangerous. She pointed out it is not kind to put horses into “those metal boxes” after they have shown all day in high heat, thus subjecting the animal to a long ride in a hot vehicle (while you drive your air conditioned truck). She suggests waiting until things cool down in the evening, or perhaps staying an extra night before heading home.
The subject of jackets in the heat also drew comments. Even though jackets may be waived, there are some instances in which riders will insist on wearing them because they think they have a better “look” in that attire.
Leslie Terry said in the extreme heat and humidity of South Florida, “I see kids all the time passing out.”
She suggested a rule that would ban jackets when the heat index reaches a certain point.
Participants offered some interesting ideas when asked how to handle having riders of varying abilities riding together in the same ring, perhaps indoors in inclement weather. One suggestion was to have them proceed one behind the other, playing a sort of game where the last rider might be asked to move to the front of the line in an extended trot, while another might move up in a sitting trot or another gait.
Kay Altheuser mentioned having one person get in the center of the ring act as the instructor for five minutes, then switching off with another rider.
Cory Kieschnick noted pole exercises work, because they can run the gamut from rails on the ground to cross-rails and little fences.
It’s interesting what people can come up with when they have a forum like the Town Halls where they feel free to talk and exchange ideas that can improve the experience for everyone.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 18, 2023
The American Horse Council is seeking people involved with horses and the horse industry to participate in its 2023 national economic impact survey.
The purpose of the census is to demonstrate the value of the equine industry in the national and state economies by analyzing the direct, indirect and induced economic impact of horse ownership, recreation and equine-related services.
AHC notes that the last three years have been a time of great change throughout the country for homes, businesses and industries.
“Rising costs of living, shrinking of assistance and changes in demographics have affected so much of our world, and that includes the equine industry.”
Not all of the changes are easy to identify, which is why AHC has begun what could be one of the biggest studies in its more than 50 years. Major economic changes have occurred during the past five years. Not only have business closures and resulting federal stimulus programs related to the pandemic made a major impact, but the horse industry has adapted to historic changes made to the tax code since 2017.
Click on this link to take part in the survey as an individual. Click here to take part in the survey if you are a horse industry supplier and do not own a horse. The survey remains open through Sept. .29.
An economic impact study examines the effect an event or industry has on the economy and usually measures changes in business revenue, business profits, personal wages, and/or jobs. As a large, economically diverse entity, the U.S. horse industry contributes significantly to the American economy.
In the past half-century, the AHC has conducted numerous national economic impact studie for the U.S. horse industry, which has included such pivotal years as 1987, 1997, 2007 and 2017.
“The challenges of the last few years with the pandemic and its economic impacts on all aspects of our industry make the 2023 study all that more important and necessary,” states Dr. Rick Mitchell, chairman of the AHC Board.
Data collected in the survey which runs through Sept. 30 will inform public and private investments in a number of areas, including equine-related businesses, equine health care, education, land use decisions, tax policy, tourism and employment incentives.
New this year are sponsored incentives for individuals and groups who participate in the survey, including a John Deere Z545R ZTrak Mower valued at $7,500, one year of Nutrena feed for one horse (a $2,000 value); one year of Purina feed for one horse (a $500 value/horse); gift certificates from Trafalgar Square Books (total value $180); enrollment in Texas A&M’s AgriLife Equine Reproductive Management Online Course valued at $300/enrollment; plus more.
“The Economic Impact Study is the most effective tool in our advocacy quiver,” said AHC President Julie Broadway.
“When the industry needs to take aim at an issue, this data is invaluable in helping us paint the picture of the contributions the industry makes and the breath and depth of its composition.”
The AHC and the AHC Foundation are not government-subsidized, nor do AHC or AHCF receive any funding through check-off programs like some livestock groups. AHC relies on contributions, sponsorships and advertising to fund the study. Details about these opportunities can be found at https://horsecouncil.org/economic-impact-study-fundraising/
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 21, 2023
Air vests, once most commonly associated with eventers, have gotten more popular with hunter/ jumper riders over the last few years.
While it may seem like a good safety measure to wear one, the truth is that there hasn’t been sufficient research to determine how much protection they offer and set safety standards for their use.
Eventers are required to wear hard body protectors under their air vests on cross-country. There already are safety standards in place for body protectors.
Hunter/jumper riders just wear the air vests, which unlike the body protectors, do not change their body profile–a look that is important to them. The vests fit nicely over a regular show coat and are attached to the saddle via an unobtrusive lanyard. When the rider parts company with a horse, the lanyard detaches and activates the vest’s trigger mechanism, releasing Co2 to inflate the vest before the body hits the ground.
But there’s a great deal that isn’t known about the effectiveness of air vests operating on their own, without body protectors beneath them.
There’s a lot to take into consideration when calculating the protective value of air vests for riders.
The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is launching an extensive program of testing the air vests at Virginia Tech, which previously came up with the star rating program for evaluating helmet safety. USHJA has pledged $100,000 toward the research, which will cost a total of $825,000 and cannot begin until $450,000 is raised. Those who wish to contribute can go to this link.
On Tuesday night, USHJA presented an informational webinar with Drs. Stefan Duma and Barry Miller from Virginia Tech. It was hosted by Joe Dotoli, the USHJA’s safety committee chairman.
There are a lot of questions to be answered, from the extent of the thoracic protection offered by the vests, with and without body protectors, as to whether they also may help prevent some head injuries.
One problem mentioned is the prospect that if someone falls from their horse and the vest doesn’t deploy, the Co2 canister used to inflate the vest could prove a danger to the rider’s ribs.
Another downside is the concern that the popping sound of the vest being deployed could spook a rider’s horse or other horses in the vicinity. Companies that make vests are working on making the noise go away, but achieving it “will be a challenge.” The vests started as protection for motorcycle riders, Joe pointed out, and the cycles (of course) didn’t care about a popping noise.
Listeners to the webinar wondered whether wearing an air vest could become a rule, the way helmets did at the beginning of this century. But Joe noted at that time, the U.S. Equestrian Federation “had a good standard from ASTM (The American Society for Testing and Materials) on the helmets.”
Air vests (the black garment over the red coat) are gaining popularity with hunter/jumper riders, despite the fact that more information about their effectiveness is needed. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
To find a standard for the vests, “we don’t know until we do the science,” he explained. The study is expected to take two years after it gets under way. The sooner the money is raised, the sooner that will happen.
One of the goals of the work is to “test and rate the biomechanical performance of equestrian chest protection systems.”
Once manufacturers have information from the study, “they can design vests around the research,” Joe said.
The researchers would like to get any videos that might help them in their work. If you have something like that, send it to bmiller21@vt.edu .
A concern expressed during the webinar is whether the vest can protect someone whose horse falls on top of them. It requires a body protector for an effort to reduce the severity of crush injuries, though it is not always effective against such a traumatic accident.
Joe noted that “eventing falls have been so devastating with rotational falls.” He explained that type of fall doesn’t tend to happen in hunter/jumper competition because of breakaway cups and rails that tumble easily in those classes, while eventing involves many more solid obstacles cross-country.
USHJA webinars have aired on a number of topics. Next up on Monday June 26 at 7 p.m. is a Town Hall on the grassroots of the industry.
