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 | 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.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 4, 2023
Falls of horse and of rider in competition will be reported in the class results of every U.S. Equestrian Federation competition beginning Dec. 1, the organization has decided, calling the procedure “a safety and welfare measure.”
In what can only be called a statement of the obvious, USEF explained, “It is well known that minimizing the occurrence of horse and rider falls decreases the risk of injury to participants and our equine partners in competition. To inform change, evaluate risk, and implement risk mitigation strategies in our sport, accurate data pertaining to falls is needed.”
Horse falls will be reported as ‘HF’ in the competition results and rider falls will be reported as ‘RF’. This requirement will be for all licensed breeds and disciplines, excluding eventing. For eventing competitions horse falls will continue to be reported as ‘MR’ (standing for mandatory retirement), and rider falls will continue to be reported as ‘RF’.
General Rule 122 defines the fall of a rider or a horse in competition this way: “A rider is considered to have fallen when they are separated from their horse, that has not fallen, in such a way as to necessitate remounting or vaulting into the saddle. A horse is considered to have fallen when the shoulder and haunch on the same side have touched the ground or an obstacle and the ground.”
It will be interesting to see what having accurate numbers available will do in terms of preventing falls.
