by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 3, 2023
How do you know when someone has suffered a concussion in connection with their involvement with horses? That often is a tough question.
British Equestrian has released unified concussion guidelines for the equestrian industry. The six-page guidance document is geared to help participants not only recognize when a concussion has occurred, but also to know what actions to take in the immediate aftermath and during recovery.
The guidelines have been produced in response to the action plan published by the government of the United Kingdom in December 2021 to address concussion in sport to help reduce risks and potential long-term effects associated with head injuries.
The launch is the first initiative in a campaign that will run throughout 2023 to raise awareness of traumatic brain injury (concussion) and its severity, and education on how to spot the signs and general management. Further resources will be available in the coming months via a planned hub on the British Equestrian website and through the federation’s member bodies.
Sports across the United Kingdom pledged unified support of the plan and, as part of British Equestrian’s commitment to the welfare of participants at all levels, the federation has produced equestrian-specific advice, developed by its World Class Programme Human Sports Science and Medicine team.
Chief Executive Jim Eyre commented; “Concussion in sport has hit the headlines in recent times and we’re increasingly aware of the devastating, lasting impact it can have. As highlighted in the Government action plan, all who regulate and work in sport have a collective duty to come together to safeguard the health of our participants. As such, I’m delighted we’ve produced this guidance, which is as relevant to those in elite equestrian sport as it those interacting with horses for the first time.”
Aimed at participants at all levels of equestrian sport, including riders, vaulters and drivers; parents, coaches, officials, grooms, medical personnel and event organisers, the guidance document provides information to manage concussion. It is geared to help from the time of injury through to a safe return to equestrian sport. This includes the stages of recovery following concussion and a standardized ‘return to riding’ program, both of which should be carried out in conjunction with advice from a qualified medical practitioner or healthcare provider. Links to further help and resources are also listed.
The BE website can be reached at https://www.britishequestrian.org.uk
“Our member bodies have been really engaged in this work and are committed to the responsible management of concussions,” continued Jim. “Anyone in the equestrian industry is welcome to download the guidance from our website and adopt it as their own, so we all take a responsibility for our participants and their long-term wellbeing.“
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 1, 2023
Talk about closing the barn door after the horse is gone…
In the wake of a horse abuse scandal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the International Modern Pentathlon Union is working toward a “successful” show jumping phase at next year’s Olympics in Paris before riding is replaced in that sport for the 2028 Games.
Union members promised, after setting up “a riding review panel,” that they have a “full commitment” to making sure horse selection, course design and athlete performances are done properly as riding makes its last appearance in the sport in 2024. Why wasn’t this done years ago? There were always some not-so-pretty pictures from the riding portion of pentathlon over the years.
But the sport had its profile raised in a negative way that made headlines around the world when a German coach at the Tokyo Olympics punched a horse that had refused a jump with a rider who was leading the competition to that point. The publicity reflected negatively on all horse sports, with many critics not understanding the difference between pentathlon and the Olympic disciplines of show jumping, eventing and dressage, where riders are highly skilled and have spent years (rather than minutes) with their horses.
The bad publicity is a big concern, as “social license” to operate takes on more importance while horse sport deals with the necessity of public approval for what it does.
Pentathlon riding camps geared to sharpening participants’ skills will be staged prior to the Paris Games. That is where the equestrian discipline will be held for the final time before being dropped in favor of having participants negotiate an obstacle course on foot in future compeittions.
Qualification for the Games will be closely monitored to insure capability of those who compete in the riding phase during the Olympics. In Paris, the pentathlon has been revised to run in 90 minutes with riding and its other components: shooting, running, swimming and fencing.
Although many athletes objected, the Union’s Congress in 2021 approved a proposal to remove riding. The Union’s leaders were criticized for lack of transparency.
While modern pentathlon has been a part of the Games since1912, it is not yet on the schedule of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, despite plans to drop riding from the format.
More attention always should have been paid to the riding aspect, where participants had to deal with the luck of the draw in the horses they rode in the segment. The fences also were too high for athletes who were not specialists in riding.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 14, 2023
Last year’s inaugural Dressage at Devon Masterclass with Sabine Schut-Kery will have an encore this fall with the world’s number two-ranked rider, Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour of Denmark.
The session on Thursday evening Sept. 28 will include an assortment of riders with horses at various stages of training. Early bird pricing is available now, along with tickets for the rest o the show. Click this link to buy.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 30, 2023
Want to get close to the action at April’s FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha? Or maybe you’d like to see what goes on behind the scenes?
You can have an opportunity to do either, and more, by volunteering for the April 4-8 competition.Other benefits include receiving commemorative event wear.
McLain Ward was the winner of the 2017 FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha. He’ll be back this year. (Photo © 2017 by Nancy Jaffer)
Remember how well the 2017 finals went? They involved jumping and dressage. This spring, vaulting–basically gymnastics on horseback–is being added to the mix. More fun!
To sign up as a volunteer, click on this link
Don’t feel llike working? Click here to buy tickets or VIP packges.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 22, 2023
HITS, the horse show series with competitions from coast to coast, has a new leader in Peter Englehart.
The company’s president and chief executive officer will be at the helm as HITS “redefines its commitment to creating an exemplary customer experience at all six of its world-class venues.”
In the past, he has worked with ESPN, ABC Sports, Sesame Street, MotorTrend & Hot Rod magazines and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, among other enterprises. He joined HITS in March 2022 as part of the team recruited by the shows’ new owner, Traub Capital Partners.
“Peter has a proven track record of creating winning teams and businesses,” said Brian Crosby, co-managing partner of Traub Capital Partners.
“Understanding the enthusiast consumer is a characteristic in which he is well-versed, and this trait will aid the growth of HITS in the equestrian marketplace.”
The new president has already helped launch such initiatives as the Young Jumper Program and developing more dressage events, as well as expanding into California’s historic Del Mar Horse Park, which will open in July after a two-year hiatus.
“Leading HITS is a wonderful opportunity to take a legacy brand to a new level of growth,” said Englehart. “We are blessed with wonderful locations, dates and an experienced management team to help move the company forward in the future.”
The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit at Post Time Farm will continue through March 26 and be followed by five more circuits throughout the spring, summer and fall in New York, California, Illinois, Vermont and Virginia.
HITS, established by Tom Struzzieri, is the largest producer of hunter/jumper horse shows in the U.S., operating six venues with 60 Weeks of sanctioned Hunter/Jumper competitions and six Weeks of dressage events.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 19, 2023
Sabin Schut-Kery is announcing, “A new chapter begins for a horse of a lifetime.”
The stallion Sanceo, the USA’s highest scoring horse at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, will compete no more, his rider stated today on social media. His performance in Japan that earned a personal best of 81.596 percent in the Grand Prix Special clinched a historic team silver medal was his last in competition. He is moving on to a breeding career.
Sanceo and Sabine Schut-Kery in Tokyo.
Explaining the choice to retire the stallion, Sabine said, “Since our wonderful Sanceo was just three years old, he has given everything he can to all that is asked of him; always inspiring us and always giving 100 percent to anything put in his way….and it’s because of this, we have made the decision to retire him from competitive sport.
“We have learned so much together and he has always been there for me, and I keep this in my heart as we make this difficult but also exciting decision to let him finish his performance career on a high, with happiness, memories, and while he is in good health.
“I will always cherish the unbreakable bond that led us to achieving our goals, through to his
big finale in Tokyo. Sanceo will continue to be adored in this next chapter of his life with his owners, Alice Womble-Heitmann and Dr. Mike Heitmann on their breathtaking ranch in Hempstead, Texas, where they have welcomed his return home.
Sabine and Sanceo had a big victory in Wellington in 2021 prior to the Olympics. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Walking into the barn every day without his cheerful face will take a little getting used to, but I know in my heart this is the best decision for him and what we owe him. In these past three months together, we have just enjoyed each other’s company, as I reflected on the journey that we have been on and how special this horse has been to me and my life.
“His kindness and intelligence has still shone through each day; still fascinating me and inspiring me. We had such a strong partnership and together with his perfectionist mind and his incredible talent, we have made memories that will last a lifetime.
Sanceo competing in the freestyle in Tokyo.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank his wonderful owners, Alice and Mike, as I was so fortunate to have shared Sanceo’s journey with them.
They have always made me feel like Sanceo was also my horse, going as far as to say that I could keep him with me here in California.
“But a retirement with them, on their beautiful 1,000-acre ranch just feels right for our one in a million. They have such love for the sport, but Sanceo’s happiness has always come first and I’m so grateful for their belief in us and their friendship through these wonderful years.
“His legacy will continue through his breeding duties, as he spends this next chapter of his life on the ranch; a scene so special and fitting for our beautiful boy. He will always have a very special place in my heart and I look forward to many more visits with him.
“Our journey has been a team effort so I take pride in dedication another post in the future to the amazing team behind us.”
