by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 18, 2020
Reacting to the Eventing Nation website’s “attack” on the use of the name Plantation Field for the major eventing series in Unionville, Pa., property owner Cuyler Walker announced on Sept. 16 that he is cancelling the lease of his land for the competitions.
The Plantation Field International Horse Trials, where competition begins tomorrow, will continue through the weekend, but Denis Glaccum, president of Plantation Field Equestrian Events, said he and Walker “will not accept censoring of our First Amendment rights.”
Eventing Nation had cited the “troubling associations inherent in the name Plantation Field. Specifically, the word `plantation.’ ”
In an editorial, the website maintained that “Asking people of color to come visit, to spectate, volunteer, or compete, at a place called Plantation is insensitive at best and works against our efforts to implement more diversity in the sport.”
At the same time, it also was noted that no one associated with the event had an objective to offend with use of the name. And Eventing Nation pointed out Plantation Field proceeds benefited Work to Ride, a program for disadvantaged urban youths that offers them an opportunity to ride and work with horses.
Then after learning today that Walker was cancelling the lease, Eventing Nation posted this message: “The loss of this event is a significant one for our sport. Our intention was to open a discussion, guided by the governing organizations, to make sure diverse BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) would be welcomed and included in every area of eventing.
“We are deeply saddened that the property owner has chosen this path rather than join us in an open discussion about inclusivity as it reflects on the name of this iconic venue.”
Eventing Nation’s editor, Leslie Wylie, did not return a call seeking further comment.
A storm erupted on social media with word about why the lease was being cancelled, during a year when many events–including U.S. Eventing’s own American Eventing Championships–were not held as a result of the pandemic.
The U.S. Eventing board of governors decided in a recent meeting that it would not use the name Plantation Field in media releases or write-ups of the event. Glaccum contended the organization’s investigation found just two people who were offended by the name, neither were from the area.
USEA vice president of active athletes and board member Doug Payne, who did not attend that meeting, called the situation “demoralizing.”
He is, he said, “Absolutely dismayed with actions that have led to the removal of the venue and I think it’s a massive detriment to the sport going forward.”
Payne sent a letter to the USEA board, suggesting it should do “some serious looking inward. I think they need to about-face on this. They’re tasked with growing the sport and right now, and we’re cutting it down.
“Clearly, I want no exclusionary policies; you don’t want people getting pushed away. The impact here is a massive negative and I’m obviously disappointed between the USEA and Eventing Nation with their actions that led to this.”
The USEA CEO Rob Burk and its president, Max Corcoran, apparently took Payne’s advice, issuing a statement on Sept. 17 saying: “Having this historic competition close isn’t the right result for the sport, and the USEA is working hard to find a solution. The organizer and landowners operate exceptional events on a beautiful piece of land.”
Having seen the light, they noted, “We are deeply sensitive to the history of the word ‘plantation’ and its connection to slavery; however, this property has no known connections to slavery (the emphasis is mine) and was instead named after ‘plantings’ on the property.
“We understand that neither the organizer nor the landowners have ever intended to cause any discomfort related to the name of the event and to imply otherwise is a disservice to our organizers, landowners, and our sport. The USEA does not have the ability to require an event to change its name as we are required to carry the US Equestrian licensed name of the competition on our calendar of events. However, we are hopeful that an acceptable solution to this issue can be reached.”
Meanwhile,some of Eventing Nation’s sponsors dropped off in the fall-out of the lease cancellation. The website said it will be donating the vacated spaces to organizations doing good work in the equestrian world.
Prior to the issuance of the USEA’s statement, Glaccum said he was “extremely disappointed in the lack of leadership at the national level in dealing with this situation. This event welcomes riders from elementary to the 4* level at multiple competitions at the local, national and international level each year. It is also local to numerous professional riders including several Olympians. The loss of Plantation Field will be a huge loss to the entire equestrian community.”
So how did the iconic venue get its name?
In the 1930s, Plunkett Stewart, who had purchased the land in the early 20th century, allowed the Boy Scouts to plant hedges and trees there. The dictionary defines the word “Plantation” as “an area in which trees have been planted”. Colonial Pennsylvania considered properties less than 100 acres to be a farm, while more than that up to 1,000 acres was a plantation.
And what did the property have to do with slavery? Nothing, as was pointed out in the USEA statement. So why wasn’t that obvious in the first place?
Ironically, considering the current circumstances, the Unionville area is historically a Quaker community. The Quakers were one of the earliest abolitionist groups and fought against slavery. This area was also part of the Underground Railroad.
“What will other events think?” Glaccum wondered about the issue, which first arose in June. “This is how you treat someone?”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 17, 2020
Indoor competitions are in trouble in the Covid era, as cancellations pile up. This time, it’s the U.S. Dressage Finals.
The U.S. Dressage Federation’s premier event, scheduled for the Kentucky Horse Park in November, will not be held this year, it was announced today.
Although USDF President Lisa Gorretta explained that the board “considered every scenario and option,” she noted, “we simply could not be confident in our ability to overcome the obstacles beyond our control: the ever-changing picture of the pandemic from state to state, the requirements of the US Equestrian COVID-19 Action Plan to which the Kentucky Horse Park requires strict compliance, the stresses of deep cleaning the premises on the heels of the National Horse Show that would precede the arrival of our dressage horses, and the limitations of what we could provide for competitors, volunteers, and officials with the restrictions placed upon the Park itself.”
USDF plans to hold the finals at the park next year. Any competitor eligible for the 2020 finals, whether by placing or earning a qualifying wild card score, will be allowed to carry over their eligibility to the 2021 event. To be deemed “eligible,” competitors will still be required to complete a declaration and nomination for 2020. Declarations will remain open through the end of the 2020 regional championship season.
Prior to the announcement, trainer Heather Mason of Flying Change Farm in Tewksbury qualified her horse, Lincoln, for the I-2 class at the finals during today’s Region 8 competition. And then came the news.
“It’s disappointing for sure, but I do think it was probably the right move to make, because we don’t want to get down there and then have it cancelled, which happened to the Pony Finals,” said Heather. She pointed out that if the National Horse Show wound up experiencing Covid problems, it could have led to a last-minute cancellation of the dressage if plans were made to have it go ahead at the park.
The National is being allowed to utilize outdoor facilities at the park, but the dressage show is a week later when cold weather could really set in.
“It’s such a wonderful competition, but it’s not one you’d want to have outside,” Heather observed.
“A lot of people were torn about whether they were going or not. At least now people can focus on their Regionals and not be as stressed to try to qualify,” she noted.
Lisa stated, “I know that many of you are deeply disappointed, yet I hope that all of you will keep striving to achieve your riding and training goals. For some of you, perhaps this news will provide opportunities that were thought to be lost in the 2020 mayhem and now might allow you to plan to attend the Finals in 2021.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 15, 2020
A 4-year-old Atlantic County mare who had not been vaccinated was euthanized after contracting the state’s first 2020 reported case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a serious mosquito-borne illness.
EEE causes inflammation of the brain tissue and has a significantly higher risk of death in horses than the West Nile Virus, which affects the neurological system.
The disease is transmitted by a mosquito. The virus cycles between birds and mosquitoes, with horses and humans being incidental hosts. EEE infections in horses are not a significant risk factor for human infection because horses (like humans) are “dead-end” hosts for the virus. There have been no reported animal West Nile Virus cases in New Jersey this year.
In general, most regions in New Jersey have a reported mosquito population below the running five-year averages. The first EEE positive mosquito pool was detected in Atlantic County this year. Livestock owners are encouraged to vaccinate against WNV, EEE and other osquito-borne diseases.
“Animals that are vaccinated against EEE and West Nile Virus are much less likely to contract these diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes,” New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher said.
“We strongly encourage horse owners to stay current on vaccinations for their animals to help prevent them from contracting an illness that has the potential to be fatal to these animals.”
For more information about EEE in horses, visit the New Jersey Department of Agriculture web site at: http://bit.ly/1VE8lsm.
EEE and West Nile virus, like other viral diseases affecting a horse’s neurological system, must be reported to the state veterinarian at 609-671-6400 within 48 hours of diagnosis. The New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory is available to assist with EEE and WNV testing and can be reached at 609-406-6999 or via email – jerseyvetlab@ag.nj.gov.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 1, 2020
As the weather gets cooler, you’re ready to take your horse on the road a bit, but don’t want to show. That’s why it’s great to be in hunter/trail pace season, with plenty of opportunities in New Jersey to try this low-key, fun competition.
The Monmouth County Hunt will have two more themed paces this fall starting at their hunt kennels, 50 E. Branch Road, Allentown. On Oct. 11, the theme is tack sale and meet a foxhound. The final pace Nov. 1 offers thoroughbred challenge awards and a tailgate contest. All jumps have go-arounds.
There are three divisions, with the fee $55 for adults and $35 for juniors. Both English and western riders are welcome, with protective headgear, of course. For more information, go to this link
The Essex Foxhounds have added a pace Oct. 25 at their usual venue, Cedar Lane Farm on Homestead Road in Oldwick. For more on Essex, go to www.essexfoxhounds.org.
The Spring Valley Hounds’ hunter pace is Nov. 1 in Allamuchy, Warren County. There are six divisions, including a “fossil” section for which the ages of the two riders on a team must add up to 110. The fee is $50 per rider. Teams go out from 9 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. For details, go to http://www.springvalleyhounds.com/hunter-paces.html
There’s a grand prize of $500 for the best performance in two of the three Spring Valley paces this year.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 27, 2020
The Far Hills Race Meeting won’t be held this year, but people still have an excuse to come to beautiful Moorland Farm. American Express is bringing back the era of drive-ins by putting on three movie nights there this month, with admission set at $25 for a carload of friends or family.
Complimentary prepackaged concessions, including specialty popcorn, sweets, savory items and beverages from local businesses will be provided to four people in every car. Gates open at 7:30p.m., with the shows starting at 8:15 p.m.Sept. 10, 11 and 12. The films being screened are all family-friendly.
Tickets much be purchased using an American Express card. Proceeds will be donated to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation as part of a long-standing partnership with the foundation and in support of small businesses. For information about which movies will be on the giant screen and to buy tickets, go to this link
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 26, 2020
The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Zone 2 (NY, NJ, PA) Horse of the Year Hunter Championship has been cancelled.
Scheduled for Oct. 18, it originally was supposed to be held in Harrisburg, Pa., at the home of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. But that show was cancelled and a search for another venue didn’t work out.
The Zone 2 Committee looked at several options to host the Zone 2 HOTY at a different venue before making the decision to cancel. The hunter championship joins the Zone 2 jumper championship, which was to have been held in September at the Devon. Pa., showgrounds, in the dustbin of 2020.
