Trying to make sense out of “a crazy year”

by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 24, 2020

2020 is the year that masks became a “must” addition to every show-goer’s wardrobe.

“This for certain has been a crazy year that tested us all,” U.S. Equestrian Federation President Murray Kessler said as he opened the board’s mid-year virtual meeting Monday.

You can’t accuse him of exaggeration. It’s enough to cite the example he gave: When USEF licensed shows reopened the week of June 1 from their 11-week Covid lockdown, there were 29 competitions with 4,000 horses. During that week in 2019, there were more licensed shows drawing 11,000 horses.

But for that first week in June, more horses took part in the shows that were held than competed in those fixtures the previous year. At the same time, state and local regulations in many areas put a ceiling on the number of competitors and those associated with them who are allowed on the showgrounds.

It was emphasized that although USEF staff has been working from home, employees have been busy. To crank up the season again, it took more than 300 emergency rule modifications and rescheduling (there were 31 eventing competitions rescheduled, for instance.)

Despite losing revenue through the lockdown and the beginning of the start-up, USEF CEO Bill Moroney suggested it is possible the organization can get to the end of the year financially “at a break-even” by watching expenses as showing ramps up even more.

“If in the second half of the year you have 20 percent more shows, with 75 percent capacity, then you have an opportunity to make up a little ground,” said Murray.

But the federation to a great extent will be operating in unfamiliar territory.

“How in the heck do you plan next year?” Murray wondered.

“It’s going to be complicated. You’re going to have to think through this volatility.”

At the same time, he pointed out, “then it’s just how quickly the industry bounces back. At least from the organizers I’ve spoken to, there isn’t a demand-lack. The horse show community wants to get back to work. Most of the events that are running are sold-out.”

A new strategic plan went into effect when Murray was elected four years ago. As a corporate CEO (he now heads a health care products firm), he drew on his business background to energize USEF, which, among other things, has put the emphasis on a “greater consumer focus,” more than doubled its membership, dramatically increased benefits (including health care) for members and outsourced its drug testing after a controversy.

Leading the way to a solution for the troubled test lab was Tom O’Mara, who headed a task force that arranged for the University of Kentucky to take over the process. No surprise that Tom was selected by the nominating committee to succeed Murray and voted in by the board at the meeting, though he won’t take office until Murray’s term ends in January. (Find out more about Tom by clicking here.)

USEF President Murray Kessler.

Concerns brought forward to the meeting included the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s request that the USEF Pony Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park Aug. 3-9 be cancelled, but the decision at this point is to go ahead.

Bill noted there are 330 entries so far, and social distancing can be managed.

“If you can’t meet the protocols (like wearing masks when not on a horse) this is not the event for you this year,” Bill commented, noting “it will be a very different event this year.” That means no VIP or other extra-curricular opportunities. It will be focused on the competition itself.

Requests to revise the Horse of the Year Awards program did not prompt changes. As Bill pointed out, it was just “A shortened season,” with 11 weeks of competition missing. In the USEF archives, the results will come with an asterisk. Adjustments have to be made according to circumstances. Major League Baseball, for instance, will have its own shortened season.

Murray noted that people still got gold medals at the 1984 Olympics, even though the USSR and other Soviet bloc countries didn’t participate.

“People like to be inspired; people like to be recognized,” he said, speaking in favor of continuing the 2020 HOTY program.

The concept of giving riders who would age out in 2020 another year also was turned down. A move for “junior year reinstatement” would be complex because it would have to filter down to all the different age divisions, but it does appear to have stimulated discussions for more in way of Under 25 competitions in different disciplines.

Rule changes were not handled at the annual meeting as usual, but instead were moved to the mid-year session.

Those passed included dropping the age from 8 to 6 for a permanent measurement card for a horse or pony, a requirement that green hunters must compete three times for points and money to count, and a mandate that USEF must be notified within 24 hours if a horse at a show is placed in isolation due to illness.

Although there were no controversial major changes, discussing them and working out the nuances is always a process no matter what is on the table. Diane Pitts sighed over the proliferation of rules, comparing it to “creating a tax code.” Tom mentioned the possibility of organizing a small task force “to look at the rule book situation.” That should be a fun project.

Tom O’Mara with show jumper BEezie Madden at the USEF’s Horse of the Year awards.

“Diversity & Inclusion” was a hot topic, with a recommended action plan unveiled. It would include a Diversity & Inclusion website for USEF, along with a commitment statement, resource guides and training. There would also be a D&I Thought Leadership Group “across the industry to help inform and guide action planning.”

Although the number of minorities participating has increased since the organization was 96 percent white in 2000, there is room for encouraging much more involvement.

The action plan calls for evaluating grant opportunities and working with grassroots organizations. As board member Diane pointed out, “A lot of this may come down to access,” referring to the fact that many people across the diversity spectrum simply don’t have the opportunity to be near horses or take lessons that could get them started in the equestrian world. Finances often are a barrier to getting started.

She suggested, “if we could put our money where our mouth is” by providing grants or greater access, it would be “a huge statement.”

Lisa Gorretta, a board member who also is president of the U.S. Dressage Federation, thinks the increase in the number of minority participants is tied to the country’s economic improvement.

“This is an expensive sport regardless of the kind of activity you have in it. Where people without economic means have a problem participating in this sport is, unfortunately, the absence of what we had 40-50 years ago when I got involved in the sport, and that is a ton of riding academies,” she commented.

“There are some very successful…opportunities for youth, but there aren’t enough of them. The expense of maintaining those programs is astronomical.”

Murray, meanwhile, believes, “it’s more than access,” asking, “Are we truly an inclusive organization…?”

He said Vicki Lowell, chief marketing and content officer, will “get this resource center and section of the website up quickly that makes a statement that (diversity and inclusion are) a priority for our organization.”