by Nancy Jaffer | May 6, 2020
Can’t get out to shop for a horse lover’s Mother’s Day present?
“Nuzzle Up” by Cynthia Sheptow
Teenage dynamo Shya Beth has created an online gallery of some really lovely equine art from around the world. She represents more than 40 artists from not only North America, but also Italy France and the Netherlands.
Featured is artwork for less than $150 (with a few special ones in the mix).. A percentage of the proceeds will go to Mylestone Equine Rescue in Warren County and Shya’s Blue Jean Horse project.
She has been working with UPS so collectors can have shipping costs calculated ahead of time, making it easier to shop. The gallery is at artofthehorsegallery.net. The art is available through Sunday, May 10, in case the date has slipped your mind.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 6, 2020
The eventing portion of the North American Youth Championships in Montana was cancelled last month, and today the dressage and show jumping competitions in Traverse City, Mich., follwed suit to make a clean sweep of the international fixture that has been so important in the development of many young riders.
The decision was made by the U.S. Equestrian Federation, Equestrian Canada and the Mexican Equestrian Federation, with support of the FEI (international equestrian federation).
Although the dressage and jumping was not scheduled until August, it was a victim of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding international travel as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the significant reduction of qualifying opportunities for both dressage and jumping athletes in Canada, Mexico and the United States. It was obvious that horse and athlete combinations would not be able to properly prepare, qualify, or travel effectively for the event.
The Michigan facility will hold other shows this summer, including the American Gold Cup, which previously was offered at Old Salem Farm in New York.
USEF had considered whether to extend the careers of juniors by giving them an extra year because of this lost 2020 show season, so they could participate in age-related competitions such as NAYC if they missed their chance this year..
“USEF was not interested in changing,” said commented U.S. Hunter Jumper Association President Mary Babick, then added, “I would say, `Stay tuned’,” She noted it’s a confusing issue, asking “Where do you stop?” explaining the question comes up about including extensions for pony riders and the younger juniors as well.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 5, 2020
The September Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament–which offers the world’s richest show jumping grand prix–has been cancelled due to the Covid 19 virus. The summer’s other events at the facility in Calgary, Alberta Canada were cancelled previously. The Calgary Stampede, the province’s other big horse-oriented attraction, was scrapped last month.
What’s next to be called off? The North American Fall Indoor Circuit? In the season that is rapidly disappearing, anything is possible. But let’s hope not.
The flagship Spruce Meadows fixture would have celebrated its 45th anniversary, with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on hand among other featured entertainment.
“Spruce Meadows, by way of its insights into recent third-party economic impact studies, fully understands that by canceling its five Spruce Meadows show jumping tournaments, there is a widespread economic impact.
“This is particularly true as it relates to the 560 full time jobs, the $45 million in wages and the nearly $90 million in tourism- related economic activity that are attributed to the Spruce Meadows International Show Jumping season,” noted a statement from the organization.
“During these times of enormous health and economic challenges caused by the pandemic, we all strive to remain positive, engaged and be productive members of our community. Spruce Meadows has always been a place of inclusion, caring and safety.
“In these times of global uncertainty, the health and well-being of our sponsors and their employees (many of whom have been with us for our entire history), our competitors, officials, volunteers, fans, the media, Spruce Meadows’ staff and the community at large continues to be our top priority.”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 4, 2020
The U.S. Eventing Association Cross-Country Safety Subcommittee, formed three years ago, has come out with a series of recommendations aimed at cutting down the number of accidents in the discipline.
“It is not a realistic goal to say there will be zero accidents, a realistic goal is to minimize the risk of the sport. I think it is okay to compete in a high-risk sport and not to be okay with accidents or fatalities as long as you are doing everything you can to minimize risk,” said Jon Holling, who chairs USEA’s cross-country safety subcommittee.
“When an accident happens, you don’t have to completely overhaul everything, but you have to calmly look back at it and say ‘What are the problems and where do we have it right?’”
He added, “The reality is that the officials have been doing a pretty good job, and I think that a lot of what we have been doing has been making things safer. We just need to find where we can do even better.”
The subcommittee has four proposals.
“Not any one of these things is going to fix the problem. In reality, it is a high-risk sport and we are looking at minimizing the risk,” Jon said.
“I think these four things can help minimize that risk – having different layers of safety or regulation helps improve the safety of the sport.”
The first idea is increasing Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER) and rider categorization. After an analysis of recent accidents in the U.S., Jon believes riders should have more of a base of knowledge and ability than what the current MER standards demand.
“We looked at records of very successful upper level riders – Olympic caliber riders – and what we found that in most cases (virtually all of them) did two to three times more than what our minimum requirements are to be able to move a horse up,” said Jon.
“When we looked at that, we said, ‘Maybe we don’t have right what we are requiring for the base of the sport.’ We felt pretty strongly, and the data confirmed, that one way we can increase the skill of riders and the horsemanship and relationship between the horses and the riders is to raise the minimum eligibility requirements. In a nutshell, people will have to do more at a level before they can move up.”
While each national level has a different set of requirements, a good example is the Intermediate level – currently horses are only required to achieve MERs at four Preliminary level horse trials (and one can be with 20 cross-country jumping penalties).
“I had a horse this year entered to move up to Intermediate, and at first, I thought maybe I hadn’t done enough Preliminary horse trials with him, but when I looked, I had done nine and all of them were clear and good,” Jon mentioned.
“It just shows you – as an Advanced Level rider – I am debating moving this young horse up and I have already done over double what was the minimum requirement. Just because you have done the minimum doesn’t mean it is right, but it gives you a baseline idea of what should be done.”
The subcommittee is still working out the final wording of the proposal, which would then need to go forward to the appropriate committees of the USEA, including the Board of Governors before moving to the U.S. Equestrian Federation, but the proposal would also include rider categorization or licensing similar to the FEI (international equestrian federation).
The subcommittee also proposed a rule change to have show jumping rounds at Training Level and above during which five rails or more are knocked down be penalized with compulsory retirement when show jumping precedes cross-country. A similar rule already is in place in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. The subcommittee worked with EquiRatings and the statistical analysis showed that there is a significant correlation for those who had four rails down in show jumping with horse falls on cross-country.
After the 2008 safety crisis, wording was added to the USEF Rules For Eventing under EV112 Dangerous Riding, which allows for the president of the ground jury to designate one or several deputies to spot dangerous riding on cross-country. These deputies can include eventing officials who aren’t at the event in an official capacity, USEA ICP Certified Instructors at Level III or IV, and riders who have represented the U.S. at the Olympics, World Championships or Pan American Games. The deputies are provided with radios and red flags and can stop riders after consulting with the ground jury.
Jon said this rule worked really well for a while, but hasn’t been utilized terribly well recently. The subcommittee voted to send a memo to all officials reminding them to use this tool, especially if there is a certain area they can’t see on cross-country or if they are spread thin with show jumping and dressage going on at the same time.
If officials see dangerous riding, they have the power to penalize riders 25 points, eliminate them or issue a warning card. The rider can also be added to the USEF Watch List.
The fourth initiative is the Frangible Technology Fundraiser launched on March 2 to provide funding directly to organizers to build nearly 500 frangible tables at all USEA recognized events across the country.
“The Frangible Technology Fund is just one piece,” continued Holling. “Having that table be frangible isn’t going to solve the problem by itself, but it will help minimize the risk.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 29, 2020
A man who proved he can find answers for some of the equestrian industry’s most difficult issues has been nominated for the presidency of the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
Approval of Tom O’Mara is expected when the USEF board votes on his nomination June 22-23 at its mid-year meeting, which will be held virtually. Up to 1,000 viewers, including media representatives and federation members, will be invited to tune in.
Tom O’Mara has been nominated for USEF president. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Tom, a former resident of Rumson who now lives in Ocala, Fla., has a reputation as a problem-solver. It was obvious that USEF President Murray Kessler had great confidence in Tom when he appointed him as head of the federation’s Drugs and Medication/Lab Review Task Force after an embarrassing incident that called the operation of the organization’s testing laboratory into question.
Tom oversaw the process that led to resolution of the issue, which involved forging a partnership with the University of Kentucky, helping restore confidence in the drug testing that is an integral part of the federation’s mission.
He also served as co-chair of the National Collegiate Equestrian Association’s national advisory board, of which he was the co-chair and now remains an active member, leading the way in saving the NCAA equestrian college program when it was threatened. In addition, Tom was on the important Competitions Task Force.
After the election, Murray will remain as president until his term ends in January, while Tom will continue in his current post as USEF secretary/treasurer for the same period.
Tom, who worked as an investment banker, has been involved in equestrian sport with his family for decades. His wife, Liz, and their four children, Casey, Abby, Meg, and T.J., have all been riders of some prominence. The Dover Saddlery/USEF Medal Finals were won by Meg (2012) and T.J. (2016), who also took first place in the Platinum Performance/ USEF Talent Search.
Judy Sloan, the 2020 USEF Nominating Committee chairperson, said, “Given Tom’s diverse and deep background in finance, governance, community leadership, and equestrian sport, we feel he is the ideal candidate to guide the Federation’s Board and Management team into the future.”
Murray, who decided not to run for a second term after becoming CEO of a pharmaceutical company, stated “Tom is passionate about equestrian sport, is deeply experienced on USEF committees and the board, has unique experience with intercollegiate equestrian sports, and understands the importance of each of our 29 breeds and disciplines. He also brings real-world business experience to the position, which I found incredibly important over the past four years.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 28, 2020
It will be two strikes and out for the Tokyo Olympics if the continuing COVID-19 crisis means the Games can’t be held in 2021.
Yoshiro Mori, president of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee told Japanese publication Nikkan Sports the Olympics won’t be postponed a second time because of the pandemic.If the disease means it can’t be held in July and August 2021, it would have to be cancelled. It would be the first time that something other than war had cancelled the Games.
Kentaro Iwata, a professor of infectious disease at Kobe University in Japan, said last week he believes it is unlikely the Games will be held, largely because of the control measures that would have to be in place by that time. Other experts have expressed doubt that the Games could be staged safely without development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“In my view, it would be difficult to hold the Olympics unless effective vaccines are developed,” Japan Medical Association President Yoshitake Yokokura told reporters Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.
Last week, a member of the International Olympic Committee said the Games need a rethink if they are going to continue. Read more here
