A dispute involving the name of the Plantation Field Horse Trials in Pennsylvania may have been solved with a decision from the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
Cuyler Walker, the owner of the picturesque property where the event is held, last year cancelled his lease with the competition organizer over the implication that the name “plantation” linked his family with racism. The Eventing Nation website had stirred up a hornet’s nest by citing “troubling associations” inherent in the word, and suggested the event’s name should be changed, contending it was “insensitive at best” while working against increasing diversity in the sport.
In reaction, the U.S. Eventing Association announced it would not use the name Plantation in press releases. However, after a furor erupted on social media when Cuyler reacted to the situation by cancelling the lease, USEA reversed course.
Phillip Dutton heads through the picturesque ruins that are a feature of the Plantation Field venue. Photo © 2020 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
In a statement, USEA noted that “Having this historic competition close isn’t the right result for the sport,” adding, “this property has no known connections to slavery and was instead named after ‘plantings’ on the property.” Riders were upset at the thought that one of their favorite fixtures would be cancelled.
This week, while USEF CEO Bill Moroney emphasized the organization’s commitment to its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan, he noted in a statement that, “decisions regarding venue and competition names are ultimately at the discretion and the responsibility of individual organizers.” That means Plantation can have both its name and its licenses.
Even after Cuyler cancelled the lease, the event still had two years to run under its contract. The question now is whether the USEF position taking the pressure off the name issue will encourage Cuyler to renew the lease beyond that term.
“It may help,” mused Denis Glaccum, president of the Plantation Field Equestrian Events, which run from spring through the fall.
“Let’s see what comes out of it.”