News

Archive for December, 2009

In this meeting (Thursday morning), Ron Danta and Geoff Teal asked for suggestions regarding a trainers guide that will be created. It’s a resource for new and young trainers that will include information on longeing, schooling ring etiquette, marketing, finding liablity insurance, etc. There was a suggestion to include a listing of horse related legal assistance (which could also include immigration advice for stable/groom help), as well as tax accountants who know agricultural tax laws. It was a positive meeting that included a lot of interaction with the audience.

At yesterday’s Equitation Task Force meeting, there was a collective sigh of relief. On Monday, a rule change proposal was brought forward that would entirely change the USEF Medal Final qualifications. A regional finals format was proposed (like the Maclay format), with the goal being to limit the number of entries at the Medal Final, as well as decrease the number of underqualified riders who can’t get around a national finals-type course. Fortunately, after much open debate, ranting and under-one’s-breath muttering, the Task Force came back with a proposal that was acceptable to the masses.

The biggest protest came from those who believe that the USEF Medal Final shouldn be open to all. If riders who qualify come underprepared, then that’s their problem, but everyone should be allowed to compete. Trying to cull the numbers beforehand makes it too similar to the Maclay, which many riders don’t try to qualify for, due to the regional format.

There were others who felt that the new qualifying point cutoffs catered to a small percentage of riders who can campaign on the winter circuits and throughout the year.

Instead, the proposal being voted upon will change the saturday warm-up to an elimination round, during which riders will jump a simplified course (easier than sunday’s course, but tougher than the original warm-up courses) and everyone who does not have a major fault (a refusal, a trot on course, a stirrup loss, etc.)will move on to Sunday’s rounds. Riders who move on will start with a clean slate. This change will make sunday’s class run faster, will eliminate those who had little chance of getting around on Sunday and will still enable them to have the chance to compete at Harrisburg. I think this is a great way to streamline the class and will still enable to cream to rise to the top at one of our country’s most famed championships.

Yesterday I sat in on my new committee’s meeting, the Youth Council. I had been on the marketing and communications committee, but since the USHJA’s inception, the marketing staff at the USHJA’s headquarters has grown to six. So the powers-that-be decided it would be best to reassign those of us on the M&C Committee to various other committees that could make use of our marketing skills.

The feedback from the meeting was that it was an active, lively discussion. Having never attended a Youth Council meeting before, I had nothing to compare it to. It was great to meet everyone face-to-face, and I volunteered to write an article regarding the youth scholarship. I’ll keep you posted when that comes out.

Overall, the group is made up of enthusiastic supporters of youth in our organization, understanding they are the future of our sport. I look forward to working with them!

Well almost. At today’s showcase luncheon, I received recognition for my work for the Marketing and Communications Committee. What a surprise! I am very honored. It’s been a fun year working within the organization and I look forward to working on my new committee, the Youth Council.

Last night was the awards banquet for the USHJA. Joe Fargis and Larry Langer received the Lifetime Achievement Award. There were some great videos for each of these accomplished horsemen. Many of you know that I’ve done lessons with Joe. He is one of the kindest people I know and even though I don’t see him often, he always greets me with a warm smile.

I had the pleasure of sitting next to Paul Cronin and Nancy Jaffer. Paul is a legendary teacher, who learned from Vladimir Littauer and Gordon Wright, two of he forefathers of our forward style of riding. You probably know Nancy’s work; she writes for Practical Horseman, covering the top events in our sport (Olympics, WEG, every major competition in our sport). I had a fabulous time speaking with each and really enjoyed myself.

The awards part of the dinner was great. For those who are showing with us, please consider the USHJA’s Sportmanship Awards and the Foundation Awards. Several members of our local show community received awards and I truly think that it’s within many of our own riders’ grasp.

Here’s a photo of David O’Connor, president of the US Equestrian Federation (and Olympic Gold Medalist), speaking about drug testing and limits in competition.

This morning started early – 7am – with a breakfast meeting hosted by Geoff Teal for those in the sport who want to be heard. By that I mean those managers of B and C rated horse shows, those who show locally, basically anyone who is not competing in or managing shows on a national level.

Some of the thoughts expressed included a need for greater representation and recognition for B and C rated shows. In addition, the governance of our organization (zone representation, the process by which members are appointed or elected to committees) was a hot topic. A suggestion for restructuring the zones was well received. Managers of smaller shows are concerned that new standards for shows will create financial hardship. There were a lot of suggestions and it will be interesting to see how the zone and committee meetings play out.

We’re now in a general rule change forum and drug testing is the subject drawing the most fire. Will report more later…

I’m here in St Petersburg, Florida at the US Hunter Jumper Association’s annual meeting. Today we are covering rule change proposals. This is a fascinating insight into our national governing body’s processes and how changes to our rules occur. If you are a member of the US Equestrian Federation, you should have received a booklet that details the proposed rule changes. Please read it! Some of these rule changes could affect you (pony hunters, equitation, hunter classics, and the big one: changes to the current competition rating system). There is still time to comment on these changes. Send an email to Bill Moroney, USHJA President (go to USHJA.org for contact info). Voting by the board of directors occurs this Thursday, at which point the approved changes will be submitted to the USEF for voting in January.

If you show at USEF shows or have any intention of doing so in the future, I encourage you to educate yourself regarding our sport and get involved!

Rule change proposals can also be viewed at usef.org.

More news from the meeting later!

Congratulations to Ali Anderson on her recent lease of Goose, a sweet, talented TB gelding. Good luck in the coming show season!