COTH should update. I’m a strong supporter of SS but this situation – with an immediate suspension despite no allegations of sexual/physical harm or allegations involving a minor – did not seem appropriate.
Per the US Center for SS: What are Temporary Measures?
Temporary Measures are tools that allow the Center flexibility to mitigate potential risks to the
sport community and to protect the well-being of individuals. They are implemented on a
case-by-case basis and tailored to the specific needs of a matter. They can include many
different tools, including, for example, no-contact orders, restrictions on travel or event
attendance, restrictions on interactions with minors and temporary suspensions.
I agree that it seemed a bit rash to place on the list with seemingly little investigation and no risk of harming minors. But the process worked and worked quickly (4-5 days?) so it gives me some faith that the system works. Ali was smart to address the accusations head on - probably helped.
He did the right thing. Of course none of the media (US and European) that ran stories on the allegations and suspension are printing follow up. This situation is the type that gives anti-SS people ammunition.
Reasonable point, but I suspect that people will pretty much forget about it unless someone chooses to keep churning it up or there’s a weird twist to the story.
(if anyone is curious about my removed post, it’s the same as this one except that I decided it would make more sense to include the quote from Bitsa’s post for better context)
I think it’s unfair to pin people as anti-SS. I take things with a reasonable grain of salt. GHM outright bragged IN PRINT of his exploits. Many people don’t speak fondly of their time traveling the globe with GHM.
RF was accused of “misconduct” yet people are running rampant on the interwebs claiming it’s this or that, while no one else has come forward & people I know personally are in absolute disbelief. Does not mean he is innocent, but the assumptions put out their by people who have never even seen RF or SF in person is laughable.
AN, while I don’t like for other reasons, was cleared in a matter of days. How can we trust SS to do the right thing with proven inconsistencies? I am ALL for minor/groom protection (those without a voice, so to speak), but it needs to be better than this. I’d love to see the USEF do something, not an outside organization.
I’ve also been waiting for the USEF to actually drug test 1,2,3rd place in the rated hunters, but we all know why that will never happen. And probably much for the same exact reason.
I am perplexed about the reaction to the RF temporary suspension. Bottom line… the investigation is ongoing. I am not amongst those who know what the underlying allegations are… so I’m not going to assume anything just yet. But it’s fair to say that he does not have the same reputation as other big names in show jumping who have been investigated, and then given lifetime bans. Soooo… folks in the sport should let this one play out, and try and refrain from judgement until the investigation is final.
It’s also bizarre to me that so many folks still don’t seem to realize SafeSport is much broader than sexual abuse. There are other issues that can land folks in trouble. The training makes this quite clear. Most people should realize this by now.
I’ve popped back on the forums to post on SS issues in the wake of the John Geddert indictment and suicide yesterday (he was a major coach in gymnastics for folks who don’t follow these issues closely). Geddert in particular was profoundly emotionally and physically abusive to athletes.
I do have some concerns about certain aspects of SafeSport. In particular… it seems like there is an argument to be made to NOT publish anyone’s name and particular suspension on the lists until AFTER an investigation has been concluded, and decision reached. But… there are arguments against that too. Their is a safety and risk reduction benefit if the public is aware of the fact that there are active investigations going on with respect to certain coaches. But it’s hard to “unring a bell” if people are later cleared… It’s a very tough issue.
As most on these forums know… I strongly support SafeSport. I see the need for it. But I read a lot, and look at the issue well beyond just equestrian related sport. And there is DEFINITELY a really sad link between charismatic elite coaches, Olympic sports, and NGBs who turned a blind eye for waaaaayyyy too long. The issue spans multiple Olympic sports, and various stories are really sad and disturbing. And for that reason, SafeSport is needed. Sad but true. If each NGB tried to approach the issue on their own, it would be ineffective. Seriously. The worst of the worst would be protected from allegations… as they have for decades already Think about it.
But I cringe at some of the missteps and publicly bungled cases that keep on happening periodically. Not ideal, for sure.
I hope now that his name has been brought up (again), though he has been removed from the suspension, it will result in people being aware that he does hire a registered sex offender as a course designer.
I hope that people who attend Ali Nifofushan’s shows will speak out and demand that he discontinue hiring a registered sex offender to work for him.
Many kids are participating in these shows and parents may be unaware that John Manning is a registered sex offender (because why would any parent think that a registered sex offender would be allowed to work a USEF show?)
@skydy - what is it about Southern California, sex offenders, awful tragic stories relate to the sport, people willfully turning a blind eye, and SafeSport complaints?
It’s awful. I waded back into the other thread because of the whole Bob McDonald article in the OC Register on Feb 5th… and it is all just heartbreaking and stunning to me all over again.
Hey, we’re not all bad. And maybe no worse than other parts of the country with a large horse industry. It was a bit free wheeling out here in the sixties and seventies and there is a certain reputation, but trust me when I say that not everyone was doing all the things. My dad used to take us to Hollywood Blvd on Saturday nights in the early seventies, so there’s that, but I wasn’t allowed to go to horse shows on my own.
It should be noted that John Manning is not from California. He was at a girl’s prep school in MA and his sex offender status is in FL. His current residence is listed in MA on the Safe Sport list.
I think I’m just really saddened after looking at the Bob McDonald case again. And it’s just one more of these awful stories from that era and that part of the horse community.
I know Rachel Rielle’s father (James Druck - back whenher name was Lisa Druck) had Henry the Hawk killed for the insurance money in 1982. Was Mr. Nilforushan part of it? How old is he? He doesn’t look old.
It will never cease to amaze me that one person could wind up being connected to two such gigantic and completely unrelated scandals in one lifetime. What are the odds??
Okay that was WILD. Poor girl who got attached to the horse jeez, what a whirlwind of a story and what a crazy coincidence the two bay geldings looked enough alike!
Think about it.
jeez, what a whirlwind of a story and what a crazy coincidence the two bay geldings looked enough alike!