That makes sense. Thank you.
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I didn’t quit, I never joined to begin with.
I’ve spent a lot of time at rated dressage and h/j shows. Very few trainers and riders treat their horses in a way that makes me want to be a part of that world. Maybe I will take the time to become a steward where I can enforce the rules as written and maybe have a little bit of a say in new rules, but for now I am not going to give my money to an organization that I don’t see as caring for horse welfare.
I am content to stay home or show at schooling shows and improve my horses with clinics rather than take shortcuts to win ribbons
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At a recognized dressage show, you needed to talk to the TD. Who would nowadays (as in, within the past 5 years to my certain knowledge) have DQ’d the ride if there was visible blood.
TD at a recognized show is generally something of an outsider. They usually don’t seem to care much who they offend. But they are the one you need to talk to, not someone in the show office, who may well have their own agenda. They are usually pretty recognizable as they have their credentials hanging round their neck.
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This was a h/j show.
Yes, you are correct, I did conflate Demerara with Dressurfrau’s first post. Apologies for that confusion, thinking that Demerara was organizing a mass quit, and/or just her own quit (I since saw that she isn’t a USEF member).
However, the confusion is still there because of the way Demerara presented her information, without specifying how her situation differed from what was being discussed. Completely different issue, plus no knowledge if there was action or not, but neither point was clarified until later. That undermines the discussion in progress about convicted abusers, imo. Just state the facts and the differences, and don’t make it look as if it is something that it isn’t.
I will say that if the process of handling abuse complaints were more transparent, there would be more confidence that there is a process, and that it is making a difference. And less concern that things are being ignored.
Obviously at this moment no one knows what is happening behind the scenes. Unless they hear directly from someone who was involved in the process in some way.
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Possibly the lack of transparency is due to a concern with ‘embarrassing’ people who are the subject of sanctions. But I think this concern is misplaced. If someone is guilty of some true abuse, accountability goes a long way – name & shame. Just as the FEI does with yellow cards. The subject of the sanctions can make a statement that they will learn and change.
But hiding the truth of who is abusing from the horse show public, who needs and wants to know, is working against cleaning up abuse, imo. The public should have the right to make informed choices.
Too often substantiated charges of various kinds of abuse, against animals and humans, generates far too much concern with protecting the abusers. IMO and life experience.
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The fact that you are a “pro trainer” who has, by your own admission, never taken lessons and are not a member, nor do you want to be a member of USEF, makes your concern about USEF rules seem a little weird.
I have the utmost respect for Mary Knowlton, do you know her? She is the one of best advocates for people and horses, under the USEF umbrella, that I have had the pleasure of communicating with.
I think it’s great that you want to help horse welfare in USEF by becoming a Steward or TD, but you have to join the organization and get some experience as more than a horse show photographer to begin that process.
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What? Absolutely not. I regularly take lessons, not sure why you think I’ve never taken lessons. Just because I’m not a member doesn’t mean I don’t have decades of experience training horses and doesn’t mean I’m not educated about horse welfare. I care because USEF is the largest show organization in the country and there’s a lot of work to be done in regards to equine welfare at their shows. I care because I care about the horses.
Mary seems great, but this problem takes more than one person to solve.
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I did not say or infer that Mary alone could solve the issue.
On your website you say that you have never taken lessons. Clinics, to most people aren’t considered a substitute for regular lessons. They are clinics, which can be an important, but not necessary, addition to “formal lessons”.
"Lauren started in the industry early at twelve years old at a boarding stable cleaning stalls, turning out horses, and doing general barn chores. That job quickly evolved into grooming and riding for owners that didn’t have the time to make it out to the barn on a regular basis. Over the next few years, Lauren amassed a clientele of horses from all walks of life that needed extra riding, grooming, and eventually training. Lauren had the good fortune of riding many talented horses with impressive show records, and her riding education progressed significantly, even absent formal riding lessons. She was able to learn how a proper leg yield, collected canter, and gymnastic felt simply from hours in the saddle with these incredible teachers. She took the education she acquired from finished horses, and started passing it along as she expanded her services to include starting and training of young horses. By the time she was eighteen, Lauren had a full-time training business focusing on starting horses, riding young horses, and rehabilitating troubled horses.
. You say there that you have studied with, which I guess you mean you have gone to clinics with, a few well known names.
Also that you have trained horses for Olympians etc…
Lauren has ridden everything from Grand Prix mounts (in both jumpers and dressage!) to pleasure horses. Every horse has something to teach, and she remains a passionate student. Lauren has learned from the best people in many disciplines - jumpers (Chris Kappler, Daniel Zilla), dressage (Gerd Heuschmann), and natural horsemanship (Monty Roberts). She’s worked for a diverse set of clientele - Olympians, breeders, boarding stables, veterinarians, trainers of all disciplines, and private owners whose goals range from trail riding around their neighborhood to winning at the Grand Prix level. This extensive experience allows Lauren to create a successful path for you to achieve your goals - however modest or lofty they may be.
Again, I think that your desire to become a USEF Steward or TD is a worthwhile goal. Join USEF and get going! COTH has several TDs judges and Stewards that post here. They can help you on the way.
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Sure, I didn’t take lessons regularly as a teenager while I was riding horses for other people.
I’m so sorry that my modest upbringing and experience from 20(!) years ago is insufficient for me to be knowledgeable on equine welfare. 
“Working for” someone != training for them.
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The people I rode for when I was I kid would be surprised to know that, because I rode their fancy horses, I was “training” for them. They were teaching me, or I wouldn’t have been allowed anywhere near their expensive horses.
I believe that you do care about horses. Most all of us here do. I think that your desire to make a difference by becoming involved in USEF as an official is a great goal. Learning the rule book is step #1.
It is not easy to do, but the people who have the determination (and the time) to go through the lengthy process to become a licensed USEF official should be respected. They do make a difference (see the steward that had Devin Ryan removed from the show grounds of Hampton Classic.)
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No, not likely to cancel.
First, I’m not sure how to measure success near term - charging more abusers or not many? Setting up a well thought out program/process with tracking etc? Issuing more yellow cards?
Second, though I truly dislike the world walking around with phone in hand, I will admit that it has resulted in a lot of open eyes. This and people with courage will put pressure on the players.
Third, the true scope of USEF is huge in terms of breeds/disciplines, etc. Each of these has its own issues of rough training/abuse/ performance enhancing. Some type of divide and conquer approach would seem to make sense.
USEF wont notice or miss me when I do leave. Will I renew next winter? who knows but decision will be more likely due to personal things.
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Usef is such a big organization its hard to compete without it - in more ways than just dressage. You can also get a really cheap insurance plan through it, and it’s required for bring a judge or a steward.
They have pathways that you can report abuse to and it is investigated. And after Dec 1 abuse that happens outside competition can be considered.
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Only for you.
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LOL,
Sometimes the only abuse that happens on longing is to my hands and fingers.
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Wow. You came into a dead thread and picked up a post that is 10 months old, just to snark and try to pick a completely pointless fight. Alrighty then.
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Not likely to cancel.
If you have ever been brave enough to click into the comment section on a FB video, you will find that every single video with a horse doing anything is “abusive.”
Having known trainers who use local shows for “nobody will test so we can show this green horse on ace” rounds, at least the USEF has a system.
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To be fair, a new member replied to it, bringing it back up.
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The post was revived by a new poster, it’s pretty easy to miss when these dead threads are revived if you’re not looking closely at the date.
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Thank you, that’s exactly what happened.
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