Might I suggest that NEITHER HoDV nor COTH are truly " hard hitting journalism" though I do agree that COTH has better quality overall. I would say both fit squarely under more of a rubric of “entertainment.” Over the years I have been pretty frustrated with the way COTH shies away from ticking off BNTs and sponsors when it comes to coverage of drugging/medication issues, for example.
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Liking this a million gazillion times.
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@AnastasiaBeaverhousen - mega dittos.
@Wingstem - you are a SUPERB writer. At the risk of being utterly juvenile, but in the interest of levity, I have only one question for you…
I just can’t resist asking it…
How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat yer meat?”
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Which is hilarious, because it’s a small, national-level event whose only mention in EN will be a link to the results - just like every other national level event that went on this past weekend. Plus the girl who wrote that comment is not the organizer and it’s highly unlikely she got the permission of the organizing committee since the HT literally just finished today, and she wrote it on Saturday AM. I don’t think they had time to meet and vote on whether or not EN should “cover” them. Also, I don’t see any other events shooting themselves in the foot by asking for the same…
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I also love how the dissenters on this thread say that “well, they did a survey and two POC didn’t mind the name, so that must mean EVERYONE who is a POC shouldn’t find it offensive!” And saying that a) because I and others on this thread are white women and b)
we haven’t talked about Latinos at all, means that we’re somehow ignorant and not qualified to argue on behalf of POC,… yeah. That’s not how it works. That’s not how ANY of this works.
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Well, I haven’t seen anyone making the arguments that you are attributing to them. Nor have I made those arguments. Because they are obviously failing arguments.
But I really don’t want to get in more “back and forth” stuff again. It’s so unpleasant.
Do you have any thoughts with respect to creating a more inclusive and respectful sporting community for everyone, that you want to voice? I brought up the example of a conversation that I had with someone, and how they spoke about “Mexicans”… because it made my jaw drop. But… I don’t move in high end hunter circles, and that sort of commentary is not the norm in the eventing community. Nonetheless, there are horse farms everywhere in this country which do cut costs by employing undocumented labor. And I think that’s an equity concern, and awful.
I invited anyone who doesn’t see eye to eye with me on a lot of what I’ve said on this thread so far to share their opinion on that issue. I thought maybe we could find some common ground on that at least.
Any thoughts?
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It’s about time for me to stop reading this thread any longer … maybe just this one last thing, and even though it won’t make any difference in this discussion.
My problem with this thread is the way it is ignoring the actual subject of inclusion. Ignoring this opportunity to venture into that subject in a way that eventing has never done before. And, the influence that this thread may be having on the larger wave of feeling in eventing. And that this thread is a very bad look for eventing, as it ignores that opportunity, and instead is defending one or two people who do not want to have that conversation.
And that posters in this thread are calling out other posters who are trying to point this out, trying to move the discussion in a broader direction about real inclusion. But some posters who are driving the thread direction are responding by calling them names; making personally disparaging remarks; even posting in aggressively hostile and shocking ways. Actively trying to drive them out of the discussion. And being praised for it.
I will be forever mystified why the principal discussion - in this thread, anyway - has not been about inclusiveness.
Why is our sport so intensely white, are we doing things on a regular basis that are alienating and discouraging participation of horse people of color? How can we find out more - if there is anything we should do or change - or if horse people of color are fine with eventing culture and behavior as is? White folk are not gong to know these things from inside our little bubble.
And why, instead, this gigantic conversation has been wasted on Eventing Nation. A barely-journalistic online horse-fan publication of little significance in the larger picture of national and world events.
The LO & organizer do not need the help of a mass public rally to handle EN et. al. The LO & organizer are very capable individuals who can do all they want to do with no help from the crowd,. They’ve made it pretty clear that the crowd’s help isn’t needed or wanted.
These two who refused to even have a discussion about inclusion, regardless of the outcome of such a discussion being in favor of the name, or suggesting a change. Who threw away every opportunity to make themselves and their event, and eventing generally, look wonderful. And inclusive. And opted for another look instead - for eventing, as well as for themselves. And yet those are the battlements that the crowd has chosen to plant a flag on and defend.
Maybe the thread title is what drove the discussion … but there is the larger public reaction that is following the same track.
So let’s say that five years from now, hypothetically, EN/Leslie Wylie/John Thier are long gone from eventing, and so is Plantation Fields. Newer eventers have never heard of any of this. Let’s say that in this hypothetical world five years away, someone who was active on this thread tries to explain to a newer, younger eventer how wonderful PF was, and how the terrible EN drove it away. This newer eventer, believing inclusion is a topic of primary importance, is confused about how inclusion played out in this drama. “So EN was against inclusion and that’s why everyone hated them, and PF was for it and that’s why everyone supported them?” Uh … well … there were emails and board meetings … people felt pressured to do what they didn’t want to do … “And so auntie, what did you and your friends post about, about how PF was developing inclusion in eventing, in spite of that hateful EN?”
Or in short words, I don’t think this thread discussion is going to age well.
I think that this conflict, and why people chose to take the sides that they did, is going to be really hard to explain in five years, by some of the most involved participants. Even if it seems crystal clear today.
This conversation should be about inclusion. But it’s not. For some strange, twisted, incomprehensible reason, it’s about defending some people for not wanting to discuss inclusion, from a force that is no real threat to them. It’s about vilifying some well-intentioned, if possibly misguided, people who wanted better for eventing.
I have optimistically always tried hard to hang on to the idea that people involved in eventing are welcoming and inclusive. That they are happy to see non-white eventers joining the ranks. That what they are saying here is just about being lost in the moment. Wound up by others in a discussion that seems hot and urgent in the moment. But I’m becoming worried and sad that I might be wrong about that.
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Absolutely no one has taken the positions that I bolded. In this thread or elsewhere.
“You acted like jerks.” Who acted like jerks? No one has said that eventers generally were jerks. I thought that a tiny handful of people at EN were the only jerks, in this argument. (Two people, I think it was?)
I have not seen where anyone has made demands of the type in these two posts.
These types of extreme overstatements have made this conversation useless.
All that these inaccuracies, fallacies and wild overstatements accomplish is to give people the feeling that they are ‘standing up’ for something grand, when that is not what is happening at all.
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Nancy Jaffer wrote a solid article on Sept. 21st, that is on Horse Sport. I thought it worth sharing to those following this thread. But… that whole linking challenge is a headache as usual. So… I’ll just copy and paste it. It’s full of quotes from key upper level people. David O’Connor, Bruce Davidson, Phillip Dutton, etc. An interesting read for sure.
“Will Semantics Spell the Demise of Plantation Field?”
The cloud over last weekend’s Plantation Field International Horse Trials wasn’t in the sky.
Picture-perfect weather for eventing ”’ crisp temperatures and sunshine sparkling down on an impeccable carpet of green turf ”’ underlined the special nature of the event in Pennsylvania’s horse country. But the occasion took on a poignant air with the knowledge that it could be the last time the competition is held at the scenic site.
A controversy involving political correctness resulted in the landowner ending his lease with the organizer of the event. Cuyler Walker was upset by the implication that his family had a link with racism when the Eventing Nation website cited the event’s “troubling associations inherent in the name Plantation Field. Specifically the word ‘plantation’” and called for the event to have a name change.
In an editorial, the website maintained that “Asking people of color to come visit, to spectate, volunteer, or compete, at a place called Plantation is insensitive at best and works against our efforts to implement more diversity in the sport.”
The issue led to a headline and story in the local paper, another dagger to the landowner, who has been active in municipal governance and chairs the local East Marlborough Township planning commission.
Then the U.S. Eventing Association got into the act, with its executive committee announcing the day before the event started that it would not use the name Plantation in press releases. After a furor erupted on social media, USEA walked it back, issuing a statement from CEO Rob Burk and president Max Corcoran that stated: “Having this historic competition close isn’t the right result for the sport, and the USEA is working hard to find a solution. The organizer and landowners operate exceptional events on a beautiful piece of land.”
They noted “We are deeply sensitive to the history of the word ‘plantation’ and its connection to slavery; however, this property has no known connections to slavery. and was instead named after ‘plantings’ on the property.” As of midday today, there was no story about the event on USEA’s website.
Riders interviewed at the event were saddened by the thought they may not be able to ride again at Plantation Field, with its wonderful terrain, testing cross-country courses and arenas.
“It’s such a huge loss for us,” said Canadian rider Lisa Marie Fergusson, who is based nearby and came in 21st with Honor Me in the 4*-Short field of 53. “It’s the best event ever,” she observed. “It’s so much fun.”
It was the first time at the venue for Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp, who won the 4-star on Deniro Z and wants to return to the facility.
“I think it’s wonderful and it just breaks my heart that it won’t happen again. I hope with everything in me that it does, because what a wonderful venue and a big proper course, which is great. Just an awesome place. I loved every second of it. I hope it happens again.”
Announcer Brian O’Connor, noting he had been told that the property owner was quite emotional about the situation, felt at the very least Cuyler should be thanked for allowing the property to be used for the last 20 years. He suggested that if Cuyler, who had been staying away from the event would come over, the riders could thank him. But organizer Dennis Glaccum said that wasn’t in the cards.
“What about if we bring the mountain to him? I’ll rally the troops and we’ll go do it,” asked Brian. So more than 50 riders were loaded into vehicles and went to Cuyler’s house. When the riders were all on his front lawn, he came out to accept a round of applause.
“He was quite surprised and very moved,” said Brian, who told him, “What you’ve been reading on line is not what people think about your event. These are the people who want to thank you, these are the people, the boots on the ground, who care about this event.”
As Brian recalled, “He was very appreciative. He said, “I’m sorry we had to make this decision. It hurts my family, that’s why we had to make this choice. We didn’t want to make it. It was basically an insult to his family history to have this miscommunication about the name and whether it’s racist.”
Like others who know the history of the situation, Brian pointed out, “You need to have a conversation” about something like this. He explained the name was taken out of context and that the word Plantation “has nothing to do with Tara. This is not a plantation where that kind of thing happened. It was based on a history called a planting field.”
The name, which is based on a dictionary definition of plantation, stems from the Boy Scouts planting trees there in the 1930s. There were never slaves on this acreage and it is in an area where the Underground Railroad worked with slaves who came north to seek their freedom. Plantation Field benefits several charitable organizations, including Work to Ride, a program for disadvantaged urban youths that offers them an opportunity to ride and work with horses.
Canadian rider Holly Jacks-Smither, who said Plantation Field is “my absolute favorite event” was in the group that went to Cuyler’s house.
“I think he was touched,” said Holly after finishing fifth in the 4-star on More Inspiration, who also got the award as the top-finishing thoroughbred.
“It’s sad to lose this venue. I don’t think he was being hard, I think he was being hurt,” she said of the land owner.
“He genuinely doesn’t want to be called something he isn’t,” added Holly, who doesn’t mind having to spend two weeks in quarantine on her return to Ontario as the price for coming to the U.S.
“I want to thank him so much for having us here. I think we’re behind him and would love to come back.”
Eventing legend Bruce Davidson, who lives in the area, was angry at anyone in the sport’s governance who “was supportive of this problem,” contending they, “should be dismissed…and find new jobs.” Their purpose, he said, should be “to promote the sport, not to interfere with it. To take some of the best sport we have in the country and do this to it is not a very intelligent thing to do.”
As time goes on, Brian hopes there can be a real discussion about the situation “and maybe it can change.”
His brother, former U.S. Equestrian Federation president and Olympic eventing gold medalist David O’Connor commented about the event, “Hopefully we haven’t lost it.” He thinks people have “probably learned a lesson, being a little too quick and hasty and aggressive. There are ways to do things. I think everybody lost in this one. Politics takes time, you have to convince people. But it’s up to the owner, it’s his legacy.”
Olympic medallist Phillip Dutton, a member of the event’s board and runner-up with Z in the 4-star, said the property owner’s reaction is “understandable from Cuyler’s point of view,” but also pointed out it’s only a small number of people who want to change the name. He thinks the riders as a group may come out with a statement this week showing their support for the event and he added, “Hopefully, Cuyler can reconsider.”
Dr. Kevin Keane, a veterinarian from the area who rode in the event, called the prospect of the competition being discontinued “devastating.”
Then he added, “I think it’s probably all very early on. Why don’t we all just take a little bit of a deep breath and be hopeful for the future of this event?”
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Not saying you personally, but there are people out there who did on the threads and FB.
And having a conversation with someone is a start, but by no means is it a solution - maybe voting for candidates in elections who support fair working wages, health care, and other [gasp] progressive policies will actually make a dent in the qualify of life for overworked and underpaid workers who are just trying to make a living. If business owners can’t afford help that gets paid above the table, then they shouldn’t be in this business. (Or, worse, they’re wealthy and just cheapskates who only care about profit margins rather than economic equity. Sounds all too familiar…)
In public health (my field), we talk about upstream and downstream determinants that play into equity and equality. The downstream factors, such as access to quality healthcare, education, food, water, etc. are directly affected by what happens upstream at the macro level (e.g., government). You can try and change the micro level, but true, lasting effects only happen from change upstream. You’re doing the right thing by having a conversation with your friends at the micro level and [hopefully] will correct someone when they refer to “Mexicans,” but real change will only happen when someone higher up - whether it be an organization or even a BNR - takes a stand. Sadly, Boyd’s actions have had the same effect, but to a detriment.
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This is a good articulation of how several of us experienced this. After I was told to “REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THIS THREAD” you can imagine my reaction when that very same poster threatened to report someone for being personally aggressive towards her in this thread.
I agree this thread is a bad reflection on eventing today. I don’t want to see anyone doxxed - that’s repulsive. But, as I said pages ago, if I were a young rider or parent of a young rider and read this, I would look elsewhere for a welcoming place. I don’t think that’s true of eventing - or at least didn’t used to be. But if the bulk of the posts in this thread are indicative of what it is now, I am sad for the sport.
I also found it rather odd that people were doing everything I bolded above, yet at the same time were carrying on about “cancel culture”. Trying to silence opposing opinions, calling for people who supported the name change at the USEA level to lose their jobs, openly wishing to have an online publication somehow barred from covering public events (not just PF) and to eventually go out of business - that’s as cancel culture as you can get.
The whole thing was very disheartening.
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Again for emphasis
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[QUOTE=Virginia Horse Mom;n10739634] Eventing legend Bruce Davidson, who lives in the area, was angry at anyone in the sport’s governance who “was supportive of this problem,” contending they, “should be dismissed…and find new jobs.” Their purpose, he said, should be “to promote the sport, not to interfere with it. To take some of the best sport we have in the country and do this to it is not a very intelligent thing to do.”
That was from Nancy Jaffer’s article…
…surely Bruce is a weeny bit biased as he is/was related to Cuyler Walker by marriage, surely? Bruce’s first wife, Carol Hannum (ie Buck’s mother) is Cuyler’s cousin by my reckoning. Carol’s mother Nancy Hannum and Cuyler’s mother are sisters. They were also the stepdaughters of W Plunkett Stewart, which is why both families are so immersed in Mr Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds and own so much land in Chester county between them. I mentioned, pages ago, that Nancy Hannum kindly arranged me some hunting during a working trip to Pennsylvania many many years ago - I’ve since fished out a book about the hunt which I was given as a memento. Please feel free to shoot me down in flames if I’ve got that wrong. I would just add that Bruce Davidson was one of my teenage eventing heros. It was only the day before I left (for the UK) that the penny dropped that Mrs H was his mother in law and that Bruce and Carol’s place was on her property, but it was too late to ask if there was any chance I could meet them!
“animal rights activists would shoot you as much as look at you,”
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹That isn’t limited to eventing. Their goal is for there to be ZERO animal ownership or use. They show up at agility events and insist the handlers are monsters for making the dogs participate. Meanwhile, the canine chorus of excitement and enthusiasm can merit wearing hearing protection.
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Have you been not reading the thread or am I reading a different thread?
There has been discussion here on how to be inclusive.
This thread also points out that shutting down events makes them not available to anyone…the horrible rich white people or anyone else that you want to include.
There have been lots of good suggestions on how the name of this event could have been changed with out pouncing on the land owner, with out making eventing look bad. But clearly the person who started this mess wanted it done their way and only their way.
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Having read the latest fb thread about Boyd’s response, I can’t believe that white people seem to feel that telling people of color to basically “take a seat, I know how you should feel about this and you need me, as a white person, to speak for you” isn’t the most demeaning, disrespectful, and insulting thing they could possibly do.
Also, the current banner ad on EN is for Morven Park, which IIRC was actually affiliated with slavery, and we’re good with that, apparently.
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Boyd has made another statement on Facebook:
[I]First and foremost, I want to be absolutely clear that I am one hundred per cent for diversity and equality in equestrian sports. At our farm here at Windurra I employ people from all different countries, cultures and religions. I have enjoyed training and competing horses with people from all over the world. The issue of race has nothing to do with my problem with Eventing Nation.
Being on the board of Planation Field International, it is my opinion that EN handled their questioning of the name “Plantation Field” terribly. They knew exactly what was going to happen when they pushed for the change just before our premier event, and I have emails to prove it. I am absolutely open to a discussion about changing the events name, but I would have preferred a calm, reasonable discussion over a cup of coffee with the landowner after the competition had taken place. I’m angry at their timing, and the fact that they knew it would be the downfall of PFI.
Over the years our community has spent many hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars developing Plantation Field. Many locals depend on this venue, from the grassroots horses and riders just getting started in the sport, to Olympic riders preparing for championships.
Yesterday I was successful at an event in Aiken just five days after the debacle at PFI and I was getting calls to be interviewed by Eventing Nation. I still have a very bitter taste in my mouth and I just feel like it would hypocritical of me to shrug my shoulders and self-promote my performance on their website.
I fully support equality in sports and bringing the sport of eventing to a wider audience, and I hope that we as a community can work together for this common goal.[/I]
Boyd Martin.
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I borrowed this comment from FB. It captures my thoughts well:
I can BOTH understand the concern and dislike of the connotations associated with the word “Plantation” and yet still understand the venue / property Plantation Field has not had, and has never had, any association with such. And that the name is decades old.
EN handled this so poorly. There are mature, correct and non-self serving ways to promote change. If anything, EN’s actions caused a LOT more hurt feelings, division, and embarrassment in the community than ever would have occurred if the landowner had been approached privately.
I know that sometimes change does require extreme (public) measure, but that is when all other attempts have been exhausted. Unless I am wrong, this did not appear to be the case. This seemed like EN using a platform to intentionally stir the pot and cause a riot for the sake of clicks.
White advocates (myself included) have to be extremely careful to think long and hard about why they are doing what they are doing- is it to really show support and promote change within our community, or to make yourself feel like a better, smarter person because you took a stand? Actions require introspection, and EN needs to look hard at its own motives on this one.
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I think people also need to remember that Boyd has closer ties to this event and the landowner than most. He sat on the board for years and has horses funded by the owner. I would say that he might even consider Walker somewhat of a friend. It’s understandable that he’s a bit more emotional about how this all went down.
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Who made Boyd the God of eventing? Ironically it was EN, even though I am being cheeky in saying that. He sure seems to think he is lately. His behavior has been odd even before this started to say the least. The whole Boyd Martin for president joke going around seems even stranger now.
I’m not sure why the professionals think they own eventing these days. Most of these people would never have been even a smidge as popular if it wasn’t for EN. EN has brought eventing front and center to the equestrian world and a lot of eventers would do well to remember that.
If he says he has emails to prove it maybe he should put his money where his mouth is instead of running it. Seems like he cares more about losing a facility that helps him and his career than he does about anything else. Not role model worthy so maybe it is better EN won’t be covering him anymore.
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