George Morris on the SS list

[BeeHoney]

@FitzE

My questions are exploring whether SS cert is this kind of meaningless metric.

I can only give you my opinion here, which is that Safe Sport training is not a “meaningless metric.” I think that Safe Sport training is very educational. No, Safe Sport training isn’t going to stop a determined pedophile by itself.

However, being surrounded by clients, professionals, parents and workers who are Safe Sport trained makes the horse world a lot less of a hospitable place for pedophiles and abusers. We all know what “grooming” is now. We know who to call when we see something inappropriate. And the standard of behavior laid out by Safe Sport is pretty clear.

I want to emphasize that the reason the H/J community has had a problem with abuse is a cultural issue, and we all need to take the training to change that culture. It has been a culture of looking the other way, actively protecting big name trainers, and failing to prioritize the safety and welfare of athletes and children. It’s time to change.

[YankeeDuchess]

@FitzE

Interesting, thank you. So all members must now take this training. That’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Your last line gets at the crux of my questioning. It makes sense to me that, as you say, the stuff he writes is part of what the training is meant to highlight as unacceptable. Now that he has done so, what is the remedy? I think I understand there isn’t really a remedy at present; one can be certified and also write these things publicly. That seems to be a huge loophole SS should want to address. How horrifying that the man writing that stuff runs a big children’s lesson program.

I don’t think that certification is required merely to be a member, it is required to participate in USEF events as a competitor, judge, official, trainer of a competitor, etc.

[YankeeDuchess]

@FitzE

Interesting, thank you. So all members must now take this training. That’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Your last line gets at the crux of my questioning. It makes sense to me that, as you say, the stuff he writes is part of what the training is meant to highlight as unacceptable. Now that he has done so, what is the remedy? I think I understand there isn’t really a remedy at present; one can be certified and also write these things publicly. That seems to be a huge loophole SS should want to address. How horrifying that the man writing that stuff runs a big children’s lesson program.

I don’t think that certification is required merely to be a member, it is required to participate in USEF events as a competitor, judge, official, trainer of a competitor, etc.

[YankeeDuchess]

@FitzE

Interesting, thank you. So all members must now take this training. That’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Your last line gets at the crux of my questioning. It makes sense to me that, as you say, the stuff he writes is part of what the training is meant to highlight as unacceptable. Now that he has done so, what is the remedy? I think I understand there isn’t really a remedy at present; one can be certified and also write these things publicly. That seems to be a huge loophole SS should want to address. How horrifying that the man writing that stuff runs a big children’s lesson program.

I don’t think that certification is required merely to be a member, it is required to participate in USEF events as a competitor, judge, official, trainer of a competitor, etc.

[YankeeDuchess]

@FitzE

Interesting, thank you. So all members must now take this training. That’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Your last line gets at the crux of my questioning. It makes sense to me that, as you say, the stuff he writes is part of what the training is meant to highlight as unacceptable. Now that he has done so, what is the remedy? I think I understand there isn’t really a remedy at present; one can be certified and also write these things publicly. That seems to be a huge loophole SS should want to address. How horrifying that the man writing that stuff runs a big children’s lesson program.

I don’t think that certification is required merely to be a member, it is required to participate in USEF events as a competitor, judge, official, trainer of a competitor, etc.

[YankeeDuchess]

@FitzE

Interesting, thank you. So all members must now take this training. That’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Your last line gets at the crux of my questioning. It makes sense to me that, as you say, the stuff he writes is part of what the training is meant to highlight as unacceptable. Now that he has done so, what is the remedy? I think I understand there isn’t really a remedy at present; one can be certified and also write these things publicly. That seems to be a huge loophole SS should want to address. How horrifying that the man writing that stuff runs a big children’s lesson program.

I don’t think that certification is required merely to be a member, it is required to participate in USEF events as a competitor, judge, official, trainer of a competitor, etc.

[YankeeDuchess]

@FitzE

Interesting, thank you. So all members must now take this training. That’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Your last line gets at the crux of my questioning. It makes sense to me that, as you say, the stuff he writes is part of what the training is meant to highlight as unacceptable. Now that he has done so, what is the remedy? I think I understand there isn’t really a remedy at present; one can be certified and also write these things publicly. That seems to be a huge loophole SS should want to address. How horrifying that the man writing that stuff runs a big children’s lesson program.

I don’t think that certification is required merely to be a member, it is required to participate in USEF events as a competitor, judge, official, trainer of a competitor, etc.

[TheMoo]

@YankeeDuchess

I don’t think that certification is required merely to be a member, it is required to participate in USEF events as a competitor, judge, official, trainer of a competitor, etc.

They have levels of membership and it is required for their competing membership.

ETA: Yes it’s for participation at events and such but I’d hazard to guess that 95% of members compete or participate in some fashion at events. The rest of us who do not compete just get fan memberships.

[YankeeDuchess]

@TheMoo

They have levels of membership and it is required for their competing membership.

    In order to enter a USEF recognized competition, you must both be a participating member of USEF and have been certified on SS. I believe that they will take your check to become a participating member of USEF, but they will not allow you to participate in a competition unless you are current on training.

[TheMoo]

@YankeeDuchess

In order to enter a USEF recognized competition, you must both be a participating member of USEF and have been certified on SS. I believe that they will take your check to become a participating member of USEF, but they will not allow you to participate in a competition unless you are current on training.

You can pay a non member fee.

[YankeeDuchess]

@TheMoo

You can pay a non member fee.

Yes, but if you want to compete, and are not SS certified, can you compete just by paying the nonmember fee?

[FitzE]

@BeeHoney

I can only give you my opinion here, which is that Safe Sport training is not a “meaningless metric.” I think that Safe Sport training is very educational. No, Safe Sport training isn’t going to stop a determined pedophile by itself.

However, being surrounded by clients, professionals, parents and workers who are Safe Sport trained makes the horse world a lot less of a hospitable place for pedophiles and abusers. We all know what “grooming” is now. We know who to call when we see something inappropriate. And the standard of behavior laid out by Safe Sport is pretty clear.

I want to emphasize that the reason the H/J community has had a problem with abuse is a cultural issue, and we all need to take the training to change that culture. It has been a culture of looking the other way, actively protecting big name trainers, and failing to prioritize the safety and welfare of athletes and children. It’s time to change.

That makes sense - everyone trained means far greater awareness of the issue. I had erroneously thought only trainers and coaches were trained. I had no idea the H/J community had this cultural issue beyond just the baseline chance of pedophiles/inappropriate behaviour in the population of people who work with children. I really hope this is the start of a big clean up and change for the community.

[TheMoo]

@YankeeDuchess

Yes, but if you want to compete, and are not SS certified, can you compete just by paying the nonmember fee?

Yes.

[YankeeDuchess]

@FitzE

That makes sense - everyone trained means far greater awareness of the issue. I had erroneously thought only trainers and coaches were trained. I had no idea the H/J community had this cultural issue beyond just the baseline chance of pedophiles/inappropriate behaviour in the population of people who work with children. I really hope this is the start of a big clean up and change for the community.

I am an older, adult amateur dressage rider and had no clue that top adult H/J trainers were having sex with 13 year old students in the sixties, seventies, who knows for how long. Apparently people who knew or suspected the abuse looked away (if the trainer was sufficiently famous/powerful/successful).

I think the main hope for SS training to inhibit the behavior of would be abusers is by creating a community of really aware adults who understand that they should be vigilant with respect to this type of behavior (even when not directed at themselves or their own children) and understand that it is their responsibility to report the behavior rather than look away.

[Tackpud]

@YankeeDuchess

Yes, but if you want to compete, and are not SS certified, can you compete just by paying the nonmember fee?

Yes but then you have a 30 day grace period to do the education or you will be put on the ineligible list for the future until you complete the training. You can’t just keep showing by paying the job-member fee indefinitely.

[TheMoo]

@Tackpud

Yes but then you have a 30 day grace period to do the education or you will be put on the ineligible list for the future until you complete the training. You can’t just keep showing by paying the job-member fee indefinitely.

Thank you for the added information. I did not know you had a 30 day grace period as a non member of you wanted to show but not be a member.

[YankeeDuchess]

@Tackpud

Yes but then you have a 30 day grace period to do the education or you will be put on the ineligible list for the future until you complete the training. You can’t just keep showing by paying the job-member fee indefinitely.

[YankeeDuchess]

@YankeeDuchess

That makes sense.

[YankeeDuchess]

@Tackpud

Yes but then you have a 30 day grace period to do the education or you will be put on the ineligible list for the future until you complete the training. You can’t just keep showing by paying the job-member fee indefinitely.

That makes sense.

[Jenerationx]

Everything Duncan McIntosh posts on the subject gives me the heebie jeebies as a survivor.