Saw a post on Facebook stating that a large number of workers were let go and owners were having to come do their own feed and stalls.
A comment to the post implied it may have to do with undocumented workers.
Does anyone know what happened?
Terrible.
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The GM of the facility left with no notice two weeks ago. afaik it’s operating under a short term or extended mgmt contract at the moment. I hope they do not use this an excuse to scale back boarding there like they have elsewhere.
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“ASM Global shared a statement saying, “The Los Angeles Equestrian Center prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of every horse entrusted to our care. As a matter of policy, we do not comment on personnel issues.””
Bullsh*t. Complying in advance. Cowards.
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I worked in Mexico for a little over twelve years, all that time I had to repeatedly apply for a Mexico government temporary resident card that permitted me to work for payment
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I’m betting it was easier for you to do as an American in Mexico than it is for Mexican farm workers in the US.
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This is sadly an expected outcome of our regressive immigration policies-- there can be criminal liability to employers for knowingly employing someone without authorization to work in the US (although by and large, employers are not sanctioned- ICE simply takes the workers in a workplace raid). Many undocumented workers simply cannot apply for work authorization-- there is no legal pathway that allows them to do so.
It is unconscionable that LAEC management has done this with seemingly no contingency plan to ensure the many many horses on property have their basic care needs met.
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Exactly the same thing. Perfect parallel.
/sarcasm
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No kidding. Like they didn’t foresee this happening at some point? At the very least, have a team you can contact so the horses get fed. (It was mentioned upthread that the horses missed breakfast).
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I’m sure there will be a line of earnest, able bodied American citizens from the local community who apply to muck stalls and feed horses for about the same pay as working at Target. 
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It is also unconscionable to stage large scale immigration crackdowns with no thought for who will be hurt (in this case, horses) or how to fill those jobs. The crackdown should have been accompanied by a path to legalization (or at least temporary legal status) for necessary workers in agriculture, health care etc.
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Yes, I’m sure the 40 US citizens who have been lined up outside the gates begging for these jobs will be thrilled. (Sarcasm in case that’s not blindingly obvious.)
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As my daughter pointed out (not talking about LAEC specifically), a lot of these horse show jobs are actually skilled jobs. Not many “regular” people will have the skills and confidence to lead a fractious horse to turn-out, blanket horses, put on leg wraps, etc. We want people here who have skills and affinity for horses–not just anyone looking for a buck.
The barn my daughter rode at was too small to have dedicated grooms – we would hire one or two at the show ground. I have no idea of their status; I do know everyone had to pay in cash. I have the warmest feelings toward the calm, capable grooms who took great care of the horses and always had a “Buena suerte, chica” for my daughter.
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These grooms work so hard and are so often the most kind people you’ll meet… with a genuine passion for horses. It just breaks my heart how they’re often underpaid, taken advantage of, and in these instances sent packing when they’ve been working in the US for years.
At HITS the other week, one of the workers’ young daughter was running around, wanting to help all the vendors. I talked to her and she lamented (in her adorable 6 yr old way) that she wanted to get rewarded for all her hard work. When I asked what she wanted (with the intent to offer her lunch or some free swag), she said she just wanted to make money so that her and her dad had money for food and stuff. Broke my damn heart
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Did getting fired give these folks the opportunity to hide from being taken into custody by ICE? Some years ago at WEF, the announcer would make a certain statement which actually meant that ICE was on the grounds. In a matter of minutes, there wasn’t a groom to be found.
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“Alan Chesler, your friends are waiting for you at the horse show office.”
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Shame on LAEC for kowtowing to DOJ bullying.
& horrible for the undocumented workers & those here legally that could get caught in the sloppy net ICE seems to be using everywhere.
OTOH, that post sounds a tad bit Karen-y.
Oh, Woe! 
Who are the “we’s” that now have to clean stalls & feed the horses they… Own? Care for? Are paid to train?
I’m finding it a bit hard to feel their pain.
Having just come in from 82F, Feels Like 87 w/67% humidity.
Tossed hay, topped waters & added bedding to 2 of 3 stalls, ending up dripping sweat after all of 25min of work.
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LAEC is managed under contract by ASM Global which is owned by Legends Hospitality which is owned by two billionaires Jerry Jones and George Steinbrenner and a private equity firm. They don’t care about anything but the bottom line.
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