My horrible experiences with Texas horse trainer/instructor Ellen Doughty-Hume

[OverandOnward]

Even if the charges are serious, they don’t seem to be of a high enough caliber to get her suspended immediately. As has happened with several others while their cases were being investigated.

I know more than one horse trials organizer who would give a great deal to be allowed to ban her entries. Those of her students as well, no animosity to them, but she comes with them.

But whatever nuisance she is on the day, it’s not enough to get her banned, or even suspended, apparently. By the USEA or by Safe Sport. It will be interesting to see what Safe Sport does.

[SolarFlare]

@OverandOnward

I know more than one horse trials organizer who would give a great deal to be allowed to ban her entries. Those of her students as well, no animosity to them, but she comes with them.

Is there nothing in the rules that allows for this? I looked through our EC rules and it seems an organizer has the right to refuse an entry under certain circumstances. This is out of our rulebook:

To refuse an entry – In addition to entries of persons suspended or expelled
from the federation, a recognized competition may refuse any entry of an
exhibitor, rider, owner, agent, trainer or coach who has shown objectionable
attitude or behaviour at a Recognized competition which management is able
to substantiate. At National Championships, the Organizer may not refuse a
qualified entry.

ETA - I realize it may be difficult to do this for political reasons, and I’m not sure it’s ever used, but the possibility is there (in Canada)

[jvanrens]

Not eventing, but Spruce Meadows banned Eric Lamaze for a while from everything but team classes after his second positive, so it has been done in Canada at least once that I know of.

[SolarFlare]

Was that not because he was suspended though because of the positive drug test? I remember it happening but I don’t recall where the length of timeout was from - maybe the FEI or WADA?

I’m wondering if an organizer can individually refuse an entry, not because the governing body has suspended the rider.

[JenJ]

My recollection is that Eric was banned from Spruce Meadows beyond any suspension. They were eventually essentially forced to let him return when he was named to the Canadian Nations Cup team at Spruce Meadows.

[SolarFlare]

You may be right. I found this little article and it sure seems like SM wanted him gone long before that: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/disgraced-show-jumper-banned-from-spruce-meadows-1.218563

[Gardenhorse]

@SolarFlare

@OverandOnward

I know more than one horse trials organizer who would give a great deal to be allowed to ban her entries. Those of her students as well, no animosity to them, but she comes with them.

Is there nothing in the rules that allows for this? I looked through our EC rules and it seems an organizer has the right to refuse an entry under certain circumstances. This is out of our rulebook:

To refuse an entry – In addition to entries of persons suspended or expelled
from the federation, a recognized competition may refuse any entry of an
exhibitor, rider, owner, agent, trainer or coach who has shown objectionable
attitude or behaviour at a Recognized competition which management is able
to substantiate. At National Championships, the Organizer may not refuse a
qualified entry.

ETA - I realize it may be difficult to do this for political reasons, and I’m not sure it’s ever used, but the possibility is there (in Canada)

Yes, USEF allows this also. The wording is very similar.

USEF GR 913 Refusal of Entries:

1. In addition to entries of persons suspended or expelled from the Federation, a Licensed Competition may refuse any entry of an exhibitor or the participation of any agent, trainer, rider, driver or handler who has shown an objectionable attitude or behavior at a Licensed Competition or towards its management, which management is able to substantiate, or previous unsportsmanlike behavior at a Licensed Competition which management is able to substantiate.

[Whoaovergo]

I believe, she was banned from some area V venues for a period of time. If memory serves correctly it had to do with her dogs constantly running loose.

[OverandOnward]

Plus her dogs are not vaccinated, I heard, I don’t know how true that is. She does seem to be allergic to vets. Or maybe vet expenses.

My limited exposure was that there was a refusal to leash the dogs. Hard ‘no’ on her part.

Sometimes arrived with obviously sick horses. That did not give the horses time off.

Some other issues as well. It was sort of a situation of picking out which ones had the most immediate results.

[SaraBakerLady]

All I know is Safe Sport are investigating her for several different things. One I assume is her alcohol consumption at sporting events. I mean has anyone seen her drinking or drunk at events? Wouldn’t this jeopardize the safety of the kids on her care. Let’s not forget she is on probation for a second DUI until 2024 sometime.

[SaraBakerLady]

Was she banned from FEI?

[skydy]

USEF has reciprocity with the FEI. If she was banned by the FEI she would also be suspended by USEF.

[Texarkana]

I don’t think SafeSport monitors alcohol consumption.

Now, if she is providing it to minors, that is where they would become involved.

More than 2 DUIs can get you red flagged during the background screening, though.

[skydy]

Yes. The only way that SS would become involved would be if she had minors in the car when she got the DUI.

[Whoaovergo]

It was specific venues, not by a governing body - she continued to compete elsewhere.

[Whoaovergo]

She did show up to Meadowcreek with horses with an elevated temp and a known strangles outbreak at her farm. The organizers kicked her out after enough complaints by other competitors but used the excuse she was drunk and couldn’t drive, and ended up leaving in the middle of the night after she ‘sobered up’

[SaraBakerLady]

Her dogs aren’t vaccinated? Are they required to be at the events? She wasn’t at CHATT . Maybe she was banned?

[Jo]

She and her cohorts are advertising boarding/training on Faecbook again. The ONLY 5 star event trainer in Texas and an amazing team of instructors!

[Whoaovergo]

She was also beating a horse at SJ warmup at pinehill a couple of weeks ago.

[Salty]

Was she booted out? If not, she should have been.