Technically correct. However we’ll never know if USEF would have taken action against him for abuse at a show because no one filed an official complaint (Traurig and Dover for example, who confronted him on two separate occasions). If an official complaint had been filed, USEF’s Hearing Committee process would have started.
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Many people have been contacted but no one wants to talk. Many of the SS reports were anonymous and did not provide contact information so that SS was unable to contact them and verify the report. If you know someone who filed a SS report and heard nothing, encourage them to contact SS again. They will remain anonymous but SS has to have a way to speak with them. Of the ones that they have spoken to? Bottom line - there are many that are afraid of him and will not go forward which then makes it difficult for SS or the USEF to proceed.
Currently, the USEF cannot do anything because it’s own rules do not cover anything other than USEF Competitions or clinics. The new rule proposal goes forward this month - but remember that there are some breed/disciplines that are against this as they feel it is over reach and have voted it down in the past. If you feel strongly about this, then contact the USEF Board of Directors and let them know that you want them to pass the proposed rule. Sadly, the rule will not be retroactive. In a way, it is too bad that the videos were released before the rule could change.
You can bash USEF and SS all you want. They are not perfect but it is all we’ve got against people like this. Work with them, not against them. The more you bash them, the less likely someone will go to them with real information that might be the one case that can really take him down.
The USEF must dot it’s i’s and cross it’s t’s because he has a billionaire client who supports him. That kind of support behind him in a lawsuit could bury our federation. And then, we would have nothing.
As frustrating as it is - an believe me, I really understand it - the slow and steady will ultimately win. He isn’t showing his hand - why should we?
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My husband and I witnessed his abuse of a horse in warmup at the Florida Horse Park last year. He repeatedly beat this horse around the warmup ring until finally, the horse gave him the finger and refused to enter the show arena.
Was anything done by show officials or management? I don’t know, but if not, shame on them.
If any of us dressage smurfs beat on a horse like that, you can bet we’d catch Hell.
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This makes sense. It’s unfortunate and sad and frustrating… but thanks for the clarity.
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Did you speak with a steward about what you saw ?
Just asking.
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Is that true? Thinking of EC, EC members agree to having a responsibility to uphold the standards of EC. It is my understanding that they can refuse membership to someone who doesn’t not uphold their standards. Yes, this wouldn’t prevent him from training, but it would prevent him from showing.
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Agree, the USEF seems to have a code of conduct and the penalties for violation of it under sec 703 includes expulsion.
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I would ask if you reported him for that behavior. If you saw it, don’t assume that the steward saw it. Say something.
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For the life of me, I CANNOT understand how this abuser can have a “billionaire” client behind him after everything that has come out. Does your horse’s well-being mean nothing to you or is the
$.69 ribbon more important?. I guess it is obvious what the answer is. Absolutely horrible.
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That’s why I understand the argument that it’s time for equestrian sports to leave international competition. The people can’t be trusted. The bad guys rule and the good guys have chosen not to be brave and call out the bad ones.
So the horses have no advocate.
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In this case we should be happy we have international competition…the other countries actually took action on Parra.
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USEF has made it clear they aren’t going to do anything except follow FEI’s lead. So if it wasn’t for “international competition” - ie governed by FEI - Parra would not be under any kind of sanctions that prevent him from competing at FEI/USEF competitions.
It will be interesting to see what results from the FEI Disciplinary Hearing - whenever that happens (unfortunately the Braddick article doesn’t give a timeframe for that hearing).
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What about the issue of the WS who had their documents held hostage?
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Also not techically under the USEFs domain.
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Yes, but it’s a way to stop him and his horse abuse. With legal repercussions for the Passport stuff.
To me that’s the goal.
If the organizations who oversee these activities won’t, maybe it’s time to approach him from a different direction
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We really must report to TD when we see something.
As an aside, one of the GMO roundtable discussions at the convention will be addressing social license to operate and its effect on GMOs……
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People have witnessed him abusing horses at shows for years and nothing was ever done. I myself have seen horses whipped through a test locally and nothing is ever done. Mouths open with tongues flapping–nothing. Blue tongues??? Nothing. So don’t give them a bye just because he didn’t truss up a horse at a show. USEF’s advisors saw him abuse horses at shows and gave him private talks but the officials DID NOTHING.
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What exactly does this mean…effect on the GMO not the horse/industry?
Well, that is certainly a problem…But I would ask you again, did YOU report him?
I wonder if everyone just thinks someone else is going to see and report the abuse.
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Honestly, this I don’t think typically needs anything more than scores knocked down for tension. I know horses that do this while being ridden either because of tension, or a habit they picked up (typically at the track). Noseband is fine, bit is fine, bridle fits well, riders have good hands and aren’t pulling. Any tension just shows in the mouth, even if they look otherwise relaxed.
Blue tongue though? Absolutely needs to be called out.
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