Safe Sport Requirement? Seriously?

[netg]

@Denali6298

Could be. At the end of the day if you have the time and the money to show, you have the time and the wherewith-all to take an online course dealing with the issues SafeSport is addressing. It is disheartening for me to see so much push back for something so important. The excuses in all three threads are appalling. I call this training “don’t be a d**k” training. I have A LOT of it for my job. Online and in person lectures. Is it annoying? Yeah. It works though. All of it is geared so that people become more self aware and aware of situations that may seem like no big deal but really are a big deal.

So if a 70 year old lady who has been showing dressage her whole life and doesn’t have internet wants to show, she doesn’t deserve to because she’s not up to your idea of modern standards?

Again, I’m going to try to get my GMO to do a training session with this so anyone with difficulties can get their certification. My GMO is great about doing similar type of sessions, so it fits in well. Even though high speed doesn’t exist where I live, I have ways to make it work. But there are plenty of people who can’t say the same, who aren’t on this forum to defend themselves, and are being shut out. Living in a rural area lacking in high speed and having spent enough times in areas without reliable cell connection has taught me the divide in the expectations that everyone should have kept up with technology - when it’s 1) not actually a requirement to exist/have horses/ride dressage and 2) not even possible in many areas.

[TMares]

@netg

So if a 70 year old lady who has been showing dressage her whole life and doesn’t have internet wants to show, she doesn’t deserve to because she’s not up to your idea of modern standards?

Again, I’m going to try to get my GMO to do a training session with this so anyone with difficulties can get their certification. My GMO is great about doing similar type of sessions, so it fits in well. Even though high speed doesn’t exist where I live, I have ways to make it work. But there are plenty of people who can’t say the same, who aren’t on this forum to defend themselves, and are being shut out. Living in a rural area lacking in high speed and having spent enough times in areas without reliable cell connection has taught me the divide in the expectations that everyone should have kept up with technology - when it’s 1) not actually a requirement to exist/have horses/ride dressage and 2) not even possible in many areas.

Is there a public library in her vicinity?

If your GMO does this (which is a neat idea, btw) everyone will need their own device to log into. How would you work around that need? Have you requested onsite training from SS and gotten their thumbs up that they can bring it to your GMO? Locale and size will be drivers for that, I’m sure.

[netg]

@TMares

Is there a public library in her vicinity?

If your GMO does this (which is a neat idea, btw) everyone will need their own device to log into. How would you work around that need? Have you requested onsite training from SS and gotten their thumbs up that they can bring it to your GMO? Locale and size will be drivers for that, I’m sure.

That would be part of working to get it done for a group. Figuring out how it’s done. It was just suggested in this thread, I said it was a great idea, and contact members of my GMO board about it. Just now.

How on earth do you think I would have all logistics worked out already?

Also, do most libraries have audio cards in their computers? I have seen time limits for computer use, and no audio.

[atlatl]

@Sue B

I think this is a great idea for a GMO meeting topic. Group gets together, does the training, each individual links to their own email. I am going to suggest it to my chapter.

Excellent idea!

[Equibrit]

The “law” looks like an opportunity for devious trouble makers.

[TMares]

@netg

That would be part of working to get it done for a group. Figuring out how it’s done. It was just suggested in this thread, I said it was a great idea, and contact members of my GMO board about it. Just now.

How on earth do you think I would have all logistics worked out already?

Also, do most libraries have audio cards in their computers? I have seen time limits for computer use, and no audio.

Gosh, I don’t. I was asking thoughtful questions, sorry.

For the second, that varies by library.

[Tackpud]

@DQ Foxhunter

I am not really sure anyone is disputing your point, it is a wonderful idea if anyone wishes to view this video, however mandating it is a different issue.
There are also a lot of other problems in society that bleed into horse shows,spousal abuse, drug abuse, suicide, etc, is training going to be mandated for that also before you can show your horse?
I think awareness for all these things is a good thing…but .

Since this is mandated by Congress, I can see why everyone has issues with it, but there is documented abuse of children in sports, so we are trying to clean up that mess and this is the way that has been decided that happens. Yes, those other problems bleed into sports, but are they targeted abuse at under age children? That’s the difference. We are all paying for a few people’s sick and twisted minds, but we should be willing to do so if it will save a child in the present or future.

[SarahandSam]

@netg

So if a 70 year old lady who has been showing dressage her whole life and doesn’t have internet wants to show, she doesn’t deserve to because she’s not up to your idea of modern

Theoretical 70-year-old lady presumably has a way to renew her USEF and USDF memberships annually, print prize lists or submit entries online, photocopy or scan coggins and signature pages and vaccination records and membership cards, and do the host of other bureaucratic things required to enter a recognized show. Maybe a trainer helps her do a lot of these things, but said theoretical trainer could probably spare an hour or two to help theoretical old lady do the training if it’s too complicated.

I have to constantly explain to my 76-year-old mother-in-law how to close tabs on her iPad or where that video she just took went, but she does have an iPad, and I’m guessing there are very very few people, older or otherwise, showing in recognized shows who are living in desolate areas with none internet or cell service or technological capability or internet-savvy kids around whatsoever.

[Middleburg_Misfit]

@SarahandSam

Theoretical 70-year-old lady presumably has a way to renew her USEF and USDF memberships annually, print prize lists or submit entries online, photocopy or scan coggins and signature pages and vaccination records and membership cards, and do the host of other bureaucratic things required to enter a recognized show. Maybe a trainer helps her do a lot of these things, but said theoretical trainer could probably spare an hour or two to help theoretical old lady do the training if it’s too complicated.

I have to constantly explain to my 76-year-old mother-in-law how to close tabs on her iPad or where that video she just took went, but she does have an iPad, and I’m guessing there are very very few people, older or otherwise, showing in recognized shows who are living in desolate areas with none internet or cell service or technological capability or internet-savvy kids around whatsoever.

This. I know that there are thousands of people who do not have internet access and can’t get to a public place with free wifi to get online, but honestly, how many of them compete in USEF recognized competitions? It’s almost all online now. Even those people who are saying that “I have access, but I won’t use my precious time or data on Safe Sport”, you obviously have enough time to read these forums and comment. The rule has been made, and this is now something you have to do. Don’t want to find a way to make it work? Show unrecognized.

[netg]

I’m astounded at the offense some of you take to having it pointed out that not everyone has your technical expertise on how to use the internet.

And you still are incapable of understanding the different amounts of bandwidth different technologies need. Or that the people not posting on this forum are the ones who will have problems.

Seriously, there is zero requirement to be a technogeek in order to ride dressage. None.

[Denali6298]

@netg

I’m astounded at the offense some of you take to having it pointed out that not everyone has your technical expertise on how to use the internet.

And you still are incapable of understanding the different amounts of bandwidth different technologies need. Or that the people not posting on this forum are the ones who will have problems.

Seriously, there is zero requirement to be a technogeek in order to ride dressage. None.

So get the training axed. Don’t do it and be content with being part of the problem. Clearly you are not part of any solution. With that being said, do not have an opinion the next time a bullying or sexual assault case comes forward from anywhere. Just remember, you don’t have the bandwidth or time to care.

[CupcakeTough]

Hello,
Library employee here. Your local library has computers with internet access you can use. Heck, even if you don’t have a local library or a library card, ANY library will give you a guest pass to use the computers. Most have free printing. Having technical difficulties? Ask for help. We are all trained to troubleshoot and help problem solve. We’ll get it working for you so that you can complete your Safe Sport training.

[ladyj79]

There are transcripts that go along with the video for those “concerned” about audio cards.

and there’s audio for those of you who can’t read.

[Denali6298]

@ladyj79

There are transcripts that go along with the video for those “concerned” about audio cards.

and there’s audio for those of you who can’t read.

What if that 70 year old dressage rider can’t see or hear? Gosh! How is the training supposed to happen???:uhoh:

[ladyj79]

@Denali6298

What if that 70 year old dressage rider can’t see or hear? Gosh! How is the training supposed to happen???:uhoh:

I figured I had to counter that can’t read argument before it happened since we are already having the I can’t possibly get on the internets argument, on the internets. As usual, I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.

these conversations make me feel like I need a drink and a shower.

[Denali6298]

@ladyj79

I figured I had to counter that can’t read argument before it happened since we are already having the I can’t possibly get on the internets argument, on the internets. As usual, I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.

these conversations make me feel like I need a drink and a shower.

:lol: Well clearly the training is no good because you are not accounting for the elderly who can’t see or hear. Excuse me while I flounce away with my shower beer.

[atlatl]

Wow, this devolved quickly.

I try to apply the following technique in life:

If I don’t like something I can
a) work to change it
b) live with it
c) disengage

For example:
Don’t like my job? I can
a) work to change it
b) take the paycheck and live with it
c) go work somewhere else

So, if you don’t like the USEF requirement to do the Safe Sport Training, you can
a) try to change the requirement
b) do the training
c) don’t do the training, don’t join USEF

I view the folks on the “don’t think it’s reasonable” side as exercising option a by posting their opinions on the topic. That’s cool, it’s still a free country.

[lmlacross]

@netg

I’m astounded at the offense some of you take to having it pointed out that not everyone has your technical expertise on how to use the internet.

And you still are incapable of understanding the different amounts of bandwidth different technologies need. Or that the people not posting on this forum are the ones who will have problems.

Seriously, there is zero requirement to be a technogeek in order to ride dressage. None.

I’m astounded at the tendency of some to construct the rarest-possible hypothetical to bolster the contention that this 90-odd-minute training, designed to help spot and prevent abuse in sport, is too onerous and burdensome on the average competitor to be a reasonable mandate.

Saying that some of us don’t understand or believe that those without basic internet skills exist is a straw man argument-- at least to me. I do acknowledge that those people exist. I’m not saying they don’t, and I’m certainly not saying they don’t deserve to show. However, I think that the person who lacks these basic skills, and who also lacks reliable internet access, and also lacks supportive, technologically savvy family or barn friends, and who also happens compete, even sporadically, at rated shows is a rare bird indeed. I think that the best way to proceed, therefore, is not to scrap the SafeSport mandate, but to figure out ways to help the truly special circumstance competitor get it done. If half that effort spent constructing “What-about-this” and “what-about-that” hypotheticals were put into creating constructive solutions to help the very, very rare competitor who cannot manage to attend to the training on his or her own, we’d have 100% participation for sure.

[skydy]

@lmlacross

I’m astounded at the tendency of some to construct the rarest-possible hypothetical to bolster the contention that this 90-odd-minute training, designed to help spot and prevent abuse in sport, is too onerous and burdensome on the average competitor to be a reasonable mandate.

Saying that some of us don’t understand or believe that those without basic internet skills exist is a straw man argument-- at least to me. I do acknowledge that those people exist. I’m not saying they don’t, and I’m certainly not saying they don’t deserve to show. However, I think that the person who lacks these basic skills, and who also lacks reliable internet access, and also lacks supportive, technologically savvy family or barn friends, and who also happens compete, even sporadically, at rated shows is a rare bird indeed. I think that the best way to proceed, therefore, is not to scrap the SafeSport mandate, but to figure out ways to help the truly special circumstance competitor get it done. If half that effort spent constructing “What-about-this” and “what-about-that” hypotheticals were put into creating constructive solutions to help the very, very rare competitor who cannot manage to attend to the training on his or her own, we’d have 100% participation for sure.

I appreciate your spot on synopsis, and agree wholeheartedly. This is not rocket science. I am not well versed in the ways of the computer but I know plenty of people who are.

I am certain that there are kind people in the equestrian community who will help those that truly cannot manage to do this on their own.

[soloudinhere]

@netg

I’m astounded at the offense some of you take to having it pointed out that not everyone has your technical expertise on how to use the internet.

And you still are incapable of understanding the different amounts of bandwidth different technologies need. Or that the people not posting on this forum are the ones who will have problems.

Seriously, there is zero requirement to be a technogeek in order to ride dressage. None.

Well:

1. You were the one complaining that you would have to pay extra because you choose to have a limited phone plan and live in an area without reliable internet.
2. You posit that everyone who has horses has land and therefore has no internet because land=remote and rural to you.
3. You would like USEF to cater to your desire to not expand your phone plan by offering you video rentals and print materials at their expense.
4. You seem to think this situation is widespread and that this situation somehow invalidates the federal requirement for NGBs to document they have trained their membership.

You’re getting so wrapped up in the “plight” of this one person who lives in east nowhere Alaska and gets their groceries delivered by seaplane who also somehow rides dressage and competes at recognized shows. If this person exists, I’m sure they can figure out a way to meet this requirement using a publicly available computer. You know, like a normal person would. You do not need to be a “techno geek” to complete this it is the world’s most basic visual icon website with videos and a “continue” button. You aren’t writing the damn website. I guess you do need an email address to do it and if you don’t have one, well, no time like the present to get with the new millennium.

I think you are missing how tone deaf it is for someone who has made nearly 10,000 posts in 8 years to be saying how limited and precious their internet is and how it can’t possibly be used for this. As I said, take a one-day break from COTH and your personal FB group to discuss dressage, and you will have both the time and bandwidth available to complete this.

Or if you really want to stand for the plight of the internet disadvantaged, don’t join, don’t show. That is always an option.