I’m just thinking out loud now, but I wonder if part of that is checking for counterfeit documentation or something like that, as opposed to actual citizens being held up. But like I said, just musing
A 20 year legal permanent resident/green card holder was detained due a dismissed felony from 13 years ago. He went on a trip to Mexico to scatter his mother’s ashes. He was detained May 24 and is being held in a general population detention center until a court hearing July 9 with no option for bond. He is a legal permanent resident and that was the only issue he had on record (again, dismissed). He has left the country on similar short trips multiple other times with no issues.
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One of the biggest H/J shows on the PNW was just cancelled: both weeks of the Oregon HIgh Desert Classic. Too few entries. This show has been a mainstay for decades! It looks like the shows at Huntercreek in Wilsonville, OR are doing ok, but it is the first week. I suspect that the remaining shows will fill with the cancellation in Bend. I suspect economic fears (or realities) are driving this. There’s only so much disposable income to go around and as we’ve discussed many times, shows are stupidly expensive, with no attempts to make them more affordable (such as no braiding, actively encouraging volunteers (psst…eventers can show the way), etc.
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And there are an enormous number of people involved in the horse industry here on temporary work permits or green cards. Everything from saddle reps to clinicians to competitors themselves and their employees. The American market has been lucrative, no-one is denying that, but most can pivot to other markets or stop traveling and just sell remotely and I suspect that’s what will happen quite swiftly. Especially if old convictions start to prevent travel.
It will be interesting to see what the big sponsors do if attendance is way down at the upper levels going forward. Can eventing survive without European competitors traveling here? I don’t think US riders can support two 5* events. Where will the showjumpers go? Will dressage facilities survive without clinic income? Do we have enough FEI judges in the USA?
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Interesting. Don’t some green cards have an expiration date, or a time when they have to “reapply” for it? Not saying that applies here, just wondering.
Green cards generally renew every 10 years. His was current and the dismissed felony charges had no effect because…it was dismissed.
But he sits in a detention center for 2 months. This is why many people are afraid to travel, for fear of issues that weren’t issues before.
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Ah I see. Well, I suppose i can see why a green card or visa holder would have those concerns.
The problem is, if they can detain legal permanent residents for… no reason… they can do it to citizens too. And they have, and they will again. We should all be deeply concerned about that, no matter our political affiliations. There is a reason that the right to due process is not dependent on immigration status- it must apply to everyone, or else it applies to no one.
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The CDI/National at DevonWood (dressage) also had very low entries. Normally the CDI attracts competitors from California, the PNW, and Canada. It was shocking.
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I have heard that some of the Arab shows in Ohio have had a drastic drop in entries. I don’t know if it’s tariff related or something else like economic uncertainty or groom status. The HJ shows seem well attended.
Most people in the HJ world show close to home in the summer. Let’s see what happens in Florida and Thermal in January.
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But… that is close to home for the vast majority of PNW riders. This is our summer circuit, and we just lost two of the biggest weeks of it.
Team Northwest just added a week at Wilsonville in response to the cancellation so we’ll see how that plays out. They are not holding any Outreach shows alongside the A shows there, like they did last year, which is disappointing. It made an affordable way to show and also helped out trainers who could bring both types of clients to one show.
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Florida will be packed in January just like it always is.
There are usually a lot of Canadians at Thermal, many of whom stay for the whole circuit or a good chunk of it.
Will be interesting to see what entries at Michigan are like this summer.
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From what I’ve heard it was more the smoke that put people off going this year. Barns plan their schedule over the winter partially based on polling clients where they want to go. And a lot of clients didn’t want to risk a repeat of the smoke issues. Illogical but it is horse people 
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It may be packed, or not packed, but will it be a different demographics? If the Canadians aren’t coming down are more Americans taking their place? Will the rental prices be the same or lower due to less demand?
I know you live down there but what makes you an expert on economics to determine it will be just as packed like it has always been. I already know of 2 hunter clients who are opting out of next year. Yes, the other client I know is still taking 2 down. So a 50% attrition.
That showing venue is so out of my price range no personal experience
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Wow ok. Excuse me.
Wellington, HITS et al have been packed every single year that I have been in horses (since the early 80s). Nobody seems to care where they come from , whether it’s Canada or the NE or places like Ohio etc. They come from all over the US every year. If some Canadians decide not to come there will be plenty of others taking their place. People are moving to FL in droves, with or without horses, filling rentals doesn’t seem to be an issue either.
I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Do you know what the dates are for week they added? I was supposed to get up to TBird next week for the first time, but my horse had other plans. Perhaps it’s for the best, given the border situation.
I’m sorry to hear your horse had other plans (I can TOTALLY relate). I’m sad to hear you’re nodding your first time at tbird - it’s truly one of the best! I hope you come into visit instead. Honestly, the border wasn’t a problem at all this year. It was WAY more of a pain during COVID. If anything, the waits have been far less.
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What smoke? I’ve not heard that, but I’m in WA. My friends who ride in Oregon haven’t mentioned smoke, but maybe I’m missing something! Or are you just talking historically?
