USEF Suspension for Bad Behavior

Meanwhile AQHA has them available to anyone who wants to search them. No charge. I don’t understand why you should have to pay to find out who is suspended.

https://www.aqha.com/documents/82601/5475448/AQHA+Disciplinary+Actions.pdf/9dbba565-9aa4-ed2b-defc-88393dd41051?t=1708967997147

Standardbred Canada

APHA

https://www.aphaonline.org/APHAOnline/pub/DAL.aspx

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Not everyone has access to the official “paperwork” naming names. Particularly beginner eventers, and possible students which she, as a ammy should not have . HaHa!!

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This all falls under the “play stupid games, win stupid prizes” sentiment to me.

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This makes sense to me. I have refrained from asking if people think the rules are evenly applied to amateurs and professionals. I suspect they are not but I don’t have any anecdotes or data to say one way or other.

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Exactly, it could be a good reminder that abuse allegations aren’t strictly for professionals; amateurs can and do abuse horses as well, though likely with an impact on fewer horses at a time.

Back in my grooming days, I had to put back water and hay for a horse whose amateur owner had fallen off in the show ring (due to the rider’s own mistake). As soon as they were back at their stall, the rider dumped the water and threw the hay out of the stall, telling me that the horse needed to be punished by not being fed or watered until the next day, and that I wasn’t allowed to bathe the sweaty horse.

Thankfully, the owner then stormed off and left the showgrounds, and I promptly ensured that the horse was properly cared for and given lots of treats. In a self-care situation, however, it wouldn’t have gone as well for the horse.

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What ???

How exactly did comments in this thread MADE the story worse than what’s there, than this ???

Specifically, from the quote above …

repeatedly whipping the horse, punitively pulling on the reins and forcefully spurring the horse. While in the stall, she continued to strike the horse with the whip and backed up the horse into a corner by pulling on its head using the halter and lead until the horse was showing visible signs of fear and distress. Finally, while leading the horse out of its stall prior to her departure from the competition grounds, she slammed the stall door on the horse’s hips.

You don’t think this is bad enough to be “abuse”, just by ‘what is actually there’ in the report without any paraphrasing?

This is the kind of behavior that should not happen, ever, in any setting. I would personally describe this behavior toward the horse as “horrendous”, regardless of where it occurred. And it was upheld by an official investigation. Definitely merits sanctions.

Quoting your post again, you seem to imply that the fallout over the Mark Todd video was overblown, although maybe you can clarify if that was what you meant:

Think of the fall out from the Mark Todd Clinic and the branch by the water jump.

That was abuse, too. It also should not have happened. It was a terrible example of how too many professional trainers think is ok to behave, to wring something out of an animal in the moment, without looking at better, humane ways. That’s my opinion, as a member of the public.

Both of these abuse examples were sparked by a human’s frustration with an animal, regardless if the human was an amateur or an Olympic medalist.

All humans are subject to feelings of frustration and also pressure to get the results. That is the behavior that calling people out in public can help stop. Can hopefully trigger second thoughts when abusive behavior is the fallback for some trainer or rider.

Because that is a pushback that others will want to avoid in the future, when they, too, are overwhelmed by frustration with an animal.

And possibly people with them will be more likely to intervene, if only to save the reputation of the bad actor, even if they wouldn’t have done it to save the animal.

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I taught lessons for a couple of years to local kids riding at a beginner level. I had a student who got frustrated with her horse (a saint of an Appy who did not fool around if you didn’t ask for things correctly) and she started kicking with her little legs and yanking on the reins. I pulled that kid off the horse so fast it wasn’t even funny. Her parents backed me up, thankfully, but how many parents out there would have made excuses for their child and blamed the horse? Especially parents who are not horse savvy. The parents thanked me later and I was grateful that they were on the same page as I was with regards to horsemanship but it could have gone the complete opposite direction.

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I know a lesson student whose parents ended her horse lease because of similar behavior toward the horse, whenever the student became frustrated.

In that case, the parents recognized that the student was young, and they were all learning that she really did not know how to handle frustration. There were some life lessons and growing up to do before she was ready for certain situations. That was her parents’ approach, and it resulted in much better behavior by the student in the long run.

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You shouldn’t have to pay to access it.
It should come up on a Google search ffs.

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I truly don’t understand the thought of poor suspended person being talked about here. Ammy or not if you are on the suspension list you’re fair game for conversation. Or several other posts here.

In another thread a poster was raked over the coals for not naming and shaming a BNT for fear of retribution. People were essentially saying pics or I didn’t happen.

In this thread we have people saying talking about it is a bridge too far. And we also have people thinking OP has some agenda.

So which is it? Do we name and shame those people suspended or do we think anyone talking about abuse at the hands of owners or trainers has some sort of vendetta?

We can’t fix the abuse problems if there are strict parameters about who and what we talk about. Lord knows people recently found out about what vile human Parra is.

Yeah does it suck this persons name is now known to more people? I’m sure it does. Do I have sympathy for them? No. It’s not hard to not beat your horse.

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You can search the ineligibility list with a free membership. You most likely cannot access the detailed reports.

As this is an internal program they have it would not come up on a google search as there is no SEO for it.

I agree LilRanger, that amateurs should step up and I think you made a good point.

However, there are plenty of male USEF members that are on the “you’re busted” USEF violations list and the list is published.

If you see any BNT, male or female, abusing a horse, document it at that time, report to the Steward or TD, or any other official who will listen.

There are more people (who know what they are doing) who care about horse and human welfare in competition than many people on social media seem to realize.

COTH is an helpful microcosm I think. Most members know a great deal about what they post, and those that pretend are quickly found out. I can only imagine what the wild west of the internet is like in sorting out the pretenders. I would guess not as good as COTH.

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This place has been a treasure trove of information for me. But you guys are a little scary :joy:. The amount of knowledge makes it pretty intimidating.

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The person’s name should come up. There are a lot of people who have horses and aren’t members, and some who have never heard of USEF. They are still interested in horse welfare etc.
Some of them still ride, lesson etc.
the way it is now the information is limited to only those who care to access it who care about USEF.
I was a member for years of USEF, USHJA etc but for many reasons have let them lapse and have no interest in rejoining whether paid fan free or otherwise.

But I still care about horse welfare and think horse abusers should be outed and that info made generally accessible. .

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A related issue, which deserves its own thread is the current proposed change to EV112, use of whip. If approved it will not allow a rider to use their whip following a disobedience, but only as encouragement to go forward. I foresee a lot of problems the first weekend that it becomes effective.

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A google search of her name and city pulls up the US Equestrian magazine issue with the detailed incident and suspension information. No membership required.

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I think that the more light shed, no matter where in the process, the better. If I were a BO or trainer, I would like to have info like this available when making decisions on who to accept as a client. Let these people continue to have repercussions for their reprehensible behavior if it saves one horse from abuse in the future.

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Really?? Apples to oranges and tone deaf considering what SoCal horse people are dealing with.

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Where the public is concerned – it depends on the individual giving their opinion.

Everyone has to decide for themselves where they want to stand, what is right for them. And very probably on a case by case basis. Different people will see different gradients as to what defines abuse. The investigation can sort out where an organization stands on the report.

USEF suspensions always “name names”.

and they are essentially behind a paywall. You have to be a member to access. Use to be anyone could search. I feel they are not serving a wider purpose of a clients due diligence if they can see what available information is out there

for people not in the horse show game, finding information is a journey in itself

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