Well, looks like the former GM horsemastership clinic will no longer be live streamed, just clips posted. I know there was a lot of pushback about Katie’s comments, but I really enjoyed watching this every January. https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/changes-ahead-for-usef-youth-development-training-series/
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This is why we can’t have nice things.
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That’s so disappointing. I enjoyed it every year.
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Same.
It is a sad development that US Equestrian is afraid of what future trainers might say. Why don’t they “vet” the trainers better. I’m sure what Ms. Prudent said was not new to those who invited her to speak. Just makes US Equestrian look fearful and controlling. If you believe in your programs a livestream shouldn’t be an issue.
My main issue with the livestream is that the instructor would be talking to a student about their riding but the video would only show the instructor so you couldn’t see what was going on and and possible correction.
Now if they did a full edit of the sessions where they fixed this issue then I would have no problems waiting a day or two to see it as a whole.
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I can see how young people might be more comfortable participating without the livestream.
Too bad for us though. I enjoyed watching every year.
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Well, they’re not concerned about the live spectators, so I think the problem is more with the audience than the program.
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The internet audience that is 
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I can see multiple reasons for not livestreaming the clinic.
- Concern about what a clinician may say.
- Concern about a SM uproar by virtual railbirds over some “incident” at the clinic.
- Concern about riders feeling embarrassed or even humiliated because they failed at a simple ask such as shortening their stirrups.
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It is a bummer to lose the live stream, but I also think this is a very fair point. There’s a lot of pressure walking into that clinic without the thought that the whole world, as well as the internet peanut gallery, will be watching and judging you.
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As sad as I am to lose the ability to watch it live and in its entirety, I think it is worth looking at certain clinics and educational opportunities (especially ones involving young riders) and saying “we are going to prioritize participant experience over having a live stream.”
Do I think it is also self serving to USEF by potentially avoiding having to deal with a situation where an uncouth statement gets broadcasted to thousands? Sure. But I do think it likely is a net benefit to the participants.
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I’ll be interested to see what sort of clips they post after the fact.
If it’s a 60 minute session and they post a 58 minute video clip of it, that would mean they’re posting the bulk of it for educational purposes with maybe a judicious edit here and there.
If it’s a 60 minute session and they post a 15 minute video…
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Isn’t that part of the point? They run it like a nations cup on purpose.
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This does NOT sit well with me. If you’re a JR participating at a clinic of this level, you should be used to having your rounds broadcasted - that is part of the piece of being a pro and it needs to be practiced as much as anything.
This is just a way for USEF to not have to avoid dealing with issues that, to be clear, it SHOULD be dealing with. Abusive training techniques need to be stopped regardless of the level, and simply “not showing it” doesn’t solve anything.
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Young people riding at this level should be used to it and able to handle it, TBH. EVERYTHING is livestreamed these days, and they’ve almost certainly done equitation finals before. So, it is hard to imagine that is really a factor for this particular event, even though they are being critiqued. I think we can point the finger directly at internet and social media scrutiny and comments from last year
It’s unfortunate to lose the full broadcast, this event tended to be very educational and often fun to watch.
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But it’s not a Nation’s Cup and it’s not an Equitation Final, it’s a learning experience. And when you’re trying to learn it’s usually best to do so in a judgement-free environment.
Honestly, if these kids were being fairly judged by the various armchair quarterbacks, then it would be a good lesson in dealing with pressure. But as it is there’s a good chance they’d go out, give it their best, do well, and still get torn apart on the internet. It’s kinda like don’t feed the trolls, and definitely don’t use minors as the bait.
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Then don’t sign up. But lets be real here, this change has zero to do with the participants and how they feel.
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This clinic has been livestreamed for years and years, hasn’t it? Maybe I’m not remembering, but I just don’t recall the riders ever being torn apart by the internet armchair quarterbacks. The only controversy I can think of is last year’s blow up surrounding Katie’s comments, which is why I agree 100% with this:
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In addition to the Katie hoopla last year, there was no shortage of “kids these days” served up with it. Those riders were absolutely raked over the coals in the name of defending Katie. And while I was solidly on the “hyperbole” team, I cringed at some of the insults slung at kids that were clearly struggling.
So while yes, I agree, Katie’s choice words were the primary driver behind this change, I could see shielding these kids from unwarranted, uneducated and often unkind criticism as an additional reason to adopt the policy.
And I don’t think this will be limited to this situation. There was some article recently, maybe COTH maybe not, about a veterinarian that was no longer a “spring chicken” but finally getting to enjoy showing again now that career wasn’t the #1 priority, and riding her admittedly young— but not unheard of young, QH (3 or 4 years) over fences, and she got absolutely annihilated in the comments. The entire thing was meant to be a Feel Good piece, and yet it turned that poor lady into Public Enemy #1. Like, who’s going to keep volunteering for this stuff when you just end up being the Bad Guy, no matter what you do?
Same thing with a TPH “Trainer Tuesday” piece this summer. A somewhat unfortunate blurb from the piece was chosen as the Social Media tagline, and taken out of context made the trainer that said it seem ungrateful at best, and a bit of a bitch at worst. Next thing she knows she’s having to defend herself all over the internet before she can even begin her work day.
Public scrutiny is one thing, internet pitchforks are another. I don’t begrudge anyone not wanting to put themselves out there as internet fodder solely to pursue an incredible educational opportunity.
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I guess I don’t feel like USEF’s intentions matter as much as the result of the change. Because of Katie’s comments going viral, the subject of her comments also went viral. Yes, I think it is heavily influenced by USEF not wanting a repeat of last year. But what happened last year didn’t just put a spotlight on Katie, it also put one on the rider she was talking to. I can imagine it was not a fun experience for the rider to see herself being harshly critiqued, and arguments over whether it was deserved or not, every time she opened up social media. USEF’s decision avoids that going forward.
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