I think Ocala is going to be crazy packed this year. You’ve got the 2000 stalls at WEC sold out, plus HITS. I have heard alot of people say they are going for a month or the entire season, instead of a few weekends because they are working from home and the kids are schooling remote. Why stay in New England and freeze if you can go to Florida? The farm/house rental business has been very, very strong. I honestly don’t know anyone who has said they aren’t going because of COVID, and lots of people who have said if they are ever going to do it this is the year to go. Also, last winter/early spring cases in Ocala were very, very minimal. Weather is great and there is never a reason to go inside. Compare that to 25 degree flu season
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I’m sure Roberts knew exactly what he was doing plopping that facility here. There’s already a ton of show business from HITS, and it’s pretty well known that people are FED. UP. with HITS shows and crappy facilities, not to mention fed up with USEF itself. I have never heard a bad word from people I know that have shown at Wilmington. I’d be shocked if WEC South has a bad turnout, whether the shows are schooling, NSBA, or USEF doesn’t really matter IMO.
Looking at the Florida Horse Park calendar, there’s many instances of recognized shows (USDF and USEA) running/that ran concurrently or within a week of unrecognized shows/equestrian events. USEF’s faux concern for horse health and safety regarding unrecognized shows is trash.
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I just looked at the WEC Prizelist. With my 2’6 hunter I can show in a $3500 2’6 adult derby AND. A $5000 non pro 2’6 derby EVERY WEEK, and the 2’6 adult hunters, completely unrated, also gives money. I don’t need to join NSBA to care about points. Plus I can get $250 a week back on a free stall?
And all HITS offers me is a $500 Bit o Straw classic?
I am the clientele that’ll love WEC. I could give a you know what that it’s not USEF rated. Finally us little people have a Florida show we can enjoy!!! (I’m not going, but boy I’d be excited if I was!)
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The prize money will be coming down now w the free stalls but that is even better because if you fall off you still get money 
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OK, but if you wanted to get yourself a D&M sanction from the NSBA, you can only do that once, or only as often as you could with the USEF, right? If they test and regulate drug use within that world, what’s the problem?
I’ve heard people claiming it’ll be a free for all of abused horses. No drug testing, any bits allowed, no fines for drugging or abuse, poling everywhere.
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So…given USEF’s aggressive actions here…has any consideration been given to antitrust concerns here? I know that sports organizations get a lot of leeway and deference under antitrust law, but even so…USEF’s actions in pulling its dates sure seem like anticompetitive activity against the NSBA and WEC.
Anyone with experience in antitrust law (mine is limited and from 15+years ago) have any insight?
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Have you seen some of the mouthpieces that are between the D rings at USEF shows. It’s astonishing.
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Given that NSBA has rules about all of the issues you mention @enjoytheride, I don’t think that’s going to be a huge issue.
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Do you typically compete in divisions that offers National Points? And even if you do are you in the running for a HOY award? If not, traveling to FL to compete makes no difference if it is rated or not. Look for the best bang for your buck. A beautiful facility with a management team that has already proved they can provide a good product AND offer me a chance tosave some $$$$ and even win some, would be my choice.
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He wishes he was the puppetmaster - at this point I think he has been upstaged.
Because 'Murica: You don’t have to have any basis for the random claims you make. Seriously: How do you fling crap like that around before you even ask if the NSBA does any drug regulation… (which need only suck no less than what the USEF does).
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I’m not an antitrust lawyer, but I think because USEF is the Congressionally designated governing body for equestrian, there is a lot of wiggle room. The 11th Circuit at least has said there’s no antitrust issue with the mileage rule https://casetext.com/case/jes-properties-inc-v-usa-equestrian-inc
Recent summary from antitrust perspective https://www.natlawreview.com/article/usef-s-mileage-rule-14-year-journey-jes-properties
By pulling the USEF licenses, USEF isn’t keeping WEC from running horse shows. But just keeping them from running USEF horse shows (and probably FEI too). It is to a degree anticompetitive, but the above case suggests that some anticompetitive behavior is necessary to effectively promote and govern the sport. I do not necessarily agree.
One wrinkle in the way equestrian is set up is that the shows have a mix of national/international athletes and those that are not. Those that are not could put their money wherever they want, in theory, in competition with USEF sanctioned events. However, a lot of those people train with professionals who need to participate in USEF events and/or hold FEI licenses. Maybe this will prompt the rise of assistant trainer strings and give more business to other programs.
As noted by several on this thread, if you are going to Florida for the weather and showing out of your zone, then there’s little competitive benefit (i.e., benefit outside of the experience) if you aren’t going for national qualifying points–HOTY, Big Eq, etc.
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They are also saying if you are an FEI rider and show at WEC in the NSBA classes that you won’t be able to show FEI for several months after.
Wondering if they will go after judges too, like they did this winter with the online show judging.
I missed the whole thing about the judges at the online shows. What happened? Link?
It’s just for FEI licensed officials. Same as FEI riders. Can’t participate in unsanctioned events.
Interesting, thanks.
I thought I read, that USEF was trying to make it the same for USEF riders and showing here.
I listened to the Plaid Horse podcast that was released yesterday where they interviewed the Roberts. Highly recommended listening. I got a good feeling about them and the shoes they run.
Lord knows we’ve all been to crappy USEF shows and great county shows so the manager and facility definitely play a part.
I guess now we wait. No horse in the race as I am not likely to ever show in Florida.
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