WEC/USEF Announcement

[MHM]

This email came out today from USEF.

US Equestrian and World Equestrian Center Ocala Issue a Joint Statement

The United States Equestrian Federation (“USEF”) and World Equestrian Center Ocala (“WEC”) are pleased to announce that they have agreed to work together on a plan for WEC to host USEF sanctioned competitions in the future. USEF and WEC agree that it is in the best interest of the sport for them to work collaboratively.

Formulating this plan will require some time for both USEF and WEC to meet and consider what is best for equestrian sport and all of its stakeholders, while prioritizing horse and rider welfare, and operating under the rules that govern all USEF organizers.

To allow time for that process to unfold, the USEF has withdrawn its request to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) to declare the 2021 Ocala Winter Classic Spectacular unsanctioned, and therefore riders, officials, and horses may compete there this winter without being sanctioned by the FEI or USEF. Assuming development of a mutually agreed upon plan, WEC has agreed not to host any other new competitions that are not authorized by USEF. The USEF recognizes WEC’s existing relationship with the National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) and that WEC will endeavor to include NSBA within such authorized competitions.

In agreeing to this interim measure, the USEF considered how important it was for its members to have abundant competition opportunities this winter following a period during which many events were cancelled because of COVID-19.

The goal now shared by both USEF and WEC is to have a plan agreed to in the coming weeks and once that is achieved, the plan will be shared publicly.

http://links.usef.mkt7856.com/servlet/MailView?ms=MTgyNjcxOTgS1&r=MTMyMTYwNTg5NzAyS0&j=MjAyMjY0MzEzMQS2&mt=1&rt=0

[IPEsq]

@MHM

Assuming development of a mutually agreed upon plan, WEC has agreed not to host any other new competitions that are not authorized by USEF.

Is this ever? What about other disciplines? It sounds like a lawyer wrote this press release. Why am I skeptical of this “good news”?

[paw]

I wonder what really happened here? Too many folks opting to go to WEC anyway would be my guess, or perhaps a threat of a restraint of trade lawsuit… Am looking forward to hear more.

[redpepper]

What baloney is this press release? If USEF wanted to ensure "abundant competition’ they would never have started this debacle in the first place!

[mmeqcenter]

Yeah this sounds like a load of manure.

WEC has to have every show they want to put on be “authorized” by USEF? Authorized, not sanctioned, so they could run a schooling show, say, but USEF has to “authorize it?”
Why should USEF have any control whatsoever over non-sanctioned shows?

Thoughts and dreams of affordably showing at an incredible facility without the USEF umbrella…dashed.
How disappointing.

[MorganSercu]

@MHM

The USEF recognizes WEC’s existing relationship with the National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) and that WEC will endeavor to include NSBA within such authorized competitions

That has the whiff of dead dreams.

[Halternatively]

@MHM

WEC has agreed not to host any other new competitions that are not authorized by USEF.

This has me wondering … does this mean that shows at WEC are cancelled until USEF and WEC come up with an agreement??

[skydy]

I really hope that the NSBA hasn’t been thrown under the bus by the WEC owners. It sounds rather like it.

[mmeqcenter]

I interpreted “new competitions” to mean any that are not already scheduled.

[skydy]

i went back and read it again. Maybe I’m reading it wrong but perhaps they are only referencing the FEI bits?
I can’t tell. It’s late and my ability to decipher that sort of blather is not up to par. It does sound as if they are still negotiating.

[Jealoushe]

@Halternatively

This has me wondering … does this mean that shows at WEC are cancelled until USEF and WEC come up with an agreement?

I thought it said they were running shows as previously stated but any future shows need to go into review with USEF and WEC.

[AmmyHunter]

This announcement sounds much like a Letter of Intent - agree on a framework, and agree to work in good faith to try to agree on the further details to flesh that out. It’s a start, and we can hope it reflects USEF “reading the room” at least a tiny bit, and a recognition of the interest in WEC and similar situations, though I’m not expecting them to have a sudden awakening! The demand is there, particularly for winter circuits where only limited areas of the country can host outdoor shows, and it could and should be worked out for future years.

[Momateur]

USEF: “Okay, WEC, we’ll play with you if you promise NEVER TO TALK TO ANYONE ELSE EVER AGAIN.”

Sounds like a controlling boyfriend to me.

We live in a capitalist society. Why shouldn’t WEC have the freedom to make money any honest way it can? Is USEF going to guarantee a minimum number of shows per year? Because if not, WEC could be agreeing to lose money here.

[oreo_mom]

And then it will be used for the original intent— a warehouse facility amidst its 4 MILLION square feet of commercial space

[skydy]

I bet the WEC folks have better attorneys than does USEF.

[MHM]

I posted this in a previous thread on the topic. Apparently the former general counsel for the FEI now represents WEC.

[skydy]

@MHM

I posted this in a previous thread on the topic. Apparently the former general counsel for the FEI now represents WEC.

Yes, I remember that. I believe it was one of the reasons I’d bet on WEC’s legal representation over USEF’s , though she had a little different CV with the FEI than I was expecting. https://www.morgansl.com/en/msl-team/lisa-lazarus