Who is Andrew Temkin?

[westieeventer]

[h=1]SafeSport Center Bans Event![](ng Official Andrew Temkin[/h] By: Ann Glavan
Nov 8, 2018 - 1:18 PM
[IMG]http://www.chronofhorse.com/images/icon-print.png)Print
Andrew Temkin, a former U.S. Equestrian Federation and Fédération Equestre Internationale eventing official and member of USEF’s now-defunct SafeSport Ad Hoc Task Force, has been listed as permanently ineligible by the U.S. Center For SafeSport for sexual misconduct with a minor.

The Center’s decision was handed down Oct. 25, but in a statement regarding the Center’s decision, USEF representatives acknowledged the organization received a complaint about Temkin about five years ago.

“In 2013, we received a claim from a third party accusing Mr. Temkin of inappropriate behavior,” Bill Moroney, USEF CEO, stated through a representative. “However, that person was unwilling to provide any information that could be used to initiate a proper investigation into the claim.”

Earlier this year a complaint regarding Temkin was made to the U.S. Center For SafeSport, and Temkin was placed on temporary suspension in July. USEF representatives would not confirm whether the complaint received in 2013 was the same complaint made to the SafeSport Center in 2018.

“We can say that, unlike the 2013 complaint, in 2018 fact witnesses were identified, and they cooperated with investigators,” said Julian McPeak, USEF’s director of marketing and communications.

Temkin could not be reached for comment.

Temkin, San Rafael, California, competed through the CCI*** level, and he served as an S-level eventing technical delegate and an FEI two-star eventing technical delegate. In addition, Temkin served on the USEF SafeSport Ad Hoc Task Force—a group that formed in January of 2018 on the request of USEF CEO Murray Kessler to draft a rule that, among other things, would expand SafeSport training requirements. That group completed its mission and presented a proposal at the USEF Midyear Board Meeting in June.

Diane Pitts, chair of the USEF’s Governance Committee and former president of the U.S. Eventing Association, asked Temkin to serve on the task force, which was headed by USHJA President Mary Babick.

“Murray gave me free rein to choose the other members [on the committee]. I chose Diane Pitts from USEA,” said Babick. “She asked if she could send a designee, and I agreed. Andrew was that designee. I had never heard of him. He was great on the committee—very strong about the importance of SafeSport. Life does throw curveballs, and this was just that. I was really shocked to hear the news.”

Pitts clarified that she asked Temkin to be on the task force because the group was drafting the language of USEF’s SafeSport rule change, and Temkin, 47, is an attorney.

“I was not aware of any complaint against Andrew in 2013,” said Pitts. “Andrew was familiar with the issues involved in the language and, absent any information to the contrary, I believe was the appropriate person to include on that [committee] from eventing.”

According to USEF representatives, Kessler, Babick and Pitts were all unaware of the 2013 complaint. The 2013 complaint was made to USEF General Counsel Sonja Keating.

“It was a third-party complaint without sufficient information to initiate an investigation and was treated as confidential, as requested by the reporting party,” said Moroney.

Temkin will now be banned from coaching, competing, attending or officiating at any USEF-recognized events. Temkin is also suspended from the FEI, as all individuals suspended from the USEF are reciprocally.

To view a full list of individuals with SafeSport violations, click here.

[alicen]

Well, let that be a warning.

[OverandOnward]

@Scribbler

Consistent training does put everyone on the same page. It gives everyone a language and sets norms for the institution.

It doesn’t stop predators but it puts everyone around them on notice to stop the behavior. It lets young people put a name to creepy grooming behavior which they know is wrong but can’t figure out how to explain to parents. It also puts parents on notice to be aware of things for their own kids and others. And provides a reporting structure.

Sexual harassment in the workplace still exists but it is nowhere near as common 40 years ago. In some fields it has pretty much been eliminated, in others it is more underground or rarer. Some fields, particularly traditionally male jobs, are recalcitrant especially if they don’t want women working there at all. But I would say that most fields that have 50% women employees have really cleaned up their acts.

Very well said.

In addition to making members more aware of the avenues they have for redress, training helps educate everyone on how to behave themselves appropriately. Or more importantly, how not to behave. Some people honestly don’t know.

I have noticed that some horse professionals, especially those who started in their business at a young age many years ago and have never held a “regular” job, have obviously never had the training that corporate employees are exposed to on a yearly basis. Some of these pros come from a rather old-school environment as their primary model of adult behavior, and are clearly unaware of what speech and behavior will be unwelcome with many of their clients and the local horse community. There are people who don’t know that just because crusty old granddad made lewd remarks to female student riders, followed by a bellowing laugh, doesn’t mean it’s ok to do that now.

Even in the corporate workplace, hard as it may be to believe, there are people who manage to get a university degree and a good corporate job without ever finding out that it is not ok to put their arm around the waist of a co-worker and give them a squeeze without asking, or even having been introduced to them. Or that it is not ok to make suggestive remarks about a woman’s attire. Or that crossing what boundaries constitutes bullying. They are taken aback at the unfavorable reaction, because back in their unenlightened home environment everyone just laughs it off (outwardly).

The training helps everyone learn better how not to do something that will lead to a bad situation, without ever knowing it or intending harm.

Actually all of us probably have tendency to say or do something that is offending others, without realizing it. A little heads-up education can be a useful thing.

I’m guessing the 90 minutes covers a number of topics, and that’s why it is so lengthy. The range of this education continues to expand over time. It might be better to offer 3 or 4 smaller required sessions, and hold people accountable to completing all of them at their convenience. People will be more likely to remember what they heard than trying to learn the entire seminar in one 90 minute go.

[ladyj79]

@OverandOnward

I’m guessing the 90 minutes covers a number of topics, and that’s why it is so lengthy. The range of this education continues to expand over time. It might be better to offer 3 or 4 smaller required sessions, and hold people accountable to completing all of them at their convenience. People will be more likely to remember what they heard than trying to learn the entire seminar in one 90 minute go.

All very well said, just on this point, there are.multiple sections and you can stop and pick it up again at your convenience, it does not have to be all in one go.

[westieeventer]

I do not see Andrew listed on Safesport? Was he removed between Jan 31st and today?

“Jan. 31, 2019, 12:25 PM
SafeSport Center Bans Eventing Official Andrew Temkin
Andrew Temkin, a former U.S. Equestrian Federation and Fédération Equestre Internationale eventing official and member of USEF’s now-defunct SafeSport Ad Hoc Task Force, has been listed as permanently ineligible by the U.S. Center For SafeSport for sexual misconduct with a minor.”

[westieeventer]

Guess all you need is Kevin and Brian to fly in and then you are removed from the safe sport list. Let this be a warning. Lawyer and friend up and be removed from safesport

[westieeventer]

Also ask the USEA why members doing BN and elemental do NOT have to do safe sport training even if over 18. Basically USEA is assuming no elemental and BN adults would never touch a child. What is wrong with this picture. That some USEA adults do not need to complete safe sport. Here is a clue. Andrew got off because he was not the coach. Just the groper husband of the trainer

[RAyers]

@westieeventer

Also ask the USEA why members doing BN and elemental do NOT have to do safe sport training even if over 18. Basically USEA is assuming no elemental and BN adults would never touch a child. What is wrong with this picture. That some USEA adults do not need to complete safe sport. Here is a clue. Andrew got off because he was not the coach. Just the groper husband of the trainer

Before you go off reviving an old thread or making claims, I suggest you understand who the players are. USEA is not a “governing” body. It is considered strictly an educational entity that works under the governing body of the USEF. USEA does not establish the rules, the USEF does. Thus, your questions and issues should be with the USEF and not USEA.

[ladyj79]

@RAyers

Before you go off reviving an old thread or making claims, I suggest you understand who the players are. USEA is not a “governing” body. It is considered strictly an educational entity that works under the governing body of the USEF. USEA does not establish the rules, the USEF does. Thus, your questions and issues should be with the USEF and not USEA.

Or with safe sport, as USEF merely enforces safe sport rulings, they do not make them.

[westieeventer]

So you think it is OK that all over 18 members in USEF have to safe sport but not in USEA? I think the USEA should Man up and insist all over 18 members be part of safe sport. It is bullshit that the usea caved to pressure and members not wanting to do this but not shocking since not one but two past presidents of usea ran to the aid of the groper and he was taken off safe sports list! It not like he denied what he was accused of but he was simply not the trainer so it was OK with safe sport. You just can’t be the trainer and grope I guess?

[initiate1987]

@westieeventer

So you think it is OK that all over 18 members in USEF have to safe sport but not in USEA? I think the USEA should Man up and insist all over 18 members be part of safe sport. It is bullshit that the usea caved to pressure and members not wanting to do this but not shocking since not one but two past presidents of usea ran to the aid of the groper and he was taken off safe sports list! It not like he denied what he was accused of but he was simply not the trainer so it was OK with safe sport. You just can’t be the trainer and grope I guess?

Please do your research before you begin ranting without the facts. The USHJA just did a very informative seminar with someone from Safe Sport who came to their annual meeting that would answer a lot of your misgivings. COTH even wrote an article about it.

It does not matter to Safe Sport who people are in the equestrian world. They probably haven’t heard of any of them before their cases came in. They investigate very thoroughly before handing out bans and if someone wants to appeal, a third party arbitrator decides whether or not to uphold the ban. No one from USEF, USEA, or any other horse sport organization is a part of that decision. He would have had to have a water tight appeal to win, as only 1% of appeals have been overturned since Safe Sport came into being. If someone were able to win because of connections, GM should have been home free right after his ban was announced.

[RAyers]

@westieeventer

So you think it is OK that all over 18 members in USEF have to safe sport but not in USEA? I think the USEA should Man up and insist all over 18 members be part of safe sport. It is bullshit that the usea caved to pressure and members not wanting to do this but not shocking since not one but two past presidents of usea ran to the aid of the groper and he was taken off safe sports list! It not like he denied what he was accused of but he was simply not the trainer so it was OK with safe sport. You just can’t be the trainer and grope I guess?

Do you actually read the rules and the processes? Given that all recognized HTs are USEF governed, you can be pretty sure almost every USEA member has had their SS training. The only possible participants who may not get SS training are those who compete un-recognized.

[Gardenhorse]

@RAyers

Do you actually read the rules and the processes? Given that all recognized HTs are USEF governed, you can be pretty sure almost every USEA member has had their SS training. The only possible participants who may not get SS training are those who compete un-recognized.

Actually, I think you are the one who has the rules and processes wrong. You do not have to be a USEF member to compete at a recognized HT if you are competing below Preliminary. If you are not a USEF member, you don’t have to take SafeSport Training. I competed at multiple recognized horse trials this year without taking SafeSport training. Since the vast majority of entries at recognized HTs are below Preliminary, I am guessing there are a significant number of USEA members who have not had SafeSport training. I agree that it seems to be a weird loophole and should be addressed.

[gottagrey]

@Bethe Mounce

I saw where his name has been added to the Safe Sport “list.” Got an email this morning from USEF. Never heard of him. He is in California. This “list” USEF maintains I think should not be a member only access. Should be open to anyone who competes at any show regardless of membership status…just sayin’…

Edited to add the list IS available to non-members. USEF responded very promptly to my inquiry about who can see it. Good that everyone can see it, member or not.

Remember that USEF is a membership organization and does not have any jurisdiction over non USEF sanctioned events or activities. Therefore, only members are made aware of any sanctions against individuals - whether they be related to Safe Sport, indebtedness to a show, violating drug rules or amateur rules. This is not to say that a nonmember can’t go on the Safe Sport list to see who’s on it and sometimes you can log on to USEF to see who’s been sanctioned without being a member.

FWIW many working adults with corporate jobs have to take some form of harassment training thru their companies - so mandating that everyone over 18 take Safe Sport in some ways can be a bit of overkill. Do you really think a sexual predator who takes safe sport training will no longer be a sexual predator? Wishful thinking. The thing is with many sports there are so many other parties involved - volunteers, photographers, jump crew, vendors etc - none of them are required unless they are owners or competitors.

[gottagrey]

Oh dear I got sucked into to this old thread too - Apparently Temkin was reinstated back in March 2019
Andrew Temkin has been reinstated as a member in good standing with the U.S. Equestrian Federation following arbitration with the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

Temkin, a USEF and Fédération Equestre Internationale eventing official from San Rafael, California, who has competed through the CCI4*-L level, was listed as permanently ineligible for membership by the USEF, with the organization citing “sexual misconduct with a minor” as the reason, last fall.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport received the complaint against Temkin in early 2018 and temporarily suspended him beginning in July, pending a full investigation. In October the SafeSport Center handed down a lifetime suspension, which USEF is obligated to enforce.

However, after receiving the lifetime suspension, Temkin had one last option for recourse with the U.S. Center for SafeSport: to enter arbitration. He did so, and after reviewing the complaint, the arbitrator ruled that a seven-month suspension was more appropriate for Temkin’s situation.

“The SafeSport Code allows responding parties to request an independent arbitration as a part of its process, which is designed to balance the safety and rights of athletes,” said Kate Brannen, a public relations representative for SafeSport.

Since Temkin had already effectively served a seven-month suspension while waiting for the results of the arbitration, he was eligible to be reinstated immediately. The arbitrator’s decision is binding, meaning neither Temkin nor the Center can appeal it.

“The U.S. Center for SafeSport notified USEF that following a January 31, 2019 arbitration hearing, an arbitrator set-aside the Director’s Decision, and accordingly modified the sanction issued to a seven-month suspension beginning June 29, 2018,” said USEF CEO Bill Moroney in an emailed statement. “As such, the decision is final, and the suspension has been fully served. Mr. Temkin’s membership status has been restored, and he is eligible to participate.”

Temkin is listed as a technical delegate at The Fork Horse Trials in Mill Spring, North Carolina, scheduled for April 4-7.

“I am grateful for the support that I have received from across the equestrian community and the arbitrator’s decision to restore my status,” Temkin said in a written statement to the Chronicle. “This has been a very difficult time for me and my family. I have no additional comment on this matter.”

Representatives from the Center for SafeSport and the USEF declined comment on specifics surrounding Temkin’s case, citing privacy concerns.

To view a full list of individuals with SafeSport violations, click here.

https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/andrew-temkin-reinstated-as-usef-member-after-safesport-suspension-lifted