PrintEven after a golden performance at the Olympic Games, our columnist warns that we must not become complacent.
Just after the Spruce Meadows Masters in mid-September, Signe Ostby and her husband, Scott Cook, hosted a lovely fundraiser dinner party for the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation at their home in Woodside, Calif.
About 50 people attended, lots of old friends and some new ones too—Jane Clark, Bonnie Jenkins, Mikey Murphy Hoag, Nonie Ramsey, and many others just to name a few.
During dinner I talked to the guests and benefactors about our U.S. Equestrian Federation International High Performance Program. First I asked a question: What is each and every person’s international ambition? Very, very few people pose that question to themselves. And I am talking about riders, trainers, teachers, sponsors and horse show organizers. They “think” locally and perhaps nationally but rarely internationally, which is only natural.
I grew up during and just after World War II when 19th century nationalism around the world was most pronounced and to be expected. This was still an age of military discipline, neatness, manners, spit-and-polish turn out and work ethic. These qualities were expected of all strata of society, but especially of the wealthy and socially prominent.
Now, of course, world culture and society is much different, often looser, lazier, and often lacking respect. Now the world has shrunk drastically, which has dissipated and diluted many national characteristics, but that is also a good thing.
We were always brought up to revere country and team. Winning for the USET, raising the American flag, and playing the “Star Spangled Banner” was what it was all about.
Now let me assure you, most Americans still think that way 100 percent. However, there are some people who don’t, and it makes me scratch my head. I’m sure there are two sides to the story, personal disappointments, and special friendships to contend with, but I still don’t always get it.
What gets me up in the morning goes farther than country, flag and USET. I have always been rabidly passionate and protective of the American system of riding as well as its style and quality of horsemanship. When we do well we are an example to the world of the kind of equitation (1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games) and when we do badly we are letting our system down.
The United States has an incredible, individual, unique horsemanship like no other in the world. Yes, it is a riding history derived from Europe, but it is not European. It is ours and it is special. Our mentality appreciates the light, the soft, and the smooth. And we’ve had enormous success competing internationally for the better part of a century.
Education Is Key
What do we need as an ongoing basis for our International High Performance Program to be successful? Firstly and lastly, education.
People from every country complain to me of a lack of real and deep education. That is the first and foremost reason for all accidents today. Riding and jumping horses at best is a very high-risk sport. Lack of education and lack of discipline is an accident begging to happen.
Just after the Spruce Meadows Masters in mid-September, Signe Ostby and her husband, Scott Cook, hosted a lovely fundraiser dinner party for the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation at their home in Woodside, Calif.
About 50 people attended, lots of old friends and some new ones too—Jane Clark, Bonnie Jenkins, Mikey Murphy Hoag, Nonie Ramsey, and many others just to name a few.
During dinner I talked to the guests and benefactors about our U.S. Equestrian Federation International High Performance Program. First I asked a question: What is each and every person’s international ambition? Very, very few people pose that question to themselves. And I am talking about riders, trainers, teachers, sponsors and horse show organizers. They “think” locally and perhaps nationally but rarely internationally, which is only natural.
I grew up during and just after World War II when 19th century nationalism around the world was most pronounced and to be expected. This was still an age of military discipline, neatness, manners, spit-and-polish turn out and work ethic. These qualities were expected of all strata of society, but especially of the wealthy and socially prominent.
Now, of course, world culture and society is much different, often looser, lazier, and often lacking respect. Now the world has shrunk drastically, which has dissipated and diluted many national characteristics, but that is also a good thing.
We were always brought up to revere country and team. Winning for the USET, raising the American flag, and playing the “Star Spangled Banner” was what it was all about.
Now let me assure you, most Americans still think that way 100 percent. However, there are some people who don’t, and it makes me scratch my head. I’m sure there are two sides to the story, personal disappointments, and special friendships to contend with, but I still don’t always get it.
What gets me up in the morning goes farther than country, flag and USET. I have always been rabidly passionate and protective of the American system of riding as well as its style and quality of horsemanship. When we do well we are an example to the world of the kind of equitation (1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games) and when we do badly we are letting our system down.
The United States has an incredible, individual, unique horsemanship like no other in the world. Yes, it is a riding history derived from Europe, but it is not European. It is ours and it is special. Our mentality appreciates the light, the soft, and the smooth. And we’ve had enormous success competing internationally for the better part of a century.
Education Is Key
What do we need as an ongoing basis for our International High Performance Program to be successful? Firstly and lastly, education.
People from every country complain to me of a lack of real and deep education. That is the first and foremost reason for all accidents today. Riding and jumping horses at best is a very high-risk sport. Lack of education and lack of discipline is an accident begging to happen.
