Kevin B's Letter to Us.

[Auburn]

How many of you have been over to the USEA website and read Kevin B's new letter to the membership?

What do you think of his comments about "TPTB" mentality?

Have you given back to our sport this year by volunteering?

[Hannahsmom]

How many of you have been over to the USEA website and read Kevin B's new letter to the membership?

What do you think of his comments about "TPTB" mentality?

Have you given back to our sport this year by volunteering?

It's well written, doesn't address a lot of the open questions although it does touch on a few.

I already volunteer time and already donate to my local events (in the form of entry fees where I have had to scratch after closing, LOL), I was curious when he encouraged people to donate to the USEA so went to the part of the website that says contribute. When I got there it wasn't clear where you could donate to a particular program vs. just a general donation to USEA, how is that done?

[Auburn]

Last year, when I sent in my renewal for my USEA membership, I thought that there was a section to make specific donations. I remember making a donation to the fund for injured riders.

[JER]

Well...

From the letter:
I think we all need to hold ourselves up to a higher standard, fully realizing that the issues facing the sport of Eventing are complex, consensus as to solutions is not always immediately attainable, and therefore in the real world of the sport's governance the people who make a difference are those who are willing to roll up their sleeves and make a committed effort over the long run to create that consensus. "Power," like "opportunity," is often what you make of it.

That last sentence gives me pause. Lots of pause. Especially when 'power' is in the hands of a very small group of people. At the Safety Summit, I saw a lot of power on display. I also saw a lot of people who were looking for an opportunity to participate in the safety debate and campaign but it was clear their efforts and input weren't welcome.

And further down the page:
Two of our most energetic members, Malcolm Hook and Gina Miles, have been at the forefront of the key safety-related rule changes that have been pushed through the rule-making process since last December. In March of this year, Gina took on the monumental task of leading the (all volunteer) USEA Eventing Standards Task Force despite the fact that she was in the midst of her final preparation for the Olympic Games. Malcolm also served on that Task Force, a significant burden when added to the countless volunteer hours he committed to his chairmanship of the (all volunteer) USEF Eventing Technical Committee.

Ok. I have big issues with this.

If Gina Miles is busy preparing for the Olympics, why is she being asked to take on the 'monumental task' of chairing an important safety committee? Gina is a lovely person and a good rider but what is her expertise in the field of safety? Why not find someone who has adequate time to devote to the committee? Why not find someone who has an especially qualified perspective and knowledge of safety issues?

Same goes for Malcolm Hook. I applaud him for volunteering his time. I applaud him for his expertise and longevity in the sport. But seriously, go back to the first point about TPTB and 'opportunity' -- why are we talking about the 'burden' of serving on additional committees when there are other people out there willing and able to do the job?

I know there are many people, myself included, who've written the USEA volunteering their services and describing their areas of expertise. I have yet to meet anyone who's gotten any response.

Contribute! Every single one of those volunteer members of the Board of Governors (as well as many of our staffers and hundreds of other USEA members) have contributed money this year to help fund our various safety initiatives. I hope that you have given generously to the USEA, and that you encourage your friends and fellow USEA members to give as well.

I'd love to donate to fund 'safety initiatives'. How does one do that? If you go to 'donate (http://www.useventing.com/aboutus.php?section=donate)' on the USEA website, it gives no information on how to fund 'safety initiatives' nor does it describe any of those 'safety initiatives'.

The page does say I can send money and they'll use it for their various programs like the ICP and website development but that's not really the same thing as contributing money to fund a safety initiative.

(I will, of course, write the USEA and KB with my concerns.)

[GreyDun]

I already volunteer time and already donate to my local events (in the form of entry fees where I have had to scratch after closing, LOL), I was curious when he encouraged people to donate to the USEA so went to the part of the website that says contribute. When I got there it wasn't clear where you could donate to a particular program vs. just a general donation to USEA, how is that done?

If you go to "Donate" on the USEA site (top right corner) - it will take you to a section that explains about the donations. Then at the bottom, you can click to go to "Dashboard" where you can specify which program you'd like your contribution to support.

Here is the link: https://dashboard.useventing.com/dashboard/webSiteDonation.do?donationProcess=view

[tbeventer]

JER: I think you bring up some excellent points. I have NOT read the letter yet, but am now anxious to do so. So, how do folks like myself get on the safety comittee and the other committees that have so much power? I'd be happy to volunteer my time, but for some reason I think they want more people like Gina who have been to the top and are well recognized... not some adult ammie who is barely a pro because of teaching the local PC's and has had some horses come up through the levels.

[NeverTime]

I'd be happy to volunteer my time, but for some reason I think they want more people like Gina who have been to the top and are well recognized... not some adult ammie who is barely a pro because of teaching the local PC's and has had some horses come up through the levels.

I think you are illustrating his point exactly. I'm not sure he could make a more obvious call for people at the lower levels of the sport to get involved -- hopefully once you read the letter, you'll no longer assusme they don't want people just like YOU. :yes: (And, more to the point, good on you for being willing to volunteer your time!:yes:)

[tbeventer]

Because of JER's excellent look at the letter to the USEA, I ran and read it and have a couple comments...

First of all, he begins by saying people have written him with complaints and concerns and he appreciates that. I have written him on several occassions and received NOTHING. Not even a generic email that mine has been received. I'm a little urked by this, since I am originally from the same Area as Kevin and even used to volunteer with him at events. We even competed agains each other at my first event. Not that he can answer every email, but I find it a little upsetting that he wants people to have an open discussion, yet doesn't necessarily contact them back in any form.

Secondly:

"Second, come to the Annual Meeting in New Orleans this December. The details are on the USEA website. At a time like this, it is vitally important that we have broad member participation in the ongoing discussion regarding the direction of the sport. That discussion will be front and center in New Orleans. If you care about our sport, you should be there.

Third, and at the risk of repeating myself, please give. Join your fellow members in givingto the USEA to help support the programs that are making a difference."

My family sacrifices a lot to allow me to ride and compete. My poor husband was not a horse person before meeting me and it is because of him that I continued riding, rather than selling everything and making horses a thing of the past. I would LOVe to go to the annual meeting, but I can't. We can't afford for me to take the time and the money to take a "vacation", which is what it would be to go to the annual meeting!
That goes hand in hand with his last request of donating money. If I give money, then there is no way that I can be at a convention to make my voice heard. In a perfect world, we would all have money to throw around, but I know that most of those that compete are in a similar situation as myself: their families suupport them emotionally, financially, and physically. When most of your weekends are spent competing, (multiply that by about $350+ per entry here in area VI), then a trip to the National Convention is out of the question, unless it's in your neck of the woods.
Trainers know that the majoirty of their clientele isn't going to be other pros, but adult ammies who have families to support and take care of. Why can't the rest of the equine community realize that?
Furthermore, we are in a down economy right now and although I'm sure people would love to give to the USEA, there are more pressing issues like making sure your family and horses are taken care of.

I know his heart is in the right place, but I think more consideration needs to be made with those that are the majoirty of the eventing population. Rather than beg us to give more, which every non profit is requesting, why not be appreciative of what peopl have given and help figure out ways that people can give back time wise WITHOUT having to put more money out.
Thank you for allowing me to complain upon my miniature soap box.:yes:

[tbeventer]

I think you are illustrating his point exactly. I'm not sure he could make a more obvious call for people at the lower levels of the sport to get involved -- hopefully once you read the letter, you'll no longer assusme they don't want people just like YOU. :yes: (And, more to the point, good on you for being willing to volunteer your time!:yes:)


Before I ever evented, my family volunteered at a local Eventing organization's event building fences and doing whatever we could to help prepare the event. It was a great opportunity and I got to work alongside Todd Trewin and other notable names learning the skill of building fences. A few years later, my father took on the task of designing and building our Pony Club's XC course for 2 recognized HT a year. Every day he was there, I got drug out to help paint or for other manual labor. Along the way, I was in YR and had to do the work parties at our YR horse trials AND jump judge. Then there was what is now Rebecca Farm in Montana where we also were encouraged (somewhat forcably) to jump judge. I've done everything from scoring to being an out rider (when they existed).
Now, I am a mother who has two horses competing. One at Intermediate and one who is beginning his career at Novice--soon to be training, with a third on the way in the spring. I don't have time to volunteer at most of the events, although I would love to. Everything is a 4+ hour drive from where I live, so gonig for work parties isn't the best way to go about helping out. At events, I don't have time to volunteer with a 2 year old running along side me. Fortunately, we have rent a YR here, so I can usually donate some money YR and have my daughter watched, otherwise it's begging the warm up steward to keep an eye on her for the 5 minutes I compete or getting to know my barn mates well.
However, I do have time when I'm not competing that could be volunteered, just like Gina and others who are busy running around and riding horses at events.
If I added up my time volunteering between the ages of 10 and 20, I'm sure those 10 years would be more time than I could even dream of volunteering now. However, at many of the events, although they have volunteers, there are a lot of paid positions, like those building jumps are now paid at many events around here. The sport has changes a lot and so have all the nuts and bolts to making an event run. Part of the joy of paying your huge wad of cash is not having to expend any more work than what it took for you to get there. I think that should also be understood and appreciated in the end.

I may not be able to donate to the USEA financially or volunteer AT events, but I do donate most of my weekends to the local Pony Clubs. If I do get paid, it's quite small for the amount of time invested, but I find my own ways of helping out the eventing industry, particularly in the name of safety.

[bambam]

So the letter says:
"The rule changes resulting from that effort that have either gone into effect or will soon go into effect involve, among other things:
· much stricter move-up qualifications;
· the implementation of the "one-fall" rule;
· the development of a set of "reverse qualifications" providing that a horse/rider combination move down a level when they have consistently have problems at the higher level;
· the implementation of a set of rules providing officials with broader tools for dealing with dangerous riding;
· the mandatory and expanded use of frangible technology on cross-country jumps (including open oxers); and
· the establishment of a "watch list" to identify and deal with problems before they become accidents"
So are these rules such as the "broader tools" for DR and the reverse qualifications going to be seen by the membership before they become rules? Did I miss announcements about these? I am all for them (at least in theory), but I am honestly wondering if I missed info distributed about them.
I think it is great that Kevin is responding to individual emails and I have no doubt his heart is in the right place, but part of the problem as I see it is communication with the whole membership. Why weren't updates posted about these efforts- if they were he would probably get fewer personal emails and the membership would feel better about what steps USEA is taking. For example, I thought the reverse qualification idea was stuck somewhere in no man's land- I am glad to know they are moving forward with it. Although it is possible I am off-base here and I missed info posted or distributed about it
As for volunteering for something- it is not as easy as simply contacting USEA or your area folks and offering (unless you are volunteering for an individual HT) and it should be

[JER]

If you go to "Donate" on the USEA site (top right corner) - it will take you to a section that explains about the donations. Then at the bottom, you can click to go to "Dashboard" where you can specify which program you'd like your contribution to support.

Here is the link: https://dashboard.useventing.com/dashboard/webSiteDonation.do?donationProcess=view

GreyDun, your link takes me to a list of programs to select for donation. These are existing programs, only some of which have a safety component, and there's nothing on the list that I would consider a 'safety initiative'.

[Gnep]

For some odd reason I feel a huge disconect with that letter and the org that stands behind it.
Like a 700 billion bail out.

What I see is a ever larger Organisation or Organisations, that plows rules onto us, fees and services that have no use and circles around the questions.

Who cares about the so called doping at BN to T, its chicken shit, P and A, very much ok.

We keep lower level riders to the highest standards and excuse those standards at the upper levels.

It is sand into your eyes.

Gina and Malcom, I real appriciat what they try to do for the sport and the time they put in.
But it not Gina and Malcom who make the sport possible and not the volunteers of the board of governors, its the guys with no posts and board.

I am ready to quit both Orgs, because they do not have the guts to adress the problems and just keep on leaning on their members and missuses the army of volunteers.

A fresh start is what is needed, instead of warm words.

[Hannahsmom]

If you go to "Donate" on the USEA site (top right corner) - it will take you to a section that explains about the donations. Then at the bottom, you can click to go to "Dashboard" where you can specify which program you'd like your contribution to support.

Here is the link: https://dashboard.useventing.com/dashboard/webSiteDonation.do?donationProcess=view

Thanks. I'm not sure what is the purpose of each of those committees and what their goal is, will have to go back to the website and dig more. One more question, how are these committees normally budgeted? Is it a financial budget approved at the beginning of the calendar year and then any additional money donated to that particular program added in? Or does that mean money originally budgeted gets moved elsewhere? Another point of interest to me (I'm sure I could wade throught and dig it up somewhere) is who on those particular committees determine how the money gets spent, do they submit mini-budgets to the overall budget or what?

I ask because I am at the point this year where I gave up lessons and entering the number of events because of gas costs and the economy. Since Kevin is suggesting we donate, I'd like to know that my money would be spent wisely.

[flyingchange]

So is the USEA having a budget crisis?

I am not sure what Joe Whitehouse does? What is her salary? What does she do on a day-to-day basis?

As far as going to the convention in New Orleans. I would love to go if only to be there for Lucinda when she addresses the room. Especially when the one-fall-rule comes up.

But, since KB seems to be living on a different planet ... most of us are doing financial acrobatics just to make it out to a few HTs this year ... I won't go in to keeping the grain buckets full. The idea of traveling to New Orleans for a mini-holiday is ludicrous to most of us. Not to mention that most of are already scratching our heads as to how to deal with the $$$ that Christmas implies on top of everything else we will be dealing with. For those that are able to go, that is great. More power to you. Most of us would be choosing against keeping the horses in feed for 2 or 3 months versus a trip to NO.

Am I feeling down about USEA right now? Yes. Why? Because the immediate measures that could have and should have been legislated by now to improve safety still have not happend: 1) Ban square tables on XC and 2) increase optimum times to match course design.

Instead, we get knee-jerk reaction-based rule changes. One fall and you are out rule - based on feelings and not numbers. "More stringent" move up qualifications that are a joke. These new qualifications correlate dressage scores with XC safety and ability. Which is TOTAL BULLSHIT.

No return-to-play policy when it comes to one of our BNRs with a massive head injury coming back into the sport.

Lots of talk about dangerous riding penalties and reprecussions but when above BNR barges into another competitor's SJ round at a USEA-event - no reprecussions.

And I am also bothered by the accusation that we the USEA members look to USEA as a "customer service" provider. I have not heard anyone talk about USEA in that manner. Look to USEA for leadership in a time of crisis? Demand (effective) answers and not "bam! We're eliminating you after one fall! See! We did something!" That is too much akin to announcing plans to fire the SEC chairman to show you are a leader and you act as one!! B.S.

Finally - the relentless showcasing of ULRs in the heights of glory after winning this CIC*** or that CIC** ... on the USEA website. Excuse me, but USEA is about national HTs. USEA governs HTs at T and below. Please, FOR ONCE, show someone winning the Novice level HT at a local USEA-sanctioned HT. I, and a lot of other LL eventers that I know, do not give a rats a$$ about which BNR is winning which international horse TRIAL on a given weekend.

[RAyers]

Music to my ears. Time for a refrain! ;)

Reed



...

Am I feeling down about USEA right now? Yes. Why? Because the immediate measures that could have and should have been legislated by now to improve safety still have not happend: 1) Ban square tables on XC and 2) increase optimum times to match course design.

Instead, we get knee-jerk reaction-based rule changes. One fall and you are out rule - based on feelings and not numbers. "More stringent" move up qualifications that are a joke. These new qualifications correlate dressage scores with XC safety and ability. Which is TOTAL BULLSHIT.

No return-to-play policy when it comes to one of our BNRs with a massive head injury coming back into the sport.

Lots of talk about dangerous riding penalties and reprecussions but when above BNR barges into another competitor's SJ round at a USEA-event - no reprecussions.

And I am also bothered by the accusation that we the USEA members look to USEA as a "customer service" provider. I have not heard anyone talk about USEA in that manner. Look to USEA for leadership in a time of crisis? Demand (effective) answers and not "bam! We're eliminating you after one fall! See! We did something!" That is too much akin to announcing plans to fire the SEC chairman to show you are a leader and you act as one!! B.S.

Finally - the relentless showcasing of ULRs in the heights of glory after winning this CIC*** or that CIC** ... on the USEA website. Excuse me, but USEA is about national HTs. USEA governs HTs at T and below. Please, FOR ONCE, show someone winning the Novice level HT at a local USEA-sanctioned HT. I, and a lot of other LL eventers that I know, do not give a rats a$$ about which BNR is winning which international horse TRIAL on a given weekend.

[snoopy]

So is the USEA having a budget crisis?

I am not sure what Joe Whitehouse does? What is her salary? What does she do on a day-to-day basis?


But, since KB seems to be living on a different planet ... most of us are doing
Am I feeling down about USEA right now? Yes. Why? Because the immediate measures that could have and should have been legislated by now to improve safety still have not happend: 1) Ban square tables on XC and 2) increase optimum times to match course design.


Lots of talk about dangerous riding penalties and reprecussions but when above BNR barges into another competitor's SJ round at a USEA-event - no reprecussions.

And I am also bothered by the accusation that we the USEA members look to USEA as a "customer service" provider. I have not heard anyone talk about USEA in that manner. Look to USEA for leadership in a time of crisis? Demand (effective) answers and not "bam! We're eliminating you after one fall! See! We did something!" That is too much akin to announcing plans to fire the SEC chairman to show you are a leader and you act as one!! B.S.

Finally - the relentless showcasing of ULRs in the heights of glory after winning this CIC*** or that CIC** ... on the USEA website. Excuse me, but USEA is about national HTs. USEA governs HTs at T and below. Please, FOR ONCE, show someone winning the Novice level HT at a local USEA-sanctioned HT. I, and a lot of other LL eventers that I know, do not give a rats a$$ about which BNR is winning which international horse TRIAL on a given weekend.


:yes:

[JER]

Well done, flyingchange!

:yes:

[Hilary]

This may be very unpopular, but it all comes down to making choices. Do I use my time to compete? Or to volunteer? Do I use my vacation days to spend time with family? Or go to a convention.

Do I donate money, or do I spend it on something else (horsey or otherwise). I don't usually go to the convention for all the reasons others have said, but this year I AM making a point to go, because of Lucinda and because of all the safety issues.

Sometimes I do think "OK, they are calling for us to "do" something and be involved - what can I do?" I would like to know.

I love this sport and I give money, I compete and I sometimes volunteer. Not as much as I could. Although me fence judging another half day doesn't impact the bigger issue of safety.

[mbarrett]

It seems to me the USEA wants our money, but doesn't want our imput. No thanks. The dues I pay is fine.

As for volunteering, I've done it MANY times! I've jump judged in the rain, the cold, in the scortching sun, in the heat and humidity, in the woods swatting bugs, lets see, what did I miss.

I don't mind volunteering, but I kind of get tired of it. Burnout? It seems like the same people do the volunteering, but some folks never do. Maybe in other areas of the country, everyone takes their turn, but not where I've been.

I would LOVE to see a BNR sitting in the sun, rain, bugs, cold, etc. for 10 hours with maybe one potty/lunch break! Maybe they would appreciate us a little bit more. And I don't mean "Oh, I did it once, ten years ago." I mean a couple of time a year.

[Sudi's Girl]

Finally - the relentless showcasing of ULRs in the heights of glory after winning this CIC*** or that CIC** ... on the USEA website. Excuse me, but USEA is about national HTs. USEA governs HTs at T and below. Please, FOR ONCE, show someone winning the Novice level HT at a local USEA-sanctioned HT. I, and a lot of other LL eventers that I know, do not give a rats a$$ about which BNR is winning which international horse TRIAL on a given weekend.

Agreed! I think the majority of us enjoy the articles that seem to be akin to OUR reality. We like to cheer each other on too - We get tired of only hearing about *place any BNR here* winning.

Not that I don't enjoy reading about these ever and keeping up with what's going on internationally. I just think it'd be refreshing to have more LL riders showcased every now and then. Gives us something to reach for.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Agreed! I think the majority of us enjoy the articles that seem to be akin to OUR reality. We like to cheer each other on too - We get tired of only hearing about *place any BNR here* winning.

Not that I don't enjoy reading about these ever and keeping up with what's going on internationally. I just think it'd be refreshing to have more LL riders showcased every now and then. Gives us something to reach for.


umm....I've read pleanty of articles/blogs on the USEA event site about LL riders and horses. First events etc. Hell, I wrote one about my young horse's first lesson (with Jimmy Wofford) (http://useventing.com/blog/?p=152). There have also been tons of stories on young rider etc. in the Eventing mag. And often, a thread gets started here critizing that article (I can pull up a few of them).

It is pretty darn easy to get a blog posted....and I'm SURE Emily would love it if you wrote one and sent it in. They are always looking for fun and interesting stories. There was a great story the other week about a Hurrican Katrina rescue horse.

[Sudi's Girl]

Ok I digress...I did not mean to imply that there are NEVER any good LL articles. There are a handful - and I usually always enjoy them.

But you also make a good point - we have to submit our LL stories to get them published, so perhaps that's an area we should contribute to more...

[LisaB]

Yeah, he's giving a rah rah speech to us. So we don't forget rider responsibility and USEA member responsibility. I applaud him for that.
BUT I'm having super big issues with not implementing some rules that they propose. I can understand the 1 fall rule thing for now. Still gets my goat but I understand it.
BUT I'm still stewing over the fact that a rider went intermediate at Fair Hill and had done 1 prelim once in 2005 and then a few intermediates prior to that. Bad rider to begin with, super duper talented horse though, and that's what gets them through. Then goes on to Loudon. I realize the rules in place have no limits but we could have at least implemented that this summer. Like completed 3 prelim within the past year or something! Jeez! And this rider is just damned lucky. To give you an idea on the rider, they put the horse in the trailer without a truck attached and left the horse in the trailer as they drove over to walk x-c. If that gives you any idea. By the time I saw this and untacked, person was hooked back up and leaving. This was in front of the secretary's stand too. Now tell me if this isn't blatant stupidity.
So, no, I'm still not 100% on board with our USEA. I want to actually see the qualifications in place and working. I want to see the watch list in place and working.
And I did email him with my expertise. Need a database to hold all the data? I'm your guy! Need help in figuring out watch lists? I'm your guy.