USEA President Kevin Baumgardner Coming to the Area II Annual Meeting!!

[colliemom]

USEA President Kevin Baumgardner will be attending the Area II Annual Meeting, Scheduled for November 22nd in Kennett Square, PA.

We do not yet have a firm program from Kevin, but one of the things we have suggested he speak to is a follow up to the Safety Summit. What has gone on since the Safetey Summit in May of this year? Six-plus months have passed. We've seen some things coming down the pike, but other things seem to be slow is changing.

PLEASE plan to come to the meeting to ask your questions, and hear what Kevin has to say!!!

We also have Gretchen Butts talking about her experiences at the Olympics in Hong Kong, and Kelley Williams talking about bringing along young OTTB's to become eventers.

Please bear with us as the schedule has been somewhat fluid this year, pending Kevin's ability to attend. Details about how to register for the Area II Annual Meeting can be found on the website: http://www.usea2.net/misc/area_annual_meeting.html

Changes may be made to the schedule, based on this announcement. Please check back to this thread for any updates to the schedule.

Area II is the biggest, most populous Area in the USEA. Let' have a great turnout to show our President that we are passionate about this sport!!!

[Carol Ames]

is there anyone going who, could give me a ride?
please?

[Carol Ames]

never mind, thanks anyway, I don't:no: have the money:(:sadsmile: My insurance ran :(:mad: out long ago and the bills are piling up:eek: everything is now 'out of pocket:sadsmile::("

[colliemom]

The Committee for the Area II Annual Meeting is delighted to announce that Mr. Kevin Baumgardner, President of the United States Eventing Association, will be speaking at our meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square, PA on Saturday, November 22nd, 2008.

Mr. Baumgardner has graciously agreed to meet with us and talk about what he sees as the key issues facing Eventing in the coming years. After his opening remarks, we will open the session to allow you to pose your own questions to Mr. Baumgardner and to share your opinions about what is important to our sport. Prepare your questions and comments and come to Kennett Square next Saturday!

Please get you reservations in as soon as possible. Registrations received after Monday cannot be guaranteed inclusion in the meals provided.


(For registration form and contact info, visit the Area II Website at http://www.usea2.net/index.html)

Revised Schedule:
Room 1
7:30 AM to 8:00 AM - Continental Breakfast

8:00 AM to 10:00 AM - Area II Council Meeting

10:15 AM Coffee Break

10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
Room 1
Organizers Meeting

Room 2
Guest Speaker: Kelly Williams
"Bringing Along Young Horses"


12:00 Noon Buffet Lunch
Guest Speaker: Gretchen Butts
"My Hong Kong Experience"

1:15 PM to 3:00 PM
Room 1
Adult Rider Forum
Leader: Cindy Deporter

Room 2
Young Rider Forum
Leaders: Audrey Wiggins / Gwen Dean


2:45 PM Coffee Break

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Special Guest Speaker: Kevin Baumgardner, President USEA
"Key issues facing Eventing in the future"

Mr. Baumgardner will present his view of the key issues facing our sport in the future.

After his opening comments, the remainder of the time will be an open discussion/question and answer period. Bring your concerns and questions and be prepared to make your feelings known!

6:00 PM Cocktails and Conversation

6:30 PM Dinner and Awards Presentation
The Silent Auction for Event Entries

[drjuliea]

I was really looking forward to going this year, but since my "unplanned dismount" and subsequent surgery, looks like I'm not going to be up to it and am bummed!!! Everyone, if you can go, please go! I sounds like a great informative time and is relatively easy and quick to get to! And Area II rocks!

[colliemom]

I was really looking forward to going this year, but since my "unplanned dismount" and subsequent surgery, looks like I'm not going to be up to it and am bummed!!! Everyone, if you can go, please go! I sounds like a great informative time and is relatively easy and quick to get to! And Area II rocks!

drjuliea, hope you are getting along okay post surgery! That stinks that you can't make it -- we were looking forward to seeing you! Take care of yourself and you'll be back on your feet sooner than you think :winkgrin:

So..... nobody else is interested in coming to hear Kevin and ask him questions directly about the direction of the sport??? :confused:

If anyone can't make it and wants to send me your question, I'd be happy to ask, and then post the response here (keep it clean and polite, please!)

[pdiddy]

So..... nobody else is interested in coming to hear Kevin and ask him questions directly about the direction of the sport???

Would rather donate the money to a T3D fund.

[gchildean]

I think this is a great opportunity especially for those who aren't able to make it to the meeting in New Orleans. Who better to direct your questions and concerns than the pres himself.

[pdiddy]

I could also call or email him and get the same political-speak jargon and then donate the $200 or so that this trip would cost to a needy cause, like a T3D. Just sayin'.

I mean, if somebody like William Fox-Pitt were going to be there, then sure, I'd be a little more enticed. But a talking head? Really doesn't do it for me.

[Firefox]

Well, I am going to enjoy it! Sorry that you feel that getting the chance to talk to the pres of our organization is like talking to a political head, oh well your lost , but please go ahead and donate to the T3D, it is a great function!! I was down in Fl over the weekend and watched the T3d down there what fun!!

[retreadeventer]

Lecture here.
I just got back from the NAILE - where I attended the American Angus Association annual meetings with my mother. This is a major international breed organization of some standing in the agricultural world.
The forums were full. The rooms were packed. The people were there to study and listen and hear from their leaders about the issues that affected THEIR LIVLIHOOD - their cattle, their ranches, their children's heritages. Boy, they were serious and the talk reflected it.
But there were parties too and lots of fun, as well. It's the time of year you take to get off the ranch and in with friends and people who do and love the same thing you do and love, and that in itself is a wonderful thing. You take away the thoughts and the fun and it lasts a whole year.

While eventing is not a livelihood for many of us on this board who POST, many who read it ARE involved in making a living in the sport. To have an unfettered, congenial, and welcoming atmosphere in which to speak directly to the leader of our organization is AN OPPORTUNITY NOT TO BE MISSED, if you are at all interested in eventing.

This is my take on it: If you have a comment SHOW UP and make it. You will be welcomed, and let's talk eventing and horses and have fun doing it, while we listen and talk seriously about the sport. Meetings cost money to put on and the organizers go to great lengths to make sure everyone has a good time and enjoys themselves, learns something, maybe even wins something, too so please don't begrudge the time or cost. If you have a business or farm it's even tax deductible.

[colliemom]

retread, thanks for your comments and comparison to other similar "meetings" being better attended. It's nice to know that other organizations get good turnout for their hard work at putting meetings together. Perhaps, because it IS people's livelihoods in question, that is why they turn out in droves and speak seriously about the issues at hand.

If this sport is just a hobby to people, then I can see why people don't want to take the time or money to attend the meetings at which the decisions that mold the sport are made. If people don't like the direction that it's headed, and don't believe anything that the people in charge are saying since they're just talking heads anyway, then I can totally understand them not bothering to go face to face with one of those people and express their differing or disappointed opinions. It's sad to me that it has come down to that.

I am simply amazed that having the USEA President come to the Area II Annual Meeting and open himself up to the members for questions and information has not been met with more interest, in the Area with the highest number of members. And I really hope he doesn't regret coming due to the lack of interest. :no:

[canterlope]

I mean, if somebody like William Fox-Pitt were going to be there, then sure, I'd be a little more enticed. But a talking head? Really doesn't do it for me.Hummm... When I first read this, I promised myself I wouldn't post a response. But, the unfairness of this attitude pushed me over the edge.

When all h@ll was breaking loose this spring with the horse and rider deaths, people were screaming for the leaders to listen to what they had to say and take action. Well, Kevin was one of the leaders that took action. He was instrumental in bringing the USEA and USEF together to go forward in a united manner. He pushed for more action amongst his peers. He asked for input from the members and he responded to this input. He has continued on in this manner to this day. His dedication to the sport of Eventing is truly amazing and his plans for the sport are equally so. In just the few short months he has held the top position within the USEA, he has proven himself to be one of the best Presidents the Association has ever had. And he is an upper level adult amateur rider when he isn't too busy being a top notch lawyer.

And you think he is just talking head that doesn't do it for you!?!

I sure hope that this is not the prevailing attitude of the members of the USEA. If so, we're doomed.

[LisaB]

That's just sad pdiddy that you as probably others feel. There's nothing like putting your money where your internet mouth is. We are all kvetching on the internet and yet when it comes time to actually meet and hash it out, there are mindsets like yours. Sorry, don't mean to be punchy to you and I'm glad that you posted your feelings because I think it's like quite a few others and I'm using you.
Look at work, don't you get tons more accomplished when you have a face to face meeting? Design by internet/email doesn't work. I would love to go but work is calling me. Speaking of which. We are having user meetings all this week. Why? Because we get a lot more done by doing this. And there are folks coming in from all over. And it's expensive but the cost is definitely justified.
So, if you're in the area or have the time/money, please please please go to the meeting. It's not just a bunch of fun and games, it's actually a working session and a lot can get done.

[bambam]

colliemom- I am not sure why you think there is no interest in hearing Kevin B speak? If it is because there have been few postings on this thread then I just have to say that (1) I, for one, do not comment on everything on this board that interests me and an announcement that he is coming is not one that to me requires or even really invites a post even if I think it will potentially be a meaningful opportunity to speak with him, (2) even if I did, this is only a small microcosm of the eventing community and (3) I am just not sure I can make it regardless of who was speaking. I would not gauge interest in his appearance based on the number of posts on this thread.
And by the way, I did put my money where my mouth was in June when I forked over the money to fly to Lexington and stay in a hotel for the safety summit and I have also emailed Kevin B about safety issues and so this response is not simply from somebody who either does not care or only wants to kvetch without actually speaking up.

[colliemom]

I think that because generally the COTH Community is not shy about sharing comments on subjects or current events that interest them. For this thread to get no comments without prompting from a few people who are already coming (and then have that comment be negative) just makes me wonder, that's all.