Email from Equine Canada - anyone else scratching their heads...?

[Ibex]

It seems to announce changes that aren't really changes, and then blast anyone who doesn't want to play in their system??? Or have I completely missed something and just happen to be in a province without changes??


Dear colleagues,

I hope this note finds you well, and enjoying the approach of autumn. This edition of the Equine Canada e-news is intended to let you know about our national reform and modernisation agenda, why it will lower total costs and improve service to you, and how it will enforce higher standards of accountability in the governance of Canada's equine sector.

This is perhaps the most significant moment in our evolution as Canada's national governing body for equestrianism and horsemanship, and represents a long-awaited leap forward in our determination to forge a Canadian equine system worthy of our country's name.

What will change in 2010?

The heart of the national reform agenda is a new alliance between Equine Canada (EC) as the national equestrian federation, and each of the ten provincial equestrian associations. In a country of our scale and diversity, the nature of this partnership will naturally vary from province to province.

· Any provincial association that wishes to act as the agent for Equine Canada's national services - e.g., the sale of EC national credentials, such as EC Sport Licences, EC Horse Passports and Licences; the management of the EC national competition system; the administration of the EC coaching and learn-to-ride programs; the oversight of the EC Equine Medication (anti-doping) procedures - will only be permitted to do so if it signs a service agreement, open to the full glare of public and member scrutiny. The service agreement will require both Equine Canada and the provincial association to meet national standards of service, of financial transparency, and of accountability to Canadians. More importantly still, it will represent a binding covenant with Canadians to uphold the integrity of the national equine system.

· For 2010, the provincial associations for British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick - which together represent the majority of our nation-wide membership - have chosen to join Equine Canada in a new Canadian membership model. A resident of one of these provinces will continue to receive membership in Equine Canada by joining his or her provincial association for a single fee, and will now enjoy mutually guaranteed levels of service and all the benefits of both organisations.

· For 2010, the remaining provincial associations have chosen to remain outside of the new Canadian membership model. Residents of those provinces who wish to join Equine Canada can do so by joining our national association directly; at $25 per person, and coming with Canada's best rider liability insurance, this will be the most economical equestrian membership in the country. These provincial associations will not be permitted to compel Equine Canada's members to purchase a separate membership in their associations or to extract unnecessary levies from them, as is currently the case.

· In provinces that are part of the new Canadian membership model and that sign a service agreement, the provincial association will administer many of Equine Canada's national services on our behalf. In the remaining provinces, Equine Canada will administer our services directly. In all cases, Equine Canada will guarantee that our members will receive services on time, on budget, and meeting national standards.

Why is this controversial?

Sadly, but perhaps predictably, there has been a great deal of misinformation spread abroad by opponents of reform. Dramatic change can be unsettling, and some of our fellow organisations have found the requirements for higher standards and public accountability difficult to accept. Reform means that all organisations involved in Canada's equine sector - local, provincial, regional, and national - must put aside narrow self-interest to serve the greater good of our country, and to remember that we exist to serve our members, and not the other way around.

· Currently, provincial associations that administer Equine Canada's services on our behalf do so without signing a service agreement, and have therefore been able to act without meeting national standards or reporting to the Canadian membership. There are hundreds of thousands of dollars of our members' fees unaccounted for in the provincially-administered Equine Medication program alone, and the reform process will require an immediate accounting to Canadians.

· Canadians who wish to join our country's national equestrian federation are currently barred from joining Equine Canada's national association directly, and are instead forced to subscribe to a provincial association or other third-party, paying those associations fees that can escalate without limit. No part of those forced membership fees support the national system. Equine Canada is forced to give away its membership, and the provincial associations are able to keep our members captive, not permitting Equine Canada to know even the identity of our own members. The new Canadian membership will change this, and create a direct relationship of accountability between Canadians and the Canadian federation.

What happens now?

The reform process has been nearly a decade of national-provincial negotiations in the making, but we are at long last moving from the realm of words to that of deeds.

· Equine Canada will shortly send out our renewal forms for 2010 EC Sport Licences and 2010 EC Horse Passports and Licences. Residents of BC, MB, ON, and NB will receive renewal forms that are little changed from previous years. These Equine Canada members will continue to obtain their national membership through their provincial associations. For the second year running, Equine Canada has held the line on the costs of EC credentials, and there will again be no increases in these fees.

· Equine Canada licence holders living in AB, SK, QC, NS, PE, and NL will receive forms that will enable them to join Equine Canada's national association directly as part of the 2010 licence renewal process, without being compelled to pay an additional provincial subscription - a new and substantial economy for those members. In addition, Canadians living in these provinces who do not wish to hold EC licences but do wish to acquire rider liability insurance will, for the first time, have a choice of providers: Equine Canada's new insurance package or the provincial association's existing package.

· Equine Canada licensed officials have been receiving direct correspondence on the landscape of the competition system for 2010 and beyond. In the face of the disinformation our officials have been receiving from some associations, it is important for us to reassure them that as the national federation, Equine Canada is the sole body responsible for accrediting all EC officials, and Equine Canada is therefore the sole authoritative source of information on rules and procedures for the officials programs. Our officials will have an undiminished ability to officiate at EC sanctioned events in every province. EC officials should be cautious about advice from non-EC associations on their professional responsibilities and obligations, as only EC sets and enforces their rules and code of conduct.

· EC sanctioned equestrian competitions will shortly receive information on 2010 accreditation, and the significant new benefits available to them from next year onwards. Regrettably, some associations opposed to reform have expressed an intention to undermine the national Canadian equestrian competition architecture, by persuading competition organisers to leave the national accreditation system. We have faith in the judgement of competition organisers to recognise that the best interests of their competitors and their competitions lies in standing together as part of a pan-Canadian system.

The future of the Canadian equestrianism

This is both a tremendously exciting and a difficult juncture in the affairs of Canadian equestrianism.

Equine Canada has always drawn its identity from the very genius of our country. Canada is a great nation because, in all our diversity and fractious differences, Canadians from coast to coast to coast can achieve infinitely more when we stand together, than we ever could if we stood apart. Similarly, the cause of Canadian equestrianism is best served when all parts of the national equine movement find the courage and resolve to forge ahead as one, rather than dissipate our strengths by struggling on separately.

In this context, it has always been Equine Canada's hope that reform, renewal, and modernisation would be possible through a single unanimous and simultaneous collaboration with all the provincial associations and all our other parts. However, we would do our members, our sector, and our country a terrible disservice if we were to allow the ideal to become the enemy of the possible, and through endless delay, permit Canadian equestrianism to stagnate and decay.

We remain committed to working with each of the provincial associations in our shared mission. Provincial associations who are not part of the new Canadian membership and who do not sign a service agreement will nevertheless remain corporate members of Equine Canada. We hope that ultimately all provinces will join us in the modernisation of the Canadian federation, and we are grateful to those provinces who have already taken this step.

However, no one should be in any doubt: Equine Canada was created to answer a higher calling and a broader mandate than any of our constituent parts, and as the Canadian federation, we are unashamed and unhesitant in exercising national leadership for our sector. We are committed to taking the difficult decisions necessary to turn our ideals into reality, in the knowledge that if we do not move forward and move on to serve the interests of all Canadian equestrians, there is no one else in Canada who can or will.
If you have any questions or concerns, I invite you to contact the Equine Canada office or to visit our web site, at www.equinecanada.ca (http://www.equinecanada.ca). On behalf of the Canadian equine community, I thank you for your patience during this time of transition, and look forward to serving you through our modernised and reformed federation.

With best wishes,
Akaash Maharaj
CEO, Equine Canada

[Bronte]

There has been on ongoing turf war between the Provinces and EC since the evolution of EC from the CEF.

The big issues are; when someone joins their PSO they automatically become members of EC. However, the Provinces refused to send membership info to EC, (or membership dues),so EC actually did not know who it's members were... And therefore, could not contact (market) to them!

Some Provinces were not remitting drug fees, at all...

Some Provinces licensed their own officials.

Etc, etc, so the NSO wants to standardize and some Provinces say "No way, we don't need you..." "Our members get nothing from you..." "Why should we send you money..." "We can license our own officials, coaches, shows, etc etc"

Sound familiar, it's the Canadian way, don't you know!:eek:

[PaulaM]

at least your e-mail came in English. Mine came in French and only French.

[Rival]

What were they thinking? Quite frankly I find the whole tone of it offensive. I didn't have an opinion on the matter before that e mail but it is making me think that I should.

[PaulaM]

Maybe we have to approach the whole Fairness in Sport within Canada thing with them.

I took a look at the fees for next year and my EC Gold membership for 2010 is going to cost me $ 170.00

Sports Licence Fee (Gold) $ 100.00
Equine Canada Membership and liability insurance $ 25.00
(incl in provincial memberships in BC, ON, MB and NB)
Amateur Status $ 10.00
Horse Licence Fee $ 10.00
Dressage Canada Affiliation $ 25.00

Wow, add on top of this my AEF Membership, which although EC says isn't tied into showing, the AEF insist does, of $ 35.00

Plus add on top of that if I re-join the local dressage association another $ 30.00

I know and realize that having and showing horses is an expensive venture, however, in this economy, how can it be justified to add more and more fees upon people???

[TropicalStorm]

It's totally ridiculous now.
Paual, I only got the email in French too this time :cool: Fortunately I speak it, but still! :P

[Mozart]

at least your e-mail came in English. Mine came in French and only French.

You might get the English one later. I got the French one first and then the English one a bit later.

Well, it wouldn't be Canada if there was no constitutional crisis, would it?

My province signed the agreement so I am not paying both federal and provincial fees....I have to admit...I don't quite get the opposition from the provinces that elected not to sign the agreement. It strikes me that by chosing not to sign you are complicatings things for your competitive members...but perhaps I am missing something.....

[Equibrit]

All the pissed off talk is usually to do with $$$$$ !

[PaulaM]

I see our Provincial Organizations point, I had a 20 minute conversation with them this morning.

What EC wanted from each Province was for EVERY member to pay a fee to EC, even for those who don't compete on a National level, but at the "grassroots" level or are a family member. EC also wanted e-mail addresses of all members which is against Alberta Privacy laws, etc.

I did confirm with AEF that for those who are only going to be showing at National level shows (EC sanctioned) that membership isn't required, however, there are a few shows in Alberta that are still going to require AEF membership.

There is also talk of establishing a Provincial Level of showing.

If you ask me, I personally believe that both the EC and Provincial organizations are putting the members in between rather than effectively communicating with each other.

I have worked my butt of to get back in the show ring, I doubt I will ever show at the "Elite" level, but with all the implementation of all these additional fees over the past few years, it is making our sport even more elite than it previously was.

[Polydor]

Haven't received the email but not expecting to since i don't think EC has my email but thats beyond the point.

So the provinces who did sign up with EC, they pay $25 directly to EC and automatically get all the benefits from the provincial association as well?

Then only if your showing at a national level do you have to buy the sport liscense and all that jazz?

Definitly sounds like the associations (like AEF) are making it harder for their members.

Me thinks a phone call to my friend in AEF office may be in order....

P.

[R Holyoak]

I have talked quite a bit with AEF and EC about this and how it helps me as a grassroots equestrian who will never compete. Why am I sending EC money?
AEF gives me insurance not EC. Why should AEF send EC $130,000 what comes back to Alberta. Nothing for the 10000 recreational members.

Try calling EC I spent 4 hrs trying to get through. Twice I was sent to nonexistent numbers 3 times to people who were away that day.

AEF and the 5 other provinces who are leaving EC are designing show circuits and rules so people can play without feeding Ottawa.

On other little thing. I looked up the EC CEO's bio last night. Almost no horse experience. He rode for the army for 3 years. But he is a high ranking Liberal politician.
Maybe that is how he got the job.

The 6 provinces who have left are making things better for their members has a whole not for the few at high levels who already have the resources.

[Ibex]

What kills me is that we USED to have a provincial circuit... that became the EC Bronze/Silver levels

[Nojacketrequired]

The reform process has been nearly a decade of national-provincial negotiations in the making, but we are at long last moving from the realm of words to that of deeds.

I'll believe that when I see it. HOW long have we been being told that new passports are imminent? And how many thousands of dollars do you suppose the org. has lost out on during the last what? 5 years? through popele NOT getting passports because they were going to change ANY MINUTE NOW? And that's just one example.

More importantly still, it will represent a binding covenant with Canadians to uphold the integrity of the national equine system. Whatever THAT is...

These provincial associations will not be permitted to compel Equine Canada's members to purchase a separate membership in their associations or to extract unnecessary levies from them, as is currently the case.

SO, EC can extract them instead? Unnecessary levies? Sort of like the EC Drug Testing Fee for Bronze who have no drug testing language in their level? Or maybe the Rider's Levy? Or, how about the fact that both owner AND rider have to have all memberships, even if the owner never has any intention of putting a hand on the horse? THOSE unnecessary fees? I was an Exec for years of our local club and never saw another club tell anyone they HAD to have a local membership before they could get an EC membership? Maybe I'm misunderstanding...

In all cases, Equine Canada will guarantee that our members will receive services on time, on budget, and meeting national standards.

And these standards are where, exactly? And guaranteed? Do we get our membership money back, if I have to wait over 30 minutes on hold, or what?

...and to remember that we exist to serve our members, and not the other way around.

WHoa! To remember? You mean they knew that BEFORE??? Could have fooled me....

and Equine Canada is therefore the sole authoritative source of information on rules and procedures for the officials programs. Our officials will have an undiminished ability to officiate at EC sanctioned events ...EC officials should be cautious about advice from non-EC associations on their professional responsibilities and obligations, as only EC sets and enforces their rules and code of conduct...

(And if you judge a non-sanctioned show you will be black-balled...Oops...Did I say that out LOUD?)

DO I sound bitter? After years of volunteering, and trying to make sense of the senseless, pointless and labyrinthine rules and politics of the Canadian "system", I've given up. I'll shut up, pay whatever fees they tell me and do my thing. And, that's exactly what they want.

NJR

[Ibex]

It gets better... I just called our Provincial organization. Apparently they've been fielding "WTF" calls all morning (shocker!)... and they have NOT signed anything from EC. They're still in negotiations!

Until I see something official from the province I'm sitting tight...

[cxt]

SHF had a preemptive response to this reform a while ago, but I can't seem to find it now.

The main issue IIRC was that EC wanted SHF to give them money for every PSO member. In Saskatchewan a good number of the members are backyard type horse people who do not compete and will get no direct benefit from EC. Many are SHF members solely for the insurance.

As no EC member benefits would change, everyone has to pay more, and those who compete will still need to buy a sport horse license, so everyone is paying more to play the same game, just because EC said so.

I can certainly understand that position.

[Carrera]

I got this email about 8 times today, in both french and english.

I'm just tired of the crap from all of them... they get enough of my money!

[Foxtrot's]

Yup, I got it both in English and French, too....makes me feel sooo speshul, but I think it eventually means we will be paying more than we do now. If you don't show much it makes each show very expensive. I see it benefitting the upper level show people the most.

[CatOnLap]

Ibex, thanks for clarifying that BC has yet to sign the agreement.

The tone of the email is horrendous. The ceo comes across as autocratic, pompous and elitist.

These are exactly the issues we protested 10 years ago when the CEF, in becoming the EC, went around the country gathering grassroots opinion, only to ignore the overwhelming negative feedback they were getting from the majority of provincial assoc members.

They forced Dressage Canada on anyone who wanted to compete in dressage, and pretty much castrated CADORA, which was and should have remained the national body for dressage. However, CADORA , although started by olympic athletes, was still very concerned about the grassroots members. All I have seen from Dressage Canada is a fascination with funding elite athletes and their programs. The funding and education for amateurs and out of the way places like where I live is almost non existent. In a time when interest in dressage across the continent is at an all time high, we have seen the number of good nationally recognized shows in our area dwindle from about 12 a year before the implementation of EC and DC, to 4. I can only see this as a direct effect of the new EC. Every show organizer says the same thing- its too expensive to run a nationally recognized shows due to all the extra fees imposed on the competitors and show officials. We have a lot of nice, non recognized barn shows that we have a lot of fun at, and many of us join no national organizations at all. $170 a year just for permission to enter a show? outrageous.

[Leena]

Well I got mine english ! Hahaha ! This is too much of sarcasm.

Thanks for this thread because I was really wondering myself about what is going on..They also send me my license renewal and I though this was pretty early in the season.

[Vesper Sparrow]

For those who read French (and apologies to those who don't) I received the following email from the FEQ, the Quebec provincial organization, today. The plot thickens...

Tous les membres d’une fédération provinciale sont automatiquement membres de Canada Hippique


Au cours de l’été, nous vous informions des intentions de réforme de la fédération nationale, Canada Hippique, auxquelles cinq fédérations provinciales s’opposaient. Depuis, une 6e fédération, soit celle de la Nouvelle-Écosse, a clairement indiqué son intention de ne pas approuver ces réformes.

Entre temps, Canada Hippique a émis divers communiqués dont vous avez eu certainement connaissance. Nous déplorons la confusion engendrée par ces récentes communications et nous jugeons important de vous informer adéquatement sur les sujets suivants :

Cotisation de membre

Selon les règlements généraux de Canada Hippique, tout membre d’une fédération provinciale est automatiquement membre de Canada Hippique. C’est la raison pour laquelle le logo de Canada Hippique apparaît sur votre carte de membre. Aucun amendement n’ayant été apporté sur ce point, la clause reste actuelle. Les avis légaux obtenus sur ce sujet sont d’ailleurs sans équivoque.


Tout membre de la Fédération équestre du Québec bénéficie automatiquement d’une couverture en assurance accident et responsabilité civile. Cette protection est identique à celle offerte par Canada Hippique.


Selon les règlements généraux de Canada Hippique, il existe une seule catégorie de membre d’association provinciale. La Fédération équestre du Québec, tout comme les autres fédérations sont membres en règle de Canada Hippique et ont les mêmes droits.

Services exclusifs à Canada Hippique

Des services tels que les licences sportives, le passeport cheval, sont des services vendus exclusivement par Canada Hippique et ne correspondent pas à une cotisation de membre. La cotisation de membre à Canada Hippique est intégrée gratuitement dans la cotisation provinciale (FEQ).

Contribution annuelle des fédérations provinciales

Depuis plusieurs années, toutes les fédérations provinciales contribuent financièrement au fonctionnement de Canada Hippique en versant un montant qui est un pourcentage calculé en fonction du nombre de membres.


Nous vous rappelons que les six fédérations provinciales ont décidé de ne pas appuyer les projets de réforme de Canada Hippique pour les raisons suivantes :

Nous sommes contre l’imposition d’une cotisation supplémentaire de 10 $ (5 $ en 2010 et 10 $ à compter de 2011) pour TOUS les membres de TOUTES les fédérations provinciales. (72 000 membres à travers le Canada).
Cela signifie que tous les membres (supporteurs, bénévoles, propriétaires, cavaliers de loisir, cavalier de compétitions, randonneurs, en équitation classique, western, attelage, etc.), seraient assujettis à cette nouvelle imposition. Rappelons que 75 % des membres de la Fédération équestre du Québec n’utilisent pas les services de Canada Hippique car ils ne participent aux activités régies par elle.


Nous sommes en désaccord pour céder les coordonnées complètes des membres de toutes les fédérations provinciales.

Les représentants des fédérations provinciales souhaitent et tentent de trouver des solutions et des ententes avec la fédération nationale car l’objectif n’est pas de se dissocier de Canada Hippique. C’est en travaillant ensemble que nous réussirons à développer les sports équestres.



Richard Mongeau
Directeur général de la FEQ

[JRG]

I am trying to understand. I am someone that is Canadian in the US that will come home eventually, I think I understand what they are trying to do.

It sounds like they are modeling after the States for the organization.

In the US....USEF (major governing body all eq. sports) USDF (Dressage organization) GMO (regional associations)

In Canada....EC (major gov. body, all eq. sports?) Cadora (Dressage org) and Provincial (like our GMO's).


Remember what you went through for the "Gold/Silver/Bronze" levels of shows...we are implementing that for the next year.

[Leena]

Like others said..it is all about money and money and nothing for the amateur as usual. It is getting really ridiculous !

[CatOnLap]

naw JRG, it used to be CEF= national body, and they interacted quite well with the independant provincial associations, as well as with CADORA.

Now its EC/CH, which is trying to eat all the provincial associations and has sidelined CADORA in favour of its self created elitist branch called "Dressage Canada".

Leena is right. Amateurs got a much better bang for their buck when it was CADORA and the CEF, who at least talked civilly with each other, not all that threatening nonsense in the EC email in the OP.

Here's my really bad translation of the french email:

All the members of a provincial association are automatically members of the EC.

During the summer, we informed you of the the EC's intent to reform , despite the opposition of 5 provincial associations. Since then, a 6th province, Nova Scotia, has also clearly opposed this.

Meanwhile, Equine Canada has issued several press releases you probably know about. We regret the confusion caused by these recent communications and we consider it important to clarify the following topics:

Membership fees: According to EC's rules, a member of a provincial federation is automatically a member of EC. That's why the EC logo appears on your membership card. No changes have been made on this point, the rule is current. The legal advice obtained on this subject is unequivocal.

Any Quebec Prov. Assoc. member automatically is covered by liability insurance that is identical to that offered by EC.

According to the EC's rules, there is only one sort of provincial member. The Quebec Prov. Assoc. remains a member in good standing of the EC, like all other provincial associations, with equal rights.

Exclusive Services to Equine Canada: Services such as sports license, passports, horse services are only sold by the EC and are not membership fees. The membership fee for EC is included free in the provincial contribution (FEQ).

Annual contribution of provincial associations: For several years, all provincial associations contribute financially to the EC by paying a percentage (of the provincial membership fees).

Six provincial federations have decided not to support the EC reforms for the following reasons:

We are against the imposition of an additional contribution of $10 ($5 in 2010 and $10 from 2011) for ALL members of ALL provincial federations. (72 000 members across Canada).
This means that all members (supporters, volunteers, homeowners, recreational riders, equestrian competitions, hiking, horseback riding in classic western, driving, etc..), will be subject to this new fee. Recall that 75% of members of the Equestrian Federation of Quebec do not use the services of the EC as they do not participate in the activities covered by it.

We disagree with giving full details of all members of the provincial associations (to the EC).

Provincial associations want and try to find solutions and agreements with the EC and do not wish to be separate from EC. By working together we will be more succesful in developing horse sport.

The tone of the french message is one of cooperativeness and attempting to work together. The tone of the EC communiqué is one of "Thou shalt do as we say or else". It also comes close to libeling the provincial associations by claiming the provincial associations are planning to sabotage the EC, which as can be seen from the french email, is not truthful.

Horse people are notoriously divisive and it will be hard to reconcile this as long as the EC ceo is so angry at the provincial associations.

[Leena]

Thank you Catonlap for having taking your time to translate..It is a good translation and reflect totally provincial association position in this issue.

I really don't understand what changes EC made in our amateur life except the fact they took away my money since 2 years. In fact, getting my bronze license became a real nightmare the first year.

This summer, I got an email from EC explaining how bad was my provincial association, in a big letter, they went on and on about the lack of will and how they were good at us..They got me very upset and I sent a memo to them saying that they were better to learn to sit down and deal with the situation, that I was fed up of paying governement salary and would like more for my moeny than those disagreement.

I hate when politics try to squeeze ordinary people in a very confusing situation.

[JRG]

Ok...So try and put it really simple, for an outsider.

What would someone like me..wanting to show Fourth level or PSG in any province. What would someone need to have for membership/horse not previously registered?

What do you guys get for your membership? Who do you look to for the best contact for you dressage, the one that gives you your awards and the like?

Nice translation by the way. I tried reading the french one and realized I am beyond "rusty".

[CatOnLap]

Here I am moving way out of my knowledge base as I am not a competing member anymore.

I understand that you will need to;
-be a member of your provincial association and therefore EC- annual fees
-purchase a passport for your horse ( which used to involved getting the vet out to certify that the horse you are passporting is identified correctly and to register the height and markings)- one time purchase
-purchase an amateur card annually
-purchase a sports licence for yourself annually depdning on the competition level you wish to participate in
-purchase a horse licence annually to keep your passport current.

Actually I think "what do you get for your membership" is an excellent question to ask the EC. I pay for my EC membership because it is bundled with my provincial membership and I do not believe it benefits me at all. All the programs I use are provincially based, such as the liability insurance, or the sponsored trail rides, etc. I am pissed off about an extra $10 being added and I think it is correctly called a cash grab by the EC looking to fund the programs for their elite athletes and their top heavy admin costs.

I tried to find a listing for what the administrators of EC are paid, but the information is not easily available. It is a safe bet that the EC CEO, having been a career politician, who was Policy Chair of the national Liberal party for 5 years, is making well over 6 figures in income- more than many of us recreational riders make for sure. It would not surprise me in the least to learn that the figure was closer to 200,000 than 100,000. It would seem that the extra $720,000 that EC hopes to gather in this latest fee increase/cash grab, is going to fund the salaries of the top 4 or 5 executives in the organization.

As for the French- I blame my grade 7 french teacher who was this really cute guy from Martinique, who gave me books like "Papillon" to read in the original french. And my handy dandy french/english dictionary for some of the words I didn't know. I don't speak the language hardly at all, but I can still make sense of most of the written work, and can understand some speakers if the accent isn't too heavy. I can't understand spoken Quebeçois at all, as I was taught a Parisian accent.

[Foxtrot's]

Well, Catonlap you are ahead of my husband. He is French-Canadian and when we went to Paris he was called an "idiot" because of his French! Nobody could understand him. Poor guy.

[Ibex]

Just got another one. Actually it's the header to the newsletter, but still...

Dear Colleagues,

I hope this note finds you well, and enjoying the onset of autumn. Since our last newsletter, Equine Canada (EC) has proceeded with the implementation of the national reform process, and many of our members have received competing versions of events from other equestrian organisations. As Canada's national governing body for horsemanship and equestrianism, EC has faith in our members to sift through the rhetoric from all sides, and come to their own judgement.

It is unfortunate, but perhaps inevitable, that great change - even change for the better - rarely occurs without great tumult. Ultimately, all the organisations involved in the Canadian equine system will rightfully be judged not by their words but by the extent to which they serve the interests of the membership. EC will continue our work of serving Canada's horsepeople throughout this time of trial, and we are grateful for our members' patience as the reform process unfolds.

With best wishes,
Akaash Maharaj
CEO, Equine Canada


Emails like this make me want to take up competitive knitting instead of dressage.

[Foxtrot's]

Oh brother --- I got it too, and in English. Still rather in the dark about the ramifications.

[Blugal]

Glad it's not just me. I am so fed up with EC.

SOOOO fed up.

I got my "please renew your EC sport licence etc." a couple weeks ago - considering I wasn't even a member this year, I really wondered about that.

My Dad went to the local (i.e. backwoods) show committee planning meeting tonight. We hold rodeos and tiny shows with flat and jumping classes mostly at 2'6 and under. With the new structural changes, everyone had to pay $10-20 more for their membership - for what? Our shows always have 4 or 5 sponsored "stakes" classes (English Pleasure, Hack, Open Hunter 2'6 and Open Jumper 2'9 ) - winner gets about $40. If we want to have prize money, now our show becomes a Bronze and everyone has to pay for a Bronze membership, and we have to have an EC licensed course designer (believe me, the size of our rodeo ring only allows *so many* course configurations). WHAT??? We are about ready to start a show circuit whose governing body is "Backwoods Hicks Unite" where we write the rules, hire the show officials, and decide on prize money, and not a penny goes to EC.

I have had nothing but trouble trying to get a response to ANY question from someone in their office - always goes to voicemail, NEVER get a response. Usually takes 3+ tries to get an answer (if at all). Even when there were important/urgent matters for attending FEI competitions. I guess they are all out riding every day?

The two latest letters from the CEO really capped it off - I was ticked off before, but those politic-speak emails really pushed me over the edge.

[JRG]

Blugal, who can they even make you be a bronze show? Can't you just have rodeo/schooling show without being part of EC? What makes them the authority on anything you do? There is no law is there?

Better yet shouldn't they be "courting" those that have shows to want to be part of the EC?

[Blugal]

JRG, I think it comes down to liability coverage.

[Nojacketrequired]

I received another one yesterday...I really like this professional touch....Don't hold back, ....just tell us how you REALLY feel! (Bolding mine...)

As you know, some provinces have decided that they want to save their members from a $5.00 fee and have created a huge battle over such a small amount of money. Despite Equine Canada agreeing to contractual assurances on the use of the funds and the use of membership information, they still resist this program. They are spreading false information and in some cases, spending most of their time trying to figure out how they can stop Equine Canada legally from proceeding with the new membership program -

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE! YOU WILL BE ASSIMLATED.

The other 70,000 or so members enjoy "free" membership in Equine Canada. The problem has been that all of these new members do not pay any type of membership fee to Equine Canada, we do not know their names or how to contact them directly and many of them do not even realize they are a member.

So, if they don't pay a fee, don't get any benefits and don't know they are even members...ARE they "members"? And, do they want to be members? And do they even care? Heck, I'm a real member that paid and I can't think of any benefits except that they let me show...What if all these mysterious non-member/members don't want to show? Exactly what is the benefit to them again? (Oh, ya....you can get cheaper car rentals...)

Seriously, these organizations need to get together and figure this out in a professional manner, not continue to come to the membership (The real membership who already pay, not the ghost membership who don't know they ARE members, but maybe AREN'T members if they didn't pay and have any benefits...If an EC Exec falls in the forest, but nobody hears them.... ) boo hoo-ing their "sides". Figure it out between the organizations who are going to have to continue to work together whether they like it or not, bring it to the membership along with an actual plan that will actually work (Unlike that plan they had years ago where new passports were going to happen ANY MINUTE NOW...),and get on with it. THAT'S what you get paid for.

NJR

PS...when all these non-member-members cough up their $5.00, will all of us REAL-member-members get a discount for all those years we paid real fees?

[CatOnLap]

The last communication from EC is a totalitarian manipulation of reality.

The EC exec is bordering on paranoia because they don't have the actual names of the 75% of provincial members who do not purchase an additional EC service like the bronze competition licence or horse passport. They think the provincial associations are holding back on fees. They are actually denying that the provincial associations ALREADY PAY FEES FOR THESE MEMBERS TO THE EC. This is a direct lie on the aprt of the EC- the email says these members have EC membership "for free". LIE! For years we have paid part of our provincial memebrship to the EC whether they know who we are or not. EC memberhsip, EVEN WHEN IT IS UNWANTED AND UNUSED costs every single provincial member, in that part of their membership money is sent to the EC at no benefit to that member.

They think the 2010 $5 cash grab is just $5.
HOW MUCH MORE CAN THEY LIE?
Its $375,000.
A huge amount and worth the provincial associations to fight about because in 2011, it will be
THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS...
Maybe that amount doesn't look like much to a career politician who probably grosses close to a quarter million, but to the average horse owner, it's a lot.

For all of you, like me, who are no longer competing members in the national program, I urge you to write the provincial organization you belong to and protest.

I personally am going to write and tell them I strongly oppose this additional fee increase by the EC and challenge the provincial association to show me how my contribution, that they make on my behalf, to the EC, actually benefits me in any way and explain why I have to pay it. I will also expressly forbid them to communicate my membership details to the EC.

[Nojacketrequired]

CoL...if I show Silver, don't I NEED an EC membership?

They've got us coming and going.

When I was on the Exec of our club for years, I was told by numerous judges that there was a blacklist, and you were put on it, if you were an EC judge who judged anything but EC events...such as schooling shows, etc. Efectively taking the good judges out of the running for any non-EC events.

Heck, we can hardly FIND a TD for our shows, they have made it so tough to get/keep your license!

NJR

[sunhawk]

I think the insurance for competitions has a lot to do with it, I get so mad at the way the big corporations hold each others hands, to take money away, just write some new laws and take our money, and we bend over and get $$#%$ed.
I didn't keep my email, but when I read all the way through it, at the bottom came up the EC desire for horse id, and that just gives me the willies.:(

[CatOnLap]

When I say "national" comp, I mean anything sponsored by the EC- which is bronze and up. You have to belong to EC or you can enter one show a year by paying extra fees. If you try it more than once, though, they'll make you join.

There is a blacklist for judges. Its not written down anywhere. There is also a blacklist for execs and riders. If I wasn't on it before, this series of posts will surely limit me if I tried to re-join the admin side of things.

But it basically prevents any judge who doesn't toe the line from moving up, and as a rider, you have to know the right people to get beyond a certain level and even be considered for international competition. Which is how many of our riders "qualify" for national teams even when they haven't made the EC standards in the past. And deserving riders who have made the marks, have gotten passed over because they aren't in with the right people. But that's another rant. Doesn't affect the majority of competitors anyway, who will never get past third level.

The only way around this current EC attitude that I can see is to re-invent the wheel. We predicted that, when the EC came into being, that eventually, the provincial associations would have to re-create their own circuits outside the EC and that the EC would "fire" the PA's as they are now threatening to do if the PA's don't accept the EC dictate.

The CEO must be completely ignorant of Canadian history to attempt this in the way he's approaching it. The existing east-west division politically is going to rise up and bite him in his butt if "Ontario" tries to dictate to anything west of Kenora.

Cascadia rising...

[Mallard]

I rec'd yet another email from them this week...
"I am sure most of you have received several messages regarding the changes at Equine Canada and are probably sick of it."

I responded by saying 'YES... I am sick of getting junk from you and please take me off your mailing list'.

My OEF Membership renewal stuff came in the mail this week.
I see those fees have gone up again...

[Nojacketrequired]

At least with OEF, you get the insurance.

I'd say we need a good old fashioned "wake" for organized dressage in Canada, but I'm afraid there wouldn't be any mourners!

NJR

[Romany]

Just got another one. Actually it's the header to the newsletter, but still...



Emails like this make me want to take up competitive knitting instead of dressage.




Google Akeesh - fascinating character - with lots of contact info, should people wish to contact him direct!

[CatOnLap]

So apparently EC is seeking input from competitors. Here is the survey:

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229E6AHWFNW

It takes about 10 minutes to complete. I suggest wherever there is a choice for "cost" to be considered in the survey, you put that as a reason you ahve reduced or are contemplating quitting competition, and in the final comments box, you let EC know exactly what you feel about the current attitude of the emails being sent, the fact that the membership is being put in the middle of the problem, and the current fee increase proposal.

[rugbygirl]

All the programs I use are provincially based, such as the liability insurance, or the sponsored trail rides, etc. I am pissed off about an extra $10 being added and I think it is correctly called a cash grab by the EC looking to fund the programs for their elite athletes and their top heavy admin costs.

Yes, from Alberta, I am the same.

I unsubscribed from their list (which was flooding my email inbox with repeated copies of the same communications for whatever reason) with a comment about unprofessionalism.

The AEF isn't looking much better though, the flavour of their official statement (on the website) seems to indicate that anyone who rides a horse in Alberta is a member of the AEF whether they know it or not...and AEF is desperately trying to figure out how to squeeze annual dues out of the non-competing members.

In actuality, AEF offers valuable insurance coverage that is becoming mandatory at nearly all lesson barns and public equestrian facilities. I'm happy to pay their annual fee for that reason alone! Their newsletter/magazine also covers something besides Olympic riders, Spruce Meadows and Ontario Shows. TRAIL RIDERS (!!) are sometimes featured!

Also, nothing changes for me, after all these stupid emails...I still have to buy at least a Silver competition license (to show in my three Arabian breed shows...in a few silly rail classes that are no one's definition of "Silver") and a mandatory AEF licence to ride in my Trainer's barn (insurance). Still need that Amateur card, and the only real change is that now ALL my horses need passports.

That's the real ridiculousness. My registered AHA Arabian needs an EC passport to compete at AHA shows. His registration IS a passport. What further identification/proof of ownership is REALLY necessary? My Hunter horse, ok. He's a JC horse whose papers didn't come with him, who competes in rated divisions. Passport makes some sense. My "Dressage horse"? Good lord. We will not likely ever move beyond training level, at we stick to local shows and do ONE rated show a year. How does it make any sense that she needs the same documentation as a Grand Prix horse that travels internationally? Seriously?

If you want to know how all of this looks to regular, everyday, backyardish Ammies who are relatively new to the sport...there you have it. Our barn is full of similar sentiment.

[CatOnLap]

Rugby you ask what more will you need? Have you heard of the proposal for a national horse identification number? If the EC lobbyists have their way, you will need to microchip any horse that you own and register it nationally (reminds me of the long gun registry) with the EC even if it is a mutt you rescued from the feedlot, in order to own it.

I too join my provincial association for the liability insurance alone, since I do occassionally use the services of an offsite indoor arena and clincis.

[Hony]

I am fed up with EC. The most recent letter from the President was a joke. EC needs to get it together and sort out it's problem with the provincial associations. Their childish disputes are not the concern of the members and their letters to the membership are totally unprofessional. I have contacted EC with my opinion. To my mind EC is just looking for ways to spend money on my behalf whether they will be a benefit or not.

[Leena]

I wrote to them, I have sent my opinion in my provincial federation..I cannot believe how bad this is going to turn the sport into the poilitic arena.
We were peacefull and quiet before EC smell the 75 000 potential members. Watch out Canadians...we will be eventually taxes on each horse we have; when the Ic number will be in force it will be so easy for them to charge.

[Foxtrot's]

There is very little in it for me, either, since I don't show much and am basically a recreation rider. We need the liability insurance, but it seems to me the add- on fees are to fill up the coffers for the internatioinal competitors.

[rugbygirl]

I agree Foxtrot. EC makes sense for regulated shows. Beings that they hold the rules and judging standards. Paying a fee to show at a rated show using the EC rules and judging standards, thumbs up.

In terms of horse identification? Back away slowly and realize your folly EC. Trying to force owners to register non show horses is ridiculous. Trying to force owners to register local show horses is ridiculous, and IMHO, WAAAAAY outside their jurisdiction.

AEF has my support (provided they change the tone of their website address eventually). AEF has always made a point of supporting recreational programs by providing real benefits to average owners (again, the liability thing...sponsored trail rides...judges/officials for non-rated shows).

Sorry EC. A lot of people in my situation are just going to walk away from showing if you keep pushing. 'Course, when has EC ever given a crap about people in my situation, besides counting the dollars we throw in every year :mad:

[MyReality]

Agreed.

And whoever wants to be regulated, for competitive and standardization purpose, whether you be show organizer or competitor, do so at her heart's content. It is their job, their career.

For the rest of us, we do it for fun. We don't need anyone to keep track of our scores, or sanction or judging. We just want to do the manes, drink our coffee with our friends, and get a ribbon (or not).

Plus like somebody said, EC focus heavily on the internationally competed horse sports... which is appropriate if your mind is on the international sports scene, or if you are already in international sports. People who are working towards a chance to the international scene needs all the support. The rest of us, big N/A, totally not applicable.

[Elatu]

That's the real ridiculousness. My registered AHA Arabian needs an EC passport to compete at AHA shows. His registration IS a passport. What further identification/proof of ownership is REALLY necessary? My Hunter horse, ok. He's a JC horse whose papers didn't come with him, who competes in rated divisions. Passport makes some sense. My "Dressage horse"? Good lord. We will not likely ever move beyond training level, at we stick to local shows and do ONE rated show a year. How does it make any sense that she needs the same documentation as a Grand Prix horse that travels internationally? Seriously?



In Ontario we do NOT need a passport to show in AHA sanctioned competitions and we only require a BRONZE EC membership. That's straight across the board for all Arabian Shows, including our Sport Horse Arabian Shows. If you go to Regionals or Nationals, then you need a SILVER EC membership. So who's BS'ing who?

[Bronte]

I just wanted to clear up a misunderstanding here.

The horse identification program is a Government of Canada initiative, through Min of Agriculture. Equine Canada is obliged to participate in implementing this program.

www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/.../canadian_horse_identification_program.pdf

[CatOnLap]

Bronte- in what way is EC "obliged" to participate? They are not a government organization. I would think it is the EC's job to point out the folly to the government instead of support it. Yet at every step of this process, the EC's breeds and industry division has not protested the measure and gone along complicitly, if not actively helping to implement the program!

They could just as well protest the proposal for the HIN and actually stand up for horse owners in this country instead of, as politicians are wont, support yet another tax grab and control on our private lives.

It is a measure meant to control a very small proportion of liars and thieves in the professional horse industry, yet it will cost and inconvenience every law abiding amateur horse owner in the country.

It is couched under the language of disease control. Yet, there are very few diseases in which horses pose a direct threat to humans, unlike scrapie in sheep or mad cow, which have a direct impact on human lives and therefore merit an identification program. Even West nile is not a primary concern, as the vector is mosquitoes- please microchip all the mozzies who actually spread the disease first!

Our breed associations and sports passports already trace the ownership and movements of many horses anyway- why duplicate that service?

It is clear that the EC is as far removed from the needs of the majority of horse owners as the moon is from Jupiter.

[rugbygirl]

In Ontario we do NOT need a passport to show in AHA sanctioned competitions and we only require a BRONZE EC membership. That's straight across the board for all Arabian Shows, including our Sport Horse Arabian Shows. If you go to Regionals or Nationals, then you need a SILVER EC membership. So who's BS'ing who?

Regionals are silver, sorry, I thought the qualifiers were too, but since you need silver for Regionals, I had to get that one.

ARTICLE G110 PASSPORTS
1. Passports are mandatory for all horses in the Hunter, Equitation and
Jumper Divisions at Silver, Gold and Platinum competitions

It's really the same though. AHA identifies the horses uniquely and AHA shows are sort of contained little boxes. Even for Hunter rail classes, the interpretation is that you needed a passport for Regionals.

If I don't need a passport for my Arabian though, please let me know, and I'll skip him in the entries...saving money is good!

[Bronte]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bronte- in what way is EC "obliged" to participate?

If equestrian sport would like to participate with the rest of recognized sport in Canada, (and Globally), ie that which is funded through Sport Canada, it needs to be compliant. Start, middle, and end../.

We are but one very small and very expensive sport, with much elitist history! Be careful about what you think are your just deserts... We could very easily end up with nothing.. No funding, no Olympic birth, nothing...

[Bronte]

Globe & Mail on Saturday

http://www.theglobeandmail.com:80/news/national/horse-whispering-of-a-different-sort/article1398262/

[Leena]

Thanks for the article Bronte..

In Canada horses are managed by so many different ministers, organisation that you can loose your latin very easily. and every mandate has money attached to them so I understand which this conflict heated up and how we, amateur owners are left in this "tourbillon", almost forced to pay without understanding all the issues.
Just to name a few just in Quebec province; Agriculture Quebec, Comité conjoint des races chevalines, comité des races patrimoniales, Loto-Québec, Fédération Équestre du Québec, Ministère des loisirs et des sports..This is just a few..then the registries of the different breed, the Trails organisation Québec à cheval...Just understanding the mandate of everybody and your year is done ! Sorry for my english friend..some of the organisation has hard to find a translation.

Waht made me really mad at the beginning of this fight is to get contacted privately by EC Chairman mentionning how my provincial association was bad..This is NOT a way in my opinion to manage...

As usual it is all about money, power. I am still very sad and sick that our sport go through all that confusion...

[MyReality]

I still don't see why members of the provincial org has to be automatically become members of EC. They are creating a condition, an artificial one, which makes it unfair to everyone involved, not fair to EC because they don't have access to their members, not fair to the province because they have to share money, not fair to the members because we have to pay more. Why can't they let us choose. With x amount, you can also become a member of EC, with such and such additional benefit. I don't see a need to be a member of EC.

[MyReality]

Plus article for Globe and Mail... says nothing to me. Just PR. Somebody made a phone call or email to the writer... make news. The article talked more about Mr. CEO than the issue in hand. Who cares about his credentials if the current issue is not to be resolved. I already predicted that to a friend when he became CEO. It is not because he is not smart, or he is not capable... it is just that the whole equine industry is hugely based on history, and experience in the industry, and down to earth attitude and down to earth connections.

[CatOnLap]

Read the article and am less than impressed. For one thing, maharaj perpetuates his self created myth that the provinicial associations have contributed no fees to EC. That is just wrong. For years our provincial association has been sending EC a tithe for their members. It might not have been a lot, but for him to say that nothing has been paid is a lie. Its just that EC greedily is now demanding a much larger tithe- in fact it will be about 25% of our membership fee next year.
And for what?

To fund high priced executives like maharaj and his minions and the expensive sports habits of people who already have waaaay more money than most of us. You can't even think of qualifying fo the olympic team without spending, ballpark a quarter mill. This is not like running where all you need is a good pair of shoes and a coach. Poor people do not do this sport and as a lower middle class person, I don't see why my need for liability insurance, available at reasonable rates only through the provincial association, should now only come bundled with some rich person's need for funding to take her horse to a foreign country to train for some games.

For all I care, the olympics can go to h377 in a handbasket- we see nothing but controversy and cheating these days anyway and plenty of training methods which are questionable if not abusive, all in the name of those points!

Perhaps I am the lone voice in the wilderness, but I would think many recreational members resent the cash grab, and do not see any need for these "national" services being foisted upon us.

[Foxtrot's]

Exactly (from where I see things, alone and down here.)

[Fixerupper]

I get it that recreational riders don't want to play the EC money game, however everyone who does show, at any level, benefits to some degree from EC funding...by way of judges, stewards, show organizers etc.
There is a large $$$ input from IOC/COA into horse sport when any team is successful at the top international level. When teams fail to qualify for 'games' that funding drops dead. So while it costs to fund teams there is also a $$$ kickback into the sport.
I also think that it is a bit sad that competition riders at any level don't take pride in our top team successes...such as gold and silver jumper medals at the O's as well as Ashley Holzer's excellent placings at the O's, WC and Masters competitions.

I have not been a big fan of EC/CEF management practices but I think that rather than bailing we should all be working to hold them accountable.
'Busting' them in a WEG year may be effective on one level....but not necessarily the best thing for horse sport in the long run...

[CatOnLap]

Fixer upper, since even Maharaj admits that 75% of the provincial members are recreational riders only and do not show, please explain to my dumb brain how adding a 25% surcharge to all our memberships to fund elite riders with 6 figure horses and execs earning in excess of 6 figures, benefits me or the rest of us in any way? There is certainly no kickback into MY form of the sport from the IOC. Or the EC!

I happily donate to our therapeutic riding association ( but not para olympics) and to our youth groups and our recreational clubs. EC- no thanks. Its been a growing fiefdom ever since it became the EC.

[rugbygirl]

I agree with CatOnLap. The people at top levels of our sport are self-funded with minor help from EC. The "development" programs are a bit of a joke, since you've definitely got to pay to play in those as well. A $1000 scholarship is nice, but a drop in the bucket. EC does not enable the non-independently wealthy to compete, in any way, shape or form. There was an interview with Christilot Boylen a few years ago where she talked about how the issue with Canada on the international equestrian scene was neither money nor horse quality.

Squeezing more fees out of recreational riders who are happily supported by their Provincial organization is a joke. It's a significant cost for us, used to create drops in the giant buckets of the costs for elite riders. EC is not helping the Millars and the Ashley Holzers...they have rich families and corporate sponsors.

Does that make any sense? I hope so, it made sense in my head...

--

It also wouldn't stick in the craw so much if EC even resembled a well-managed organization. They don't! Their English website is almost as full of grammatical and spelling errors as their French one! The "messages from the President" in the monthly publication are completely out of touch...they strike me every month as very reminiscent of royalty addressing the peasants, with winks and nods directed at the elite.

I competed in a rated show this year, and my results are incorrectly entered on the website as a "Temporary" competitor...my HORSE had a temporary passport, but I certainly paid my own full rider fees, competition license and amateur card! These things MATTER if EC wants to represent peon competitors like me.

[Nojacketrequired]

Just to give you an idea of how political (or cowed) the average dressage rider is in Canada, I took a look at a major forum today that is Canadian and I didn't see one whisper about any of this.
THIS thread started in the Fall on a US board, yet I see no Canadian discussion on a Canadian board.

Things that make you go "Hmmm......"

When the EC announced the NEW PASSPORTS how many years ago? The idea caused MUCH trouble for many people, especially the grass roots people like me who were trying to get shows together and had no answers for everyone who was flipping out, and could GET no answers either....And then they never happened....it showed me just what an ill-prepared, badly managed group they are, with little to no regard for the grass roots who pay their salaries.

Personally, I believe I and many an amateur rider would find absolutely no difference in our lives if EC ceased to exist, and we could just run provincially and buy the insurance through the OEF or wherever you're from.

Oh, and Mr. M? I don't appreciate being spoken down to after YEARS of putting on shows by someone who has no idea what us VOLUNTEERS really do. Come on out some hot Aug. day and I'll find you a job.

NJR

[Bronte]

Wow, some really upset people here. Some stuff I don't understand. To the person who said the increase if fees was 25%, do I understand correctly that your Provincial fees are $20?

I have worked with a lot of the folks at EC, and they are fabulous. Do mistakes happen, sure ~ do you ever makes mistakes? They are incredible short staffed and very hard working. Much of what happens to them is externally driven from Sport Canada, and requires compliance in order to safeguard funding. The bi-lingual website, the passports (which was Ag Can).

Most of the work at EC is done through volunteer committees and elected committees. If you want to be elected, mostly you just need to find enough people to nominate you ~ because as usual, few people want to do the work!

You would probably be absolutely globsmacked about how much time, effort and angst volunteers put in, they are incredible dedicated and you would not believe the hours and hours of grueling activity. All incredibly supported by the EC staff.

To those who think our Elite Riders have it on easy-street, think again. EC does fund major events (as best it can, and as others have said, if we are placing well, there is more money from Sport Canada). However, it does not come close to the total figure required, and does not consider all the time away from "work", that the elite riders earn no money.

I think these kinds of discussions are good, and I think getting personally involved in governance is better. And before anyone says, been there done that ~ too easy, time to give it another go!!

[rugbygirl]

I think these kinds of discussions are good, and I think getting personally involved in governance is better. And before anyone says, been there done that ~ too easy, time to give it another go!!

Sorry to sound so argumentative, but it is the same story with our Provincial organizations. Desperate for volunteers and pretty much anyone could get elected. The difference there is that the Provincial organization (mine anyway) makes a very concerted effort to add value for ALL of its members. Yes, right down to us lowly Open show competitors and trail riders.

Same story AGAIN from our local breed organizations. Involved there as well. As a working Adult Amateur, I can only commit to so much governance. Our local groups have enough problems without EC stepping in to muddy the waters FURTHER every year with confusing communication and rule changes. Not to mention the fact that living in the bad old West, working for EC in any capacity means funding my own way to Toronto a few times a year. Sure, it's a pleasant climate, but I really don't want to commit to that.
That's several hundred dollars out of my pocket to "volunteer" for an organization that can't even settle disputes with Provincial clubs professionally.

One of our best local show stewards is EC-certified. She's fabulous. Loves horses, loves the sport, spends more time around in-gates and show rings than most judges...but she isn't an amazing volunteer BECAUSE of EC. Her job would be a lot easier if they'd quit changing the rules/qualifications/politics/fees all the time.

Being irritated with EC doesn't mean that one doesn't appreciate the efforts of the volunteers. Quite the contrary...I wish EC valued their volunteers enough to present a professional image to the public and RECOGNIZE the grassroots efforts of so many of their unsung heroes. You won't find our super ring-steward mentioned in the EC magazine...too busy advertising, interviewing Canada's 8 equestrians on what they are doing RIGHT NOW and publicizing the squabbles with the Provincial clubs. :no:

[Bronte]

Our local groups have enough problems without EC stepping in to muddy the waters FURTHER every year with confusing communication and rule changes.

Not to mention the fact that living in the bad old West, working for EC in any capacity means funding my own way to Toronto a few times a year.

One of our best local show stewards is EC-certified. She's fabulous. Loves horses, loves the sport, spends more time around in-gates and show rings than most judges...but she isn't an amazing volunteer BECAUSE of EC. Her job would be a lot easier if they'd quit changing the rules/qualifications/politics/fees all the time.

Being irritated with EC doesn't mean that one doesn't appreciate the efforts of the volunteers. Quite the contrary...I wish EC valued their volunteers enough to present a professional image to the public and RECOGNIZE the grassroots efforts of so many of their unsung heroes. You won't find our super ring-steward mentioned in the EC magazine...too busy advertising, interviewing Canada's 8 equestrians on what they are doing RIGHT NOW and publicizing the squabbles with the Provincial clubs. :no:

Okay one point at a time:
Confusing rules changes. Every time the Rules are reviewed, the community is asked for suggestions and changes. The Rules Committee then incorporates as best they can the suggestions of the community. (I sat on Rules for several years ~ the changes come from the community, we do not sit around dreaming them up).

Two:
From the bad old West. Only the westerns feel this way, it is a mystery to me where this comes from... (And I lived in Vancouver. There is no requirement to travel anywhere on your own dime to be on a committee. Committees 'meet' by teleconference, generally once per month, more often if necessary. The bulk of the work is conducted to email. BTW EC is in Ottawa.

Three:
Your Steward:
Are you saying she would rather be unpaid and just volunteer. As for rules changes etc, see One above

Four:
Magazine time. Please send a request and background on your unsung hero. How do you think the editor knows about such people unless 'someone' sends it in. Trust me, they are desperate, for copy. No one sends anything in. And you guessed it, 'they' are volunteers...:cry:

[Nojacketrequired]

the passports (which was Ag Can).

But, it was EC who ran around screaming "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" putting enormous pressure on us VOLUNTEERS who were trying to understand the rules and deal with the members who were understandably upset over this huge announcement followed by SILENCE. WE couldn't get answers, and they continued to tell us for another year or two that it was ANY MINUTE NOW.

I wish there were stats to show just how much money that COST EC in passports that weren't purchased because people were afraid they would be useless when the new ones came in. And what is it? 3, 4, years later, we're still waiting.

Most of the work at EC is done through volunteer committees and elected committees. If you want to be elected, mostly you just need to find enough people to nominate you ~ because as usual, few people want to do the work!

And it is getting even fewer because those of us who have DONE the work for years have finally realized it just isn't getting any better. WHY keep banging our heads against the wall when all we get is grief? I for one am sick of trying to explain to members what exactly they GET for their dollar.

You would probably be absolutely globsmacked about how much time, effort and angst volunteers put in, they are incredible dedicated and you would not believe the hours and hours of grueling activity. All incredibly supported by the EC staff.

No, I wouldn't because I ran the West half of the ONT provincials with about 3 people helping. TOTAL. Speaking of gobsmacked, I think you may have been able to apply that to the judges when I ran into the airport to pick them up, covered in dust and dirt from cleaning the rings myself with a broom because there was no one else to do it before the show.

Please, don't assume that those of us with an opinion are sitting around eating bon bons while EC works their fingers to the bone, thank you.

IMO, the past has shown me that EC couldn't run a corner store, much less a national organization, and until I am proven wrong, I will not give them the benefit of the doubt.

NJR

[Bronte]

Please, don't assume that those of us with an opinion are sitting around eating bon bons while EC works their fingers to the bone, thank you.

IMO, the past has shown me that EC couldn't run a corner store, much less a national organization, and until I am proven wrong, I will not give them the benefit of the doubt.
NJR

NJR I've picked up Judges in a far worse states, they are generally quite used to that..... That's just volunteering, and it has absolutely nothing to do with EC.

Who exactly is EC to you? The illusive 'them' ~ we are 'them', we need to take some ownership.

As I said, if you and/or others don't like the current bunch of volunteers, run for office yourself, maybe you will run a better corner store. Well, anyway, about the same number of hours!

[Foxtrot's]

Personally, I have no problem with the volunteers and hard working staff - I have no complaints with my dealings with them, and have met several. But the policy-makers are way above my head.

This year I only signed myself up at the Provinicial level and did not include two daughters who have always been members previously. Perhaps they will lose more members. I believe in the numbers game - more members, better chance of funding, etc. -- but this year they are down two members from our family.
If and when I go to a show then I'll have to pay the membership, but not until then.

[Fixerupper]

Hey..don't get me wrong...I'm no big EC fan (liked it less when it was CEF...no accountability and zero transparency!).

The 'staff' aren't the bad guys either (by and large)...some of them are actually regular people :lol:. The volunteer board and committee people...some stellar, some...well not so much...as you would expect.

The organization itself is stuck in '80's! It needs serious revamping...any business that far behind the times would be so gone by now! It has been an appalling failure at creating any kind of solidarity in the the horse biz and by the tone of most of the posts on this thread it has succeeded only in creating a huge rift between the 'elite' riders and pretty much everyone else!

Are Maharaj and Gallagher the guys to set it right?...not looking good right now.
I still think that the inevitable mutiny would serve the sport better in a 'non team' year (2011). In spite of themselves they have brought us Robert Dover...who is a real asset..and whether it is apparent right now...success at the top does (or should) trickle down.

[rugbygirl]

From the bad old West. Only the westerns feel this way, it is a mystery to me where this comes from... (And I lived in Vancouver.
:lol::lol::lol::lol:

The West (minus the lower mainland) has a very small population and therefore minor voting power and participation in National organizations. It's the way of things, and occasionally people living in the low populated areas get resentful. I was 3/4 joking. 3/4. Just remember that while we get lower participation and (for want of a better term, attention) we each INDIVIDUALLY pay the same fees.

Confusing rules changes. Every time the Rules are reviewed, the community is asked for suggestions and changes. The Rules Committee then incorporates as best they can the suggestions of the community. (I sat on Rules for several years ~ the changes come from the community, we do not sit around dreaming them up).

I realize that there is probably a lot of red tape for rule changes. And there are likely a very vocal minority ("the community") who involve themselves. I also sit on many committees (and task forces, and management groups, etc. etc. ad nauseum). Sometimes the committee has difficulty accepting that they aren't QUITE as clear as they think they are to the general public. For example, the relative controversy surrounding passports. Every time it comes up. I mean rules for licensure, shows, registration all of it, not just competition rules.

Are you saying she would rather be unpaid and just volunteer. As for rules changes etc, see One above

?? No, I was just commenting on someone who works "in the trenches" who spends roughly equal time doing rated shows and unrated shows. Supporting your position that many of the volunteers are real lovers and cheerleaders of the sport. Indicating that some of those volunteers are just as frustrated by the silly behaviour of the EC executive from time to time.

Committees 'meet' by teleconference, generally once per month, more often if necessary. The bulk of the work is conducted to email. BTW EC is in Ottawa.

Every training course I've looked at has been in Toronto. I am sure there are a lot more opportunities. To be honest, I have a hard enough time travelling to the meetings for the Arabian club I belong to.

--

Maybe I will submit a story on our ring steward, she really is a fixture in our region. How long does it usually take to turnaround a story? I would love to have it appear toward the end of our summer season. Maybe the beginning...:D

[Fixerupper]

What I would like to see is EC making funding for our top Canadian riders contingent on clinics by them provided across the country....'coaches clinics' make the most sense.
While it is true that the funding for the 'elite' riders is not great, money would be well spent 'sharing the riches'...if they get to train with RD or other top international trainers...pass it on.

[rugbygirl]

^ they sort of do that already, I thought...but mostly just the riders and coaches who want to. A lot of them make their living coaching, others don't at all. It's a neat idea to make it mandatory.

It would be neat to train with an Olympian, but my coach is within 3 hours of Spruce Meadows, we have access to some very big names. We have the facility to host them. She can only find one or two of the top riders to come up for clinics...and it isn't a money issue. It's the issue that the clinicians refuse to take anyone who jumps less than 4'. We are absolutely overjoyed to be hosting a relatively big name in January. He agreed to give lessons to our cross-rail jumpers AND our 4'+ people. I am super-excited. Everyone on our team will learn a ton, and have a new experience.

I know that clinicians' time is valuable, and they may not want to waste it on people who are "not serious"...but as long as that attitude is prevalent, you're not going to see that trickle down effect.

[dilligaff2]

But, it was EC who ran around screaming "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" putting enormous pressure on us VOLUNTEERS who were trying to understand the rules and deal with the members who were understandably upset over this huge announcement followed by SILENCE. NJR


And let's not forget that after 2 months of trying to get answers--I finally received an email with some concrete details on the new Competition Structure from a member of the Competitions Committee.

I was then reprimanded by the Competitions Committee for sharing the information with members because it was sent to me via email. At the time, there was no disclamer on the EC emails that information was for the receiver only but within a week--THERE IT WAS!:lol:

[CatOnLap]

Bronte-your assumption that we are sitting here doing nothing is wrong. For 20 years I worked in the CEF and its deriviatives in many capacities. When it started to morph into the EC about 7 years ago, it was clear that although the PTB were "consulting" the membership in a very expensive way by flying around the country on a grand tour visiting the big cities and holding meetings, they were not listening at all to the feedback from the general membership.

Also at that time, our provincial association began sending a lump sum to EC every year to help fund it. The amount at the time was around $3 per member when memberships were $25 and has been incorporated into the fees ever since, to use their officials and tests. Now they have added an additional $10 surcharge. Our membership for next year is going to cost $55, of which about $13 will go to the EC. Close enough to call it 25%.

[CatOnLap]

from my province's bulletin about so called benefits from EC for non competitive members:

Creating an online information and communication strategy to advise members of all current and
urgent information with regards to Government legislation, border crossing issues, disease
control and information.
Gosh, last year when crossing the border, I could find no current info on what was required on the EC website. FAIL

• Ongoing work with federal government agencies on issues such as fair and equitable taxation
status including having horses "zero rated" for GST, address the need for horses to be considered
livestock and accorded the same rights and privileges as other livestock
Yes and unfortunately, this has contributed to the massive importation of horses from the USA to our slaughter plants, which is not what I consider humane treatment. The EC should be lobbying to protect horses from this and the only way is to consider them pets. PLus, I already pay both GST and PST on all my horse supplies, so how has this helped?

as well as access to
public lands for recreational riding.
So I guess this is why the Trans Canada Trail is inaccessible to horses in my city, right? Even though I helped pay for it?

• Representing Canadian horse owners to the federal government with regards to a national
equine identification and information system that will be approved by government and used for
all horse movement in Canada. Equine Canada will insure the rights of horse owners are
protected.
This extremely controversial program is not appreciated nor needed for most of us and will cost us more as it is implemented, with mandatory microchipping and separate registration even though the horse may already be registered through their passport or breed association. Laughable

• Continuing to develop equine health and welfare standards throughout Canada which include
minimum standards of care, minimum standards for transportation, and work with legislators on
standards for what is considered acceptable humane treatment. This work includes updating the
Code of Practice for horses, which will be accomplished over the next 2 years.
The only fault I find with this is that it is a contradiction to supporting horses as livestock above

• Develop National standards for equestrian trails and ensure access to the Trans Canada Trail and
our National Parks for riders
see above- the TCT is inaccesible to horses through most of the areas where recreational riders concentrate- i.e. most semi urban and urban areas. And there is no horse camping sites that are government or EC funded in any national park in this province. I'll believe it when I see it

• Work with the Canadian Trails Coalition to enable Provincial organizations to access the currently
available federal trails funding
Oh yeah, way to take responsibility for the work the Prov Assoc has been doing for years already with out any EC help

• Develop national standards for public riding centers and rental facilities and promotional help for
lesson programs, rental centers, backcountry outfitters, etc.
re-inventing the wheel. these standards already exist through legislation and the standards of the various associations such as Therapeutic riding, Back Country Horsemen, etc.
I just don't see any benefit to the majority of non competitive horse owners, and little to any low level competitive rider.

We all run our shows with volunteers. Why does it cost $50 a class to enter them? Because we have to pay all the fees to EC for use of THEIR officials, THEIR tests, THEIR drug testing program, etc. For piddly schooling show no less!

Yeah, I am upset at the total disconnect from the average horse owner in this country.

[Polydor]

Just to give you an idea of how political (or cowed) the average dressage rider is in Canada, I took a look at a major forum today that is Canadian and I didn't see one whisper about any of this.
THIS thread started in the Fall on a US board, yet I see no Canadian discussion on a Canadian board.

Things that make you go "Hmmm......"

I haven't read the entire thread lately , just the last page. But this caught my eye....

Is there a Canadian run forum that is similar to COTH, horse illustrated or similar forum?? I have yet to find one.. sure i techinicaly have one but its tiny.

If there is a Canadian version of COTH please let me know since i would love to find one!

Also about the west not having any voting power, don't know the details but we should considering Alberta alone has 400 000 horses ... those are registerd ones so there a lot more non resgistared ones. We should have a bit of pull in EC.

Also just cruising around the AEF website they actually have a survey about EC reform.
EC reform survey on AEF site (http://albertaequestrian.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=373)

I also just found the AEF detailed comments on the whole thing posted on Nov 2. They definitly are not a fan of them thats for sure but seems to lay it all out fairly clearly. Hope this hasn't been posted already .. sorry if it has. It can be found under AEF News in the right hand corner of the main page.

AEF response to EC Reform (http://albertaequestrian.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=425&Itemid=1)

P.

[Leena]

There was a forum on Equestrian connection, I recall some hot discussions in regard to EC, passport, changes of rules but the forum was suspended for over a year and half ago...

[Nojacketrequired]

The only other one I know is Equestrian Management Group. Very little discussion there, if any.

NJR

[Foxtrot's]

I just got another e-mail from EC (this time in English) - hate to say it, my eyes blurred over and I deleted it !

[Donkey]

I just gotta say - I hate the EC website. It's awful and full of dead ends.

[Nojacketrequired]

Today, I received 3 e-mails from EC...1 in French, all asking for money in one way or another. And telling me how easy they've made it for me to give it to them.

And one from the OEF. Asking for money and telling me how easy they've made it for me to give it to EC. :lol:


NJR

Oh look! We can even get a personalized license plate from them. I'm thinking of this one.... http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/beautifulbrowbands/ecgrab.jpg

[Fixerupper]

:lol::lol::lol:
I'm going to try to get it before you do!!