MAUI JIM will NOT be running this year

[FlightCheck]

And yes, it's official. Just got my email from the organizer, and have permission to post about it here.

I'm trying to take the high road, so here it is.

Katie Lindsay has been a wonderful organizer and supporter of ALL levels with the Maui Jim Horse Trials.

Those of you who have ruined it have my utmost contempt.

[RunForIt]

Oh NO!!!!!! How could this happen?

[FlightCheck]

taking the high road, taking the high road, taking the high road........

[CanTango1]

What a terrible terrible shame.

I am unaware of the happenings surrounding this decision, I know "taking the high road" but I would hope we all deserve some sort of explanation, Not just sorry folks but we had a great run

Either way its a sad day today.

[FlightCheck]

CanTango, feel free to PM Flutie for more details.

I am afraid if I write anyting under the influence of this oxy, the result will NOT be pretty.

I do have her permission to post this, which was the email sent around to some of us who have worked at Maui in the past:


The Maui Jim Horse Trials will not be running on July 8-11, 2010. I
understand that the Kowalewskis have applied for a competition on
that date. Neither Maui Jim, Inc., nor I will be a part of this effort.

I am saddened by this turn of events for many reasons. It will be a
loss both to the National eventing calendar and to the local eventing
community who have looked forward to competing side by side with the
“big dogs.” The main reason, however, is that after many years, the
very best possible team of sponsors, volunteers, staff and officials
has been put together to produce the competition, and I will greatly
miss being with you. Thank you for the hours of work that you’ve put
into this event, for your support, and for the pride that you’ve
shown in it. It has been appreciated more than you will ever know!

Gratefully,

[RAyers]

Katie, I am SO sorry. I loved your event and you have always been a wonderful supporter of me and the sport.

I saw over on the h/j forum some of the issues at Lamplight.

Reed

[deltawave]

This sucks the big one.

I don't care what the story is, I'm on flutie's side. What a huge loss for midwestern eventing.

What's to become of my Smurfy stadium jumps?

[WakeRider]

oh no! That was going to be my dream move-up!!! So sad that this happened... again don't know the situation behind it, but it is sad nevertheless.

[RAyers]

Originally Posted by deltawave

What's to become of my Smurfy stadium jumps?

They can come out west and be part of our proud "screw you" heritage.

Reed

[flutie1]

Originally Posted by RAyers

They can come out west and be part of our proud "screw you" heritage.

Reed

The smurfies are safe in my garage.

For everyone who is curious, all parties involved in the current mess are still under a court ordered confidentiality thing. In light of this, all I am allowed to say I said in the statement flightcheck shared (with my permission).

flutie

[Auburn]

Well, Rats! Since the KHP is not running as many events, I had thought that I might make the trip up to Lamplight for Maui Jim. I have always heard that it was a great event.

I enjoyed the three trips that we made up to Lamplight for the AEC's.

Flutie1, you did a super job of running things. It is a shame that this has happened.

[annikak]

A very sad day indeed- one of the best run, most attended, and certainly safest and most enjoyed events I have had the pleasure to attend.

So sad...Flutie, you deserve the rest to be sure, but boy oh boy, will MJ be missed....

[bambam]

Originally Posted by flutie1

all parties involved in the current mess are still under a court ordered confidentiality thing

well that sounds like an even bigger mess than I was imagining if the courts are involved
yikes

[EventerAJ]

Huge blow to my calendar... there aren't that many Advanced HTs (especially friendly ones) within a 10-hr drive for me.

This really sucks.

Any word as to whether the "other" event may continue the upper levels??

[Kanga]

This is a very sad turn of events....I don't know the situation that has surrounded why this happened but does anyone know if this effects the running of Wayne DuPage in August? Or have we lost that also?

Very, very sad!!!

[sassparella]

First and foremost – thank you Katie for the many years you have organized this event. As an outrider for you many years ago, I developed a passion for this sport. Since that time, you have consistently provided an outstanding, challenging, and safe event for my horses to compete. Moreover, you have done this constantly under many trying circumstances. This is a huge blow for Area IV and the eventing community as a whole.

[3's a charm]

First, let this be all about me.
I have been planning on doing training, at this event, this year for two years. This year it falls over my 50th birthday, and I had plans.
Now on a much larger scale this sucks.
That's all I can say, this just reallly sucks

[Threeday33]

I, too, am curious about whether Wayne DuPage will still exist in August in addition to the July event or if it is potentially moving to the July dates. I am also wondering whether it will run an advanced horse trials or not. It would be a real shame to lose the only advanced horse trials in Area IV!

If this is the case, for selfish reasons, I am so glad I did my first advanced last year...I always wanted it to be at Wayne, where I've watched so many great riders run for so many years!

I appreciate that Dan and Erin are willing to host an additional event, if that is the case, or still run Wayne DuPage no matter what weekend it will now be! I would hate to lose all events at Lamplight if this is an issue with Lamplight! I'm sure we will find out soon enough so we can update our competition schedules.

Thank you Katie, MJ organizers and sponsors for doing such a great job for so many years!!! We appreciate it!!!

Chrissy

[Couture TB]

I can't believe this is happening. There are so few events in this area and to lose that one is horrible. That was always one of my fav events, to either compete at or watch. Just sad

[Badger]

What a loss for the eventing community. This was hands down the best event in area IV. Thank you flutie and all who have provided such a great experience year after year. I dearly hope this is only a hiatus.