An Open Letter UPDATE: It's On The Agenda p.8

[Hopeful Hunter]

OK -- this is what I've sent. It covers several issues, and I'm not a member so it might be useless, but here it is. Good luck and THANK YOU to all who provided emails, ideas and inspiration!

Dear USEF Executives:

I've been hearing a lot lately about the new organization, new ideas and desires. As one of the multiple thousands who are past but not current USEF members, I've been giving this my ear recently and wanted to let you know of my concerns.

Thanks to a decent horse and increased skills, this older adult amateur hunter rider is finally considering dipping her toe in the rated show waters. But what I've been reading - and past experience with the old AHSA - gives me pause about spending my hard earned money on joining the USEF.

I was a member of AHSA when I got my first horse. Although I didn't show yet, I considered it important to support the organization -- I even got active in the late 1990s round of "we're going to market the sport" and had a letter in the magazine and conversations with headquarters on marketing that went nowhere (I run a showcase PR firm). Combined with the fact that the organization as it was then never even bothered to request my membership renewal, I let it lapse. The NGB fight further distanced me from the organization, and I took to watching from the sidelines and saving my money.

Today I would consider joining the new USEF, but am again not sure it's a good use of my funds. Here's why:
* Rampant abusive practices, particularly regarding drugging show hunters
* Continual secrecy about fines and penalties (there is no searchable archive of penalties or infractions, just a list of names)
* Lack of clarity about the future of the hunter discipline's governance (three organizations want to be "our" national affiliate? Are they set up to take on all the issues of governing? How will they BENEFIT members, if at all? Will this be yet another fee that yields nothing of value for the everyday participant?)
* Lack of a clear "value for membership" statement that is believable.

I know that a national governing body does provide some framework for a safer, level playing field, and that alone is worthy of support. But the costs of membership are VERY high for those of us who aren't A-circuit regulars, and the overall value is pretty low. Why, for example, are so many of the h/j sport's big names being suspended and fined? Why are those who are suspended allowed to essentially continue doing what they do, just from a headset instead of ringside? Why is there no way to look up a trainer or sales agent's name online and see if they've been censured by the organization and FOR WHAT, when and with what penalty imposed (there's a grave difference to most of us between forgetting paperwork and drugging!).

To get me, and probably many more people, to join and support the USEF I suggest you consider the following:

* REAL action when abuse of the horse is suspect. A SWIFT sanction, with a REAL fine that pays not only for the costs to the USEF for the testing and hearing process, but which has a genuine impact on the miscreants. A sliding scale I understand, but then the committee must justify the fine imposed. Make it meaningful -- try $5000 to $25,000 to BOTH the trainer and the owner in a case of drugging or other abuse, with a 3-12 month suspension. Don't wait until the same time next year -- that suspension should be immediate. For subsequent violations, double the fines AND make the trainer financially liable for having drug tests run on ALL of their horses for a 1-5 year period after they are allowed to show again! Treat this seriously, because your grassroots members and those you hope to join you do!

* Break the silence about suspensions' causes -- archive ALL suspensions, including names, dates, reasons and penalties and make it searchable. This will give the average rider a sense that the USEF is truly a GOVERNING body and a place where one can go for information of value.

* Don't impose yet another layer of membership on the hunters until there's a truly demonstrated need AND an organization with ability and support to be a national affiliate. Get the foundations poured, please, before you start building more structures and asking us to pay for them!

* Determine what value -- true, actual value -- the USEF brings to each of its affiliate sections and trumpet it! Give people a reason beyond "because you have to pay the fee to show" to join, whether it's in promoting better course design, better judging, assisting in finding trainers and information -- whatever. Your organization is a goldmine of data, surely there are ways to use that constructively to create genuine value -- and not "member rewards" programs for tractor discounts, either!

Do all of that and you might get not just my membership dollars, but a lot more as well. Good luck -- you face a daunting challenge in a difficult economy, but remember, the most important party of all in the sport -- THE HORSE -- is relying on YOU to do the right thing.

Sincerely,
Gina Kazimir

[freda1]

CONGRATULATIONS ON A FANTASTIC LETTER. EVERYTHING YOU SAID WAS TRUE. DON'T QUIT PRESENTING IT AND IF YOU WANT HELP/BACK-UP LET US KNOW. IF MORE PEOPLE WILL COME TO THE CONVENTIONS AND BE HEARD, SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE HAS TO PAY ATTENTION. LET'S CLEAN UP OUR SPORT!! THIS POLICY APPLIES TO ALL THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THEY IMPOSE AND ALL THE FEES/COST WE GET SADDLED WITH. ONE CANNOT JUST ROLLOVER AND SAY, "OHNWELL. WHAT CAN I DO

[Hopeful Hunter]

and I, too, got a VERY prompt and welcome response from Mr. Long! Maybe there's hope????!!!!!!!!!
----------
Gina--thanks for this. I am beginning to understand the issues to which you refer. I share your concern about the doping issues and am making one of my top priorities to get fully familiarized with the hearing process. As to membership, we want to get to the point where you want to belong rather, than have to. I know we can get there. Lastly, I know it is the horse. I've got a 12 year thoroughbred gelding that came from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.....65 starts over a 9 year racing career. Every time I get sideways with anything, I get on Bob. He straightens me out and will keep me focused on the tasks at hand. Happy New Year!

[War Admiral]

Thank you, Freda & HopefulHunter - you are making my day!!

That makes all of FIVE people who have sent e-mails.

No one else?? There's a 50-plus page thread on H/J, USEF reps are literally BEGGING for support on this issue, and no one can send a little e-mail that says "this stinks and I'd like to see it stopped"??

______________

Thoroughbreds! Everything else is just a horse. :-)

[Pol]

I have written a great letter and now my GD computer won't send it. The first complaint it gave me was that Michelle Gibson's email address was wrong, so I deleted her name and now it won't send AT ALL. GRRRRRR

[INoMrEd]

I have received 2 repsonses from the emails that I sent out so far both of them thanking me for my concern with their intentions of addressing these issues in the very near future!

Come on people write the email and sent it on, it only takes a few minutes of your time. USEF is anxiously waiting for more responses so they can address these issues of abuse, drugging and suspension at their annual meeting in Los Angeles next month.

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." - DAVE BARRY

[Peggy]

Done and also cc'd to main officers of USDF, CDS, and USEA. I couldn't find a contact email for PCHA. Now I can start my syllabus for the course that starts on Monday.

It really is quite easy. I copied the email addy's enmass and pasted them directly into the TO and CC boxes of my email program and was pleasantly surprised when they went in with the proper format. The only thing I had to do was take out the headers for the names of the committees and the job titles.

I've attached my letter as a PDF (or will, once I switch browsers --OOPS it doesn't take PDFs so is now a DOC; double OOPS, now trying text).

BTW, I don't live too far from downtown LA. Although I am probably too cheap to pay the registration fee, I hope to come on Friday for the HJ affiliate meeting and whatever else I can get into at a reasonable cost.

Edited to add: I got an almost immediate response from John Long. Two emails bounced back with bad addresses-William Crawford and Mitch Sperta.

[This message was edited by Peggy on Dec. 30, 2003 at 05:28 PM.]

[CHJoker]

Hi Guys!

I did not get a response from John Long, but I did get a response from a committee member.

It was stated that there are two attorneys, Bill Roose, and Ira Finkelstein who control the comittee, and have for many years. Evidently, they call the shots, and charge the organization big bucks for their advice. But, the comittee member was in agreement (with us), and had been trying for change.

I have to ask...doesn't the committee vote? How is it that two attorneys could be ruling an entire committee? How does it work?

Thanks!!

Beth

[This message was edited by CHJoker on Dec. 30, 2003 at 06:19 PM.]

[This message was edited by CHJoker on Dec. 30, 2003 at 06:20 PM.]

[Hopeful Hunter]

MORE responses -- they may actually take this seriously...
---------
Ms. Kazimir,
Thank you and we will be in further contact with you regarding your concerns.

Ms. Thompson, thank you for forwarding Ms Kazimir and Mr. Hosmer concerns to my attention.

Letitia A. Damron
Director, Rules Compliance
Secretary to the Hearing Committee
U.S. Equestrian
859-225-6949
859-258-9792(fax)
ldamron@usef.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Eve Thompson [mailto:eve@bernicebarbour.org]

Subject: Re: USEF concerns

Thank you for writing. The Hearing Committee will meet in a few weeks in Los Angeles, and I will ask to have your e-
letter added to the agenda, along with a number of others which I have received.

Eve Lloyd Thompson

[Weatherford]

Having worked with Ira and Bill on the NGB fight, I will attest to their honesty and ethical behaviour - really, really great guys. And they REALLY care!!!

It's OUT! Linda Allen's 101 Exercises for Jumping co-authored by MOI!!!

[CHJoker]

Hmmmm...what's going on here.

It sounds like some infighting to me (from what my email response said). It could have been misinterpreted by me, but the committee member sounded not so crazy about these two lawyers. It almost sounded like a blame, to be really honest.

Oh well, not to be distracted. Good!! I hope the two lawyers are really good, honest,and ethical!

So, is anyone going to the meeting in LA? War Admiral? Are you anywhere near the LA area? It would be nice if some of you could go, and voice our concerns. Would anyone be willing to do this?

[Sonesta]

Ok, I just sent off my email to John Long in support of taking a hard line stand against the improper use of drugs in competition horses, HUGE fines and LENGTHY suspensions for offenders, and a database of names and details that is accessible by all. I supported the idea of a night steward and increased testing at recognized shows.

Here's hoping they actually DO take us seriously.

Sonesta Farms - breeding Hanoverian, Knabstrupper and Arabian sport horses.<BR>
"Find something you love & call it work."

[Xhltsalute]

Just an FYI.........sent off my support of your open letter to all those e-mails listed.

Of the ones I was able to check, Bbbacon1 and RSDoughert just DELETED the e-mails and didn't even read them..

[This message was edited by Xhltsalute on Dec. 30, 2003 at 11:14 PM.]

[Bumpkin]

I sent off to all the emails yesterday, and have gotten a few responces
I also posted this thread over on UDBB

"Remember: You're A Customer In A Service Industry."
"Proud Member Of The I Love Dublin, Starman Babies,and SunnieFlax Cliques"

[Snowbird]

OK! mine is on it's way too! I hope we actually get an answer and some support and not platitudes about why they can't do it.



Dear David,

I’ve listened for years to how all the offensive rules and regulations which discriminated against the Grassroots Exhibitor were there to protect the horses. But, those rules have never protected the horses only the people who chose to be competitive at the most expensive shows. We do not even have a definition yet of what exactly is “grass roots”.

I want to lend my support to all those who have been awakened by the recent suspensions and realize as I have for a long time; there is no reason why the FEI standards for zero tolerance should be only at the highest level of competition. There is no logical reason that a horse can have even trace amounts of various medications just because it is not competing in an International Class. If it is a young horse on its way up it should not require performance altering drugs, and if it’s a horse on its way down that requires that medication perhaps it should not be competitive. Since we offer “horse” competitions and not “people” competitions and the point is to find the best horses how it is logical that any kind of performance alteration is acceptable, I do not understand that thinking.

As to the threat that worse things will be done to the horses if they cannot medicate them, that is bogus. I must say that I have learned more about how to abuse a horse in the web than I care to know. I have participated in Recognized Horse Shows since 1971and would not have done so if I thought my children were going to learn that it was acceptable to use performance altering drugs for any reason in any competition. What kind of example is that for the children and young trainers?

I cannot conceive of any reason why as a show manager I should be required to supply a container for the needles used to inject horses when horses should not be injected in the first place unless by a veterinarian in which case he can dispose of his own wastes. The Federation speaks with a forked tongue if it says do not medicate but here’s a container if you do. When I started in this industry it was simple sportsmanship that prevented abuses because it was not the winning but the competing that was important. We had a system of winning out and up to the next level and I frequently explained to new riders that losing was what this sport was all about. WHY? Because we were always qualifying; if you won a blue ribbon you moved up to the next level where you would lose again until you could win three blue ribbons and so on up to the Open Sections.

I have been offering Recognized shows for over 30 years because I believed in the principles of fair play and a level competition equal to everyone. This sport was the first one to never discriminate by sex, color, age or even physical condition of the rider. I was very proud of that and it’s why I stayed in this industry. Over the years all those basic principles have been eroded to the point that it is now people who can buy the blue ribbons that are a first consideration. And, because of that we have trainers who will prostitute themselves for money by putting the need for instant gratification of the ego of a client over welfare of the horses. It has to stop and we have to police ourselves.

There are criminal laws that prevent the abuse of animals and there are fraud laws that prevent the manipulation by medication of the results of any competition for personal benefit. This Federation if it is ever to be considered with respect has to enforce those laws. I suggest that when there is a conviction by the Hearing Committee the fines and punishments be increased and that the state where the event occurred be notified of a violation of their state laws regarding fraud and abuse to animals.

Yes, this will be painful at first because it has become so acceptable to be dishonest, but for the next generations there will still be a sport and an industry if we endure the pain now. Judging from the names on the suspension list it may weed down a lot of the committees. There are 98% of the members of the Federation that have never been heard or considered who would cheerfully volunteer to replace any of those who feel the need to violate the law. I want to remind you that the value of what we do is not limited to who are or are not Olympians or Horse of the Year recipients we are responsible for the welfare of the economy of this country. The horse industry is fourth or fifth in importance in every one of our states and nationally we are responsible for a huge piece of the National Domestic Product.

Every community in this country depends on you to protect horses and the horse industry so that we have open green spaces with a most pristine and beautiful use. Children depend on you to give them a fair chance at the brass ring. The Ted Stephens Amateur Athlete Act itself demands a ladder from the bottom to the top. And the law requires that the horses will not be abused or endangered and that there be no fraud within competitions.

· All the shows from A/B/C have very little support for the USEF Rated Divisions WHY?

· Are these the ‘Grassroots” or is it the unrecognized shows?

· Do the Zone Committees represent the needs of the shows of lower ratings?

· Should ratings be based on money offered or on level of difficulty?

· How can we make the ladder so that there are no missing rungs?

In my opinion these are the issues we need to be concerned with because there is no excuse ever for the Federation to look the other way when any horse is being misused to meet the needs of ego for the rider and owner or to enrich the trainers.

You will I hope receive many emails from the silent majority of your Membership. I hope that you can appreciate that for each one you actually receive there are 5,000 members who either are unaware or would have sent you an email except they feel unimportant misused and abused themselves. These are the people you will want to see as spectators if you expect to find those multi million dollar corporate sponsors. The first step in the evolution of this sport is the end of special interests predicated on dollars spent or won.

There are only 25,000 horses that ship into Florida for the winter and there are multi thousands more that stay home and need to feel welcome in the Federation. There is a majority of people who believe that children should go to school, and there are a majority of adults that work for a living and cannot attend 5 day marathons week after week. I would not want my children or my grandchildren to live on the road in tack rooms and motels. And, I do not want them in an environment where it is acceptable to use performance altering drugs on their horses and ponies just so they can feel good for a few minutes and win a $3.00 piece of rayon. Winning is just not that important and it should not have to be the choice I make.

I think that the biggest division in this sport is between those who are willing to support their horses and

those who expect their horses to support them.

Thank you for you time reading this and I appreciate the great sacrifice that you make in trying to improve this sport and grow this industry. I simply feel you need to see the other side of the coin as well.

Vikki Karcher Siegel

Battle Scarred Veteran

[retreadeventer]

It's a groundswell that is becoming a roar, and the powers that be in the new USEF had best lend an ear...the times, they be a changin'...it's a new day, brothers and sisters. Let the Grass Roots speak and be heard! The mighty shall tumble and the weak be strong. What if we could actually make a difference in our lifetimes? Think of the horses we would save from crippling lameness and constant drugging and doping. More poultice, less bute! More grooming and training, less L-T-D and ace! Onward Christian soldiers! Sorry, I'm getting carried away. Hollihorse

Don't underestimate the power of a single committed person. They say one person can't change the world, but indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

[poltroon]

I sent a letter to John Long, cc'd to the committee and O'Connor and Lengel.

[Snowbird]

Well step one it's on the Agenda for LA. I just received this as well.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>

Vikki:
I have received a number of e-letters from concerned exhibitors, which I have forwarded to Letitia Damron at USEF, the Director of Rule Compliance, asking her to put them on the agenda of the Hearing Committee meeting in Los Angeles.

I will do the same with this one if you like, with your permission.

Eve Lloyd Thompson
Bernice Barbour Foundation, Inc.
14434 Laurel Trail
Wellington, FL 33414
Phone 561.791.0861
Fax 561.753.9153

e-mail eve@bernicebarbour.org
Web Site www.bernicebarbour.org&lt;HR&gt;&lt;/BLOCKQUOTE&gt;

Needless to say my permission is already on it's way.

Now the big issue is who will there to present the case to the Hearing Committee. While I will be there I am better at writing than making personal presentations and better at responding than initiating the discussion.

Who else can be there and who that will be there could we count on to assist us? Well done War Admiral you have cracked the glass wall.

Round trip tickets non-stop from Newark to LA only $260.00, rooms can be shared by two people at no extra cost. I'm certain that some of our California friends will recommend less expenisve hotels if needed. You can also chip in for a suite and brave ones can sleep in sleeping bags. I'm sure there are some Fast food places within walking distance.

This is the moment in time when the Membership needs to be there to be heard.

Battle Scarred Veteran

[Tackpud]

E-mail sent - a copy is on it's way to you War Admiral. Not sure I'll be able to get to the convention - for some reason my school likes us to teach classes during the week! But I'm behind those who are there!

[Portia]

In my experience of them, Bill Roos and Ira Finkelstein are both very competent, knowledgeable, ethical lawyers.

I'm guessing the problem with the lawyers' relationships with some of the committee members is that the lawyers have to make sure every "t" is crossed and "i" is dotted. They have to review everything the committee does to confirm it is supported by the rules and by the law, which I imagine can be frustrating to some non-lawyer committee members.

Bill and Ira are guys who are saying, "no, you can't do that because it isn't supported by the rules and doing it might lead to X,Y, and Z nasty consequences and liability for the organization." They have to do that, because they are the guys who have to be prepared to defend every action the committee takes if that action is challenged in court or in arbitration.

Legal technicalities are frustrating but necessary. And lawyers get used to being the annoying person everyone else hates.