Recap from the Area I Annual Meeting
Note: This
recap is a summary from my notes and recollection. If there are mistakes or errors, I
apologize. However, I think it is
important to try to let those who were not in attendance know what was
discussed. Katherine Cooper
The Annual Meeting took place in
Katherine Cooper addressed the group by reviewing some of the work the Council did over the past year under Jane Murray’s leadership to create a strategic plan for the future. Katherine stated that her goal is to work on improved communication during her tenure as Chair. Please take a look at the new Optimum Minutes page on the website and if you have ideas for stories or would like to write one, contact Katherine or Mary McEachern.
On behalf of Jane Murray, Katherine awarded two Chairman Awards for outstanding service to the area to Michelle Brochu and Sharyn Cataldo. Katherine also thanked Joe Silva for his service as Area Chair and a positive update on his health condition was provided. The Area made a donation to MSPCA – Nevins Farm in Joe’s name in recognition of his service. Thanks was also given to Jane Murray for stepping in and completing Joe’s term and doing excellent work in directing the Area towards the future. The Area provided Jane with a gift certificate towards a pair of Ariat half chaps that she has had her eye on. All four received warm rounds of applause.
Katherine also announced that Championships have been awarded to the following sites for 2009: Preliminary – King Oak; Training – Town Hill; Novice – ENDYCTA; Beginner Novice – Riga Meadow.
After the business meeting, Sharyn Cataldo did a review of new rule changes affecting competitors. There was also discussion of some rules that have been proposed but not yet ruled on.
Notes from Sharyn’s presentation:
EV 143 – 154: Jumping Test
The USEF has adopted the
EV 114.2.a: Dress
Body protectors must be worn warming-up for and in the XC test. (Don’t forget those medical arm bands as well)
The following changes have been implemented for Safety:
EV 105, Appendix 3,
Paragraph 1: Qualifications
Establishment:
o Qualification lasts for the remainder of the calendar year for which it was achieved, and for the succeeding year.
o Maintain qualification by competing 1 time per year.
Loss of Establishment of Qualification
EV 115 Dangerous
Riding
The USEF has implemented another
form for TD’s to fill out. We are hopeful that this information will be
used to track the types of obstacles that are most detrimental.
No Printed Rule Book or Omnibus!
·
USEF
membership:
o Membership is no longer structured by discipline
o $55 annual fee for all members
o No more affidavits are allowed to be used. A competitor/owner/trainer will be charged $30 if they have no proof of membership.
o No more competing for free in Dressage and Hunter/Jumper shows. Now you must join the affiliate organization.
The Panel Discussion began with the following people serving as panelists: Sharyn Cataldo, TD; Tremaine Cooper, course designer; Carol Kozlowski, USEA VP of Safety; Darrah Alexander, competitor; Janine McClain, official; Fran Cross, organizer.
Carol Kozlowski moderated the panel and began by asking each panelist to cite a key issue they see in eventing’s future. The panelists raised the following issues:
- the challenges of the cost of keeping events up to date and exciting for competitors
- land use issues, trying to keep open space available for our sport
- the huge need for more volunteers at events and the challenge for organizers of trying to meet the needs of all different kinds of competitors
- the importance of keeping the horse’s welfare as the first priority and recognizing that our actions have the potential to affect the entire sport (it’s about more than me, me, me)
- the need for help on Mondays after the events. Having clean-up help is crucial to encouraging organizers to keep going because that is when they run out of steam.
-
the challenge of having an event that is professionally
run, yet is still
- a need on the part of riders to realize that their entry fee is not an entitlement. We need to protect our sport for the future and do everything we can to keep organizers going. They are not making money on the events, they are spending money, time and energy for all of us.
The panel was asked about issues facing eventing in the current economy. Responses were:
- the soaring costs of materials is making it even harder to build new jumps. Decreased dollars from sponsors as companies tighten their expenses is adding to the problem. If you see upgrades this year, feel lucky!
- Organizers should try to focus on doing things that worked well in the past and riders may have to expect some entry fee increases.
- It may be necessary to ride in fewer events this year due to personal finances, so make those events count by being very prepared and doing your homework.
- Portable jumps are most costly to build at the outset, but can save money over time if you plan to move the track, etc. It is still crucial to consider the location of each portable fence and how it fits the terrain and its place on course. When asked for a cost estimate, Tremaine stated that your average cross country course costs $1,000 per jumping effort (not counting a water jump or bank complex, which cost much more).
- Maybe organizers can consider reducing ship-in or grounds fees as a way to help defray costs.
Comments from the audience included:
- a request to put all three phases on one day, instead of two, in order to avoid hotel and stabling costs
- could organizers offer free stabling on Sunday night if competitors can help break down and clean up on Monday?
- Can events share portable fences with each other to cut costs?
- Several people asked organizers to publicize volunteer days prior to the events so that they could come and help without missing the chance to compete
- Organizers said if you have even one hour free during a competition, they can find something for you to do that will make the day easier for them! Just ask!
- Encourage parents who are watching their kids compete to help out with various tasks. We all know there is a lot of boring down time for “fans.” Even helping for a short time can make a big difference.
The discussion then moved to Safety. Comments from the panel included:
- Take responsibility for your own safety. Go below the speed if the conditions or your training (or lack thereof) warrant it.
-
Tremaine discussed the
research that was done in the development of the frangible pins. A mechanical horse was used to learn about
how rotational falls occurred. Frangible
pins only help prevent rotation, not falls.
And they only can prevent rotation from a certain kind of fall. There are specific parameters for the pins to
work properly. This year there are new rules for using the pins in new
construction and over the next year for retrofitting appropriate fences. Other developments are a frangible log that
will break on impact. Another is a
brush/wall structure where the brush will fold back if hit. But research is ongoing to see if this is
actually helpful – rather than the normal brush hitting the horses legs and
slowing him enough to allow him to get his legs back underneath himself. The
- Carol pointed out that overall statistics show that eventing has grown safer over the last five years. However, we have been focused on high profile disasters. Statistically, the highest percentage of dangerous falls occurs at the 1* level.
The next topic was the Training 3-Day. Comments included:
- A T3D is important for everyone to do. If you never plan to ride above Training, this should be your penultimate goal. If you want to ride above Training, you should do a T3D to improve your teamwork with your horse and help to achieve the higher levels. Lots of volunteers are needed for the GMHA T3D so come and check it out this summer! This year, the Adult Riders will help to put it on. There is more education and information sharing planned for earlier in the season to help people train and get ready. Nationally, there is work underway to standardize the rules for the T3D.
Competitor etiquette was also addressed. Comments included:
- Think of your attendance at an event as an invitation to a party. Behave as you would in the home of a valued friend.
- We need to realize how our behavior impacts everyone. Several organizers expressed frustration about people who park where they are specifically told not to. This results in damage to property and disruption to the whole parking plan.
- If there is a problem, please bring it to the attention of the officials and let them fix it. Just remember to take a deep breath before you complain and be reasonable in your requests.
- Upper level riders and trainers need to lead by example and volunteer.
Other issues that were discussed included the announcement
by USEA that the Omnibus and Rulebook
will no longer be printed in hardcopy form.
Competitors must access the information on-line and print it out
themselves. If you have strong feelings
about this change, either pro or con, contact Joe Whitehouse, USEA
Medal Program –
USEA has announced a new program that will begin