“We must continue to educate the non-equestrian community about equestrian sport and our values as there is a lot of misinformation which exists out there and could threaten the integrity of the sport we love," shared FEI President Ingmar De Vos as he opened the first-ever FEI Hybrid General Assembly in Antwerp, Belgium. Wrap-up notes following the conclusion of the Assembly were shared with the public online. Interesting highlights pertinent to the sport of eventing include:
Quick Quotes from Antwerp
“This has been draining and overwhelming at times, but as I stand here I am proud and humbled by the strength of our community and our resilience in the face of adversity. We showed true resourcefulness, but especially we showed a positive and proactive community that can move forward and embrace change. And this is something we have really thought about a lot in our 100th year. What do we want for our collective future, for the next generations? From sporting integrity, good governance and sustainability, how are we creating a positive legacy for the future?” - President Ingmar De Vos on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Equine Herpes Virus outbreak.
“We can agree to disagree, we can have intense debates, but once a vote has been taken, and decisions have been made, we need to move on - Together – and this is exactly the word used to update the Olympic motto: Faster, Higher, Stronger, Together!” - President Ingmar De Vos
“The idea behind social license is that we must be transparent, ethical and accountable for what we do. We must do right by our horses – and be seen to be doing so. If we are not, we risk losing our social license and face dwindling support, and potential intervention by outside regulation. We have such a great story to tell about the horse-human partnership, about what makes our horses such
impressive athletes as well as such engaging characters. We need to demonstrate that this is a true partnership based on respect, and where there is no respect, there are serious sanctions.” - Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare Roly Owers.
Boyd Martin claimed the win aboard Fedarman B on a final score of 29.0 in the CCI4*-L division to claim the CCI4*-L USET Foundation National Championship, adding nothing to their dressage score after two double-clear jumping rounds. In reserve, and the highest-ranked international rider, Colleen Loach and Vermont, the 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Van Helsing x Heraldik XX) owned by Peter Barry, also completed their weekend without adding any points, ending on a score of 29.3. Clinching third place honors via double-clear stadium round for a total of 31.0 points was Leslie Law and Lady Chatterley, the 11-year-old Holsteiner mare (Connor 48 x Mytens XX) owned by Lesley Grant-Law, Jackie Brown and Steve Brown.
In 2021, Strides for Equality Equestrian (SEE) and the United States Eventing Association (USEA) established the Ever So Sweet Scholarship which provides a fully-funded opportunity for riders from diverse backgrounds to train with five-star eventing Sara Kozumplik Murphy for one season (winter or summer). The scholarship funds cover full board and training costs for one horse, several lessons per week, housing, a stipend for living expenses, competition fees, and coaching at competitions. During the duration of their working student opportunity, participants learn to manage, care for, and compete horses in an immersive program and will have the opportunity to work as part of the team in all aspects of running a large, competitive barn, in addition to making critical professional connections that would otherwise be unattainable.
Reddick, FL - The organizing committee of the Majestic Oaks Ocala H.T. is sad to report that No Limits, Oops a 16-year-old gelding ridden by Aline Briot in the Training Rider division experienced a fall at fence 17 on the cross-country course. The horse received immediate veterinary attention at the fence and was euthanized onsite. Aline Briot was uninjured in the fall.
This story first appeared in the May 2022 issue of Sidelines Magazine.
In all horse sport, there’s a risk that you might hit the deck. But if you’re an event rider, that is pretty much guaranteed.