#TWOHEARTS #TWOSEXES: Lucky to be an Equestrian

How the media acknowledges women's athletic accomplishments has become a hot button issue recently. Some have pointed out that maybe we haven't realized the issue sooner, since the full ambit of women's sports are thrust into the limelight only every four years during the Olympics. Or maybe now, we have finally come to the realization that women can be athletic stars in their own right, without their success being attributed to a man's role in that woman's life, or without a man's accomplishments being used as a reference point. Either way, it made ME realize how lucky we are to have a sport where women and men compete head to head for the same medals.

I would have loved to make some comments about women equestrians not getting the coverage they deserve, but then again "women's equestrian" would have to exist as an Olympic sport in order for me to do that. The fact is, there is no such thing. When compared to the full list of Olympic athletic events, equestrian sports have always been considered unique. But in two very real ways the sport is as unique as they come. Not only does it require #twohearts, but it is fairly judged among both sexes.

Recently the FEI made an international effort to bring awareness to the bond between horse and rider that separates equestrian from every other sport through the #twohearts campaign.

"The #TwoHearts campaign emphasizes the special bond between horse and rider, introducing our sport in a new way to fans around the world," FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. "Equestrian sport is all about the connection, intuitive link and committed partnership between the two athletes, which make our sport one of the most compelling at the Olympic Games."

If you're like me, you started to get a little wet-eyed reading the article on the FEI's campaign. Yes, it does take two hearts. To win an equestrian gold medal two hearts have to be so connected, so focused, and so in sync that they can complete the most technically complicated and rigorous challenges better than everyone else in the world. (Whether that makes equestrian sports twice as hard as every other sport is up for you to decide, but I think we have a pretty good argument...).

In light of the current upset surrounding media coverage of female athletic accomplishments, I think equestrians have more to be proud of than just two hearts -- we have historically and consistently been all about two genders as well.

When Simone Biles crushed it at gymnastics, someone called her Kobe Bryant. When Katie Ledecky dominated women's swimming, someone said she swam like a man. When Hungarian swimmer, Katinka Hosszu, broke the world record by a full second, her husband was credited for making her the swimmer she is. When a NFL player's wife earned a bronze medal, she was referred to in headlines without even mentioning her name (which is COREY COGDELL).

Equestrians rejoice. Let us not forget that when Beezie helped the team win a gold medal in 2004 and again in 2008, no one said she owed it to anyone, no one said that a man had made her into the rider she is, no one gave her a nickname after a male athlete. At that time, Beezie Madden was Beezie Madden, one of the greatest Olympic Grand Prix riders in the world. This fact was undisputed and applied across the board: she was part of a team that together was better than every other man and woman in the world. Yes, her list of accomplishments is longer than the list of horse shows I've been to. But the point is, every single accomplishment she, and most other equestrians, earn are on an even playing field comprised of both women and men. When equestrians win, they win as the best horse/rider combination. No barrier stands between women & men, or mares & geldings for that matter.

Oh, and did I mention how equestrian athletes span the generations? With athletes as young as 18 and as old as 62, raw talent and experience get an equal chance at victory. Unlike gymnastics and swimming, there are several equestrian athletes aged beyond 25. (Just yesterday, Phillip Dutton won an individual bronze medal in eventing at the age of 52, as one of the oldest US athletes to compete in the Olympics. Beezie is the same age.).

Despite all the positives equestrian sports have to offer, some believe there is a bit of an "optics problem" when it comes to how the general public views equestrian Olympic events. Some common views from those outside the horse world are that its an "elitist" sport, that the horses do all the work, and that the general public can't follow what's happening because they are unfamiliar with the sport. These are hard arguments to combat: (1) it generally is an elitist sport on the Olympic level, attainable to few very talented and very financially fortunate people [like most Olympic athletes I might add], (2) the horses are doing half the work, and (3) most people probably don't know what's going on. But, despite the legitimacy of all those complaints, the sport itself is still worth it's place in the Olympic games given it is the ONLY sport with absolute equality among genders. It may just be me, but I think the rest of the world is jealous of just how progressive we equestrians are.

This Olympics, 200 horse and rider combinations from 43 countries compete for six gold medals in Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. You can find the schedule of events here.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: Part I.

Something tells me she will like to jump! 

How does it go again? First comes the lunge line, then comes the saddle, then comes a trainer wearing an emergency bandage. For anyone that's ever broken a baby (it's been a few years but I've got a few under my belt...) it can be fun, fascinating, and a little bit terrifying. Watching a gangling baby turn into a show horse isn't an ordinary transformation you see everyday. If you ask me, there are too many people that just go out there and buy a made show horse without ever knowing or understanding all the hours of hard work and patience it took to make that horse. Of course, "making" a horse is just a phrase, and more often than not a horse can make you. By "making" I mean the process that went into developing a successful and ride-able mount; too often riders are completely ignorant of that process and instead focus all their attention on the quickest way to get the results they want in the show ring. For me, not only is that short sighted and expensive, but it glosses over the fact that one may lead to the other. It's unattainable because it is unrealistic for many people. Few can afford to trade in one pre-made show horse after the other each time one goes lame or goes out of style. (Of course, none of this applies to billionaires and prodigies...).

Riders are doing themselves an injustice by measuring their success solely by the blue ribbons adorning their walls. Some of the greatest horsemen and horsewomen I know focus their efforts on training, teaching, and making the horses that other people will go on to win with. Just showing up to lesson and compete completely overlooks what is (in my opinion) the best part about riding! That is, the time you spend working with your horse and connecting with them, learning about how they think, how they react, how your actions influence their behavior, and how to optimize your relationship with one another.  At the end of the day, there is nothing better then eventually winning on a horse that you know was completely self-made. 

It's not an illusion, she is really that much bigger than my mom!

In the case of Zoe the dragon baby there is even more riding on her success given the special relationship we all had with her mother. Seeing this feisty little fire cracker learn to lead, lunge and listen to commands is one of the most exciting things I've done in years. (Yes, law school was fun, but uh, it wasn't exactly titillating...). 

Lucky for us we are breaking a baby that we already gave 2 years of experience hand walking, and standing in the show ring. We then moved on to the lunge line, and started her in the stall with a saddle (but the pictures are too dark to see). Eventually, we worked our way up to lunging with a small pony saddle, and being ponied by a buddy. As you can see, results were varied. 

Trying to look sweet. I think it has something to do with the treats hidden in my pockets. 

Showing off those long legs.  

Everything we have seen her do so far has confirmed two things: 1. She is absolutely gorgeous (I can brag, she's my baby!) and
2. She is terrifyingly athletic. As in, I don't know if I'll be able to hold on athletic.

But I guess we should not be surprised. When you mix a dapper thoroughbred stallion with a beloved junior hunter, a delicately featured yet boldly agile little one comes out.  

Day 2 with a slightly heavier saddle, she is still not pleased. 

Zoe with her babysitter, Buttercup. 

Day 3. 

Days 3 & 4: We put my saddle on her this time, with heavy stirrups for her to get used to. She didn't mind the stirrups as much as she hated the girth. She actually spun around and started biting at it trying to get it off! Then, we walked her over to the mounting block and very slowly started putting weight on her back. She didn't care at all! More than that, she didn't even move! Laughing, I told Jaclyn to go get her helmet on. When she came back out, we practiced some more putting weight across her back and into the stirrups. Finally, I said, "Well, why don't you just swing your leg over! She doesn't seem to care one bit." And just like that, Zoe's first ride was in the books with my sister on her back.

Selfie of the first ride. 

This was after 10 minutes of hand walking her around the arena with Jaclyn on her back. She didn't care in the slightest! In fact, it was hard to keep her going! 

I swear, she is completely undrugged. And yet, it looks like she's falling asleep! 

We couldn't contain our smiles at how well she was behaving!!! More to come in the following weeks as we start riding her off the line and teaching her to walk/trot under saddle!

 

Thanks to Jaclyn, for being the brave first rider, and Berto for all your help. Thanks also to AJ for standing ringside with Buttercup and getting all those great photos!

xoxo 

USEF WINS ANOTHER COURT BATTLE, BUT IS THE SPORT BETTER FOR IT?

On July 6, 2016 the USEF Network released a statement regarding their recent win in New York Supreme Court against Archibald Cox. Cox had challenged the five-month suspension and $5,000 fine imposed by the USEF after excessive levels of GABA were found in a horse's system. In a previous post I commented that Cox's challenge (parallel to a similar challenge by Meredith Mateo) could be a GOOD THING if successful, given the thrust of their argument was changing the testing standard to be based on  "scientifically repeatable, reliable, and accepted standards."   Cox didn't win, and the USEF didn't change the standard.

The following quotes were released by the USEF:

"Once again, the decisions of the Hearing Committee were upheld in court. In fact, the USEF has never lost a challenge in court related to its anti-doping program, which protects horse welfare," stated USEF General Counsel Sonja Keating. "The USEF works diligently to eradicate doping in equestrian sport. We take the issue of doping very seriously. Our anti-doping protocol and the Drugs and Medications program go to the core mission of the USEF - to provide access to and increase participation in equestrian sports at all levels by ensuring fairness, safety, and enjoyment."

“Doping cannot and will not be tolerated in our sport. From the grassroots through the Olympic level, competitors must be given an opportunity to compete on a level playing field,” said USEF CEO Bill Moroney. “The USEF will always enforce its horse welfare rules to the fullest extent possible. We will continue to defend those decisions of the Hearing Committee fervently in court, if necessary.”

Immediately apparent  is that most of Cox's argument seems to have been completely lost on the USEF, and instead in a subtly arrogant display of victory the organization seems to suggest that these challenges are laughable given that the USEF never loses. For context, here is a section of Cox's argument:

“The difficulty is, since the substance is naturally occurring (endogenous to horses and humans), USEF’s ban on the introduction of GABA in excess of ‘natural’ levels is fraught with scientific missteps,” the petition states. “Significantly, the natural or endogenous level of GABA in horses is not yet scientifically known, as described below and in the Affidavit Dr. Steven A. Barker filed herewith. The only peer-reviewed study of the topic to date concluded no such ‘normal’ level exists in horses. To make matters worse, the testing protocol USEF used here (and which forms the only evidence USEF has) is not scientifically valid or accepted in the relevant scientific community. The alleged violations are based solely on these test results.”  

It's clear that the USEF is framing this victory as a step toward accomplishing a "core mission". The USEF's general counsel used the words "anti-doping" and tried to move the focus toward "fairness, safety, and enjoyment." Although I think we can all agree that safety, fairness and enjoyment are priorities within the sport, I think this misrepresents the issue and plays toward the broader national issue of doping of athletes. Personally, I have not used nor have I heard the term "doping" used to describe the particular issue of GABA levels in performance horses. But based on both quotes released by the USEF, this language seems part of a coordinated effort to frame them as the "good guys" fighting doping, and avoid the image of an organization that does not hesitate to discipline a member based on what could be unreliable scientific information.... 

It's also worth noting that Cox's argument in part challenged the threshold levels used for testing GABA. The rules as they stand do not impose a "zero tolerance policy", but provide some very minor leeway for naturally occurring substances, or trace amounts with no effect. Yet, the USEF's CEO seems to allude to - at least generally - a zero tolerance attitude. 

I can't comment on the specific circumstances surrounding Cox's suspension, and its not my intention to do so. Rather, I'll note only that I find the attitude expressed from the USEF as interesting and ironic given Cox's argument, which I think would actually improve the system by raising the standards for expert testimony and the weight given to scientific evidence. However, its easy for the USEF to gain support for their take no prisoners approach when they throw around words like "anti-doping" and "fairness and safety". In my view its a bit hyperbolic, and translucent. There is no question that "doping" (or whatever you want to call it) should not be tolerated at any level. Yet, I would have liked to see some regard given to the nuance and details of the issue. Someone needs to acknowledge that there needs to be more research performed, more funds raised, and a better more reliable scientific method for testing and providing expert testimony. 

The USEF seems to express frustration that people keep challenging their suspensions only to lose in court. My point is simply that less people would have a viable path for challenging their suspensions if the process for imposing them was more reliable, and within scientifically accepted standards. I don't know if we can ever get there if the USEF refuses to acknowledge that a modernization of the process is needed, from the ground up. Not just with regard to drug testing and hearing procedures. For instance, stop allowing judges to reward slow and sleepy rounds, over a horse that shows a little spunk. To accomplish true fairness and safety, steps need to be taken to foster an environment where anyone can win a class, not just the horses that have been longed to death and given a cocktail of calming substances. I'm frustrated because the USEF's response to this proceeding seems to completely avoid the larger point: that systematic changes are necessary. 

Of course, no one can deny that in order to avoid disciplinary proceedings competitors should simply not violate the rules. One step toward getting a more level playing field is making sure competitors are not drugging their horses. I agree with Mr. Maroney on that, I only wish that the same attitude would extend to the way our classes are judged, to the behavior that is rewarded in the show ring, and the to standards that all competitors are held to both inside and outside the ring. It follows that the USEF should be held to similar standards when instituting displinary hearings. 

ZOE THE DRAGON BABY ON HER WAY TO CONQUERING THE HUNTER RING

It's official. My two-year old PA bred filly is the best there is. We already know how special she is: the daughter of the beloved Alice, the breaker of halters, and the first of her name, Zoe the Dragon Baby. Despite her dragon like tendencies (coming at you teeth first, trying to eat your pony tail, only doing what you ask as long as she still wants to do it) she is still slowly on her way to conquering the hunter ring. And what better way to start, than on her second trip to Devon! 

I

 We won't mention that she kicked the handler. That she took off in a kicking spree when asked to jog. That she would much prefer napping to any real physical work. That she is truly the one and only PA bred two-year old filly made to dominate the Dixon Oval. No, instead I will bask in the glory that is a Devon Blue Ribbon pinned to my little dragon baby's face. That is, after much preparation with baby baths, haircuts, and schooling sessions.

After all the scrubbing and cleaning - the fussing and prepping - the hours of hand walking and dragon wrestling - the baby was finally ready for the show ring, where she stood like an absolute queen awaiting her crown. 

She stood. She posed. She lightly floated across the ground. She did everything we asked her to. And she looked good doing it. 

Next step, we put a saddle on her! I have a feeling she may start breathing fire. 

IT'S MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR: DEVON!!!

 



 I can almost taste the tea sandwiches and chocolate fudge now. It's my favorite time of year. It's time for Devon!

 

For normal people the last weekend in May is a celebration marking the official start of summer. For horse people, it means Devon. Get out your powder blue blazer, your sun hat and your rain boots (you know it will rain at least once). Pack up your yearlings, your ponies, and your fancy hunters and jumpers, and prepare to watch one very adorable lead line class. You may overdose on iced tea and cucumber sandwiches, you may sweat in your Lilly Pulitzer, and you may suffer a panic attack trying to turn your trailer around between the barns.

 

In less than two weeks my favorite show of the year starts, and at this stage in my life I get to bring my baby. To be clear, I mean my horse baby. Who is less of a baby than she was last year in the yearling classes, but more of a baby than ideal for handling purposes. Leading a yearling around an active show grounds is like having your arm attached to a kite in a tornado. You never know how strong and in which direction she will go.

 

Last year we caught some jumpers and then stayed up until midnight tiring out the baby before her big day.

 



Zoe during her midnight school. Have you ever walked a yearling around a show grounds with a carnival and carriage horses? I don't recommend it. I must have burned off at least two caramel apples.



 After about four hours of sleep we came back to the show grounds and to get ready for Zoe's first class (PA Yearling Fillies). I was so nervous about her misbehaving I walked her around the schooling arena with gloves, a crop, a halter, chain shank, AND a bridle. I even had a secret stash of carrots in my pocket. I handed her to the groom, aka my sister, aka the baby horse whisperer as I watched the class before her go. After I watched about five minutes of the yearling colts I was no longer worried about her misbehaving. One of them reared up and struck out at the judges before getting his front foot caught between the reins. At least I had never seen her do that before. 

Sunrise at Devon, 2015.

 

I walked over to the rail to watch as the professional handler led her into the ring. I felt more nervous than when I had ridden into this same arena doing the equitation years before. I thought, is this what parents feel like when they watch their kids compete? Predictably, I took about a thousand pictures.

 

I held my breathe as she was paraded around the ring with the other yearling fillies. She didn't rear up and strike out, and she didn't get loose and take off. Instead, she stood quietly in the line of yearling fillies and shook her head until the black ear-puffs shot out of her ears. Against the Devon footing, they looked like to black pieces of coal somehow placed in the ring. How embarrassing, I thought. And then I started to laugh, I guess she was going to be pretty cool about this whole horse show thing. That is, as long as she can compete without ear plugs.

There she is, standing like a princess.

If you look carefully you can see an ear puff she shook out of her head in the footing on the other side of her.



Zoe's first ribbon. A proud fourth.

With all my shades of Devon blue.

Watching two-year olds.

All That posing with her first ever ribbon! 

Getting her beauty sleep!!

Good night kisses.
Zoe will be at Devon the first weekend in June for in-hand classes as a two-year old!