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What's in a name? simplicity

Betsy Carter's horse column

Date published: 1/9/2004

HERE'S THE FINAL answer: U.S. Equestrian. That's the new name of the United States' main organization for equestrian sports.

For many people, it has been a bit confusing to understand the various names of the competing organizations, over the past year, so I'll try to untangle the name game.

The American Horse Shows Association (AHSA) exists no longer; nor does the United States Equestrian Team (USET), which was also called the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) or the National Governing Body (NGB). They have been merged to form U.S. Equestrian.

Okay? Therefore, we are now, all of us, U.S. Equestrian, (if you're a member) whether you ride on the U.S. team or you just occasionally ride at a few recognized shows. This organization will manage all aspects of horse sports from what the officials commonly call "grass roots" to the Olympic team.

I'm not sure how far reaching the "grass roots" go; I'm not so sure they know just yet. But I'm sure they will be hoping to influence the unrated shows at least in terms of quality and goals.

The good news is that Fauquier County's David O'Connor, Olympic champion and all-around nice guy, is the new president of U.S Equestrian. The new CEO is John R. Long, former CEO of Churchill Downs.

It seems the main focus right now is to determine how the funds are to be divided up among the various factions of the organization, and to gain better news coverage of events and to involve spectators.

There is also some talk within U.S. Equestrian that the hunter/jumpers are already close to creating an affiliate organization to serve those members. I'm not sure how this will differ from the former AHSA's separate membership sections, which were designated by discipline.

However, I'm sure there will be many more changes, rules and membership shifts and fee changes over the next year. Officially, the U.S Equestrian began its reign Dec. 1, 2003; the first meeting will be Jan. 14-18 in California.

Oh yeah, the former USET has been referred to as the International High Performance Division (IHPD). Unfortunately, it doesn't have a pleasant ring to it like USET, but neither does U.S. Equestrian.

BETSY CARTER can be reached at The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401 or by fax at 373-8455.

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Date published: 1/9/2004