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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Safe Sport

9/4/2018

 
If you missed US Equestrian's announcement on Thursday regarding Safe Sport, you might want to check it out. Go. Do it right now.
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I am just going to say exactly how I feel: This ... requirement by US Equestrian is an insult to the overwhelming majority of riders, and it smacks of simply protecting someone's ass. I am frustrated and discouraged to live in a society where common sense and even morality must be legislated by the government, or in this case, the governing body of equestrian sports.
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Certificates for each of the three units and an overall completion.
I completed the training over the weekend. I figured I didn't have as much of a leg to stand on if I hadn't even seen the curriculum of the training. Now I've seen it. I will say this - it's a good course ... for coaches, teachers, nurses, law enforcement, scout leaders, and other people who are responsible for the safety of the youngsters under their care.

Should every human being recognize the signs of sexual abuse, bullying, and situations where there is an uneven balance of power? Absolutely. Should you or I report a suspected case of abuse even if it looks consensual? By the way, it is never consensual if a person under 18 years old is involved. And the answer to that last question was yes.
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Yep, but is it US Equestrian's job to make sure that its adult riders know this?
Should it be the function of my hobby's governing board to insist that I be trained to "protect young victims from sexual abuse?" No, it should not. As a competitor, I do not supervise children, I do not compete with children, and I rarely even see children at shows. 

Should coaches and trainers be asked to participate in a training that focuses on abuse of power over youngsters? Sure, especially if they will be working with children. In my capacity as a classroom teacher who supervises children, you'll be happy to know that I participate in LOTS of these types of training every single year. You should also be relieved to hear that a training for suicide prevention was added to our back to school training this August.

Coaches and trainers (and even teachers) are in a position of power that could be abused. Is that likely? Of course not, but 
because of the twelve pedophiles and seven abusive coaches that have been found to be victimizing their young charges, the rest of us must now watch a series of videos and answer a stack of what would you do? type questions. I made up those numbers by the way; there are probably more pedophiles and bad coaches than that.
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Agreed.
Does anyone really think that a pedophile who coaches kids will suddenly realize that their actions are morally and legally wrong after earning their Safe Sport certificate? No. US Equestrian's position is that everyone should take the training, even if they do not work with kids, since it is everyone's job to monitor and recognize the signs of abuse so that we can report it. Isn't that already everyone's responsibility?

Going back to my first point: it should not be up to US Equestrian to ban me from participating in my sport unless I complete a training in the hope that it will prevent sexual abuse. I don't need my moral compass to be shaped by an equestrian organization. That was the duty of my parents, my church, and my community.
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US Equestrian's website states, US Equestrian is committed to creating and maintaining an equestrian community free of all forms of emotional, physical and sexual misconduct. 

I could not agree more. But I knew and believed that before receiving a certificate that said I had been trained. I bet you already believe it too.
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Get ready to receive yours.
On a much light note, check out yesterday's blog post for a chance to win a pair of Roeckl gloves. 
lytha
9/4/2018 08:20:41 am

wow, sounds like germany

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/4/2018 04:42:56 pm

Or California. ;0)

Carly
9/4/2018 03:41:46 pm

I thoroughly read through the exercises and paid attention to all the videos in the first block, and then after that I just started clicking through to get done as quickly as possible. I was really reaching trying to connect any of this to ANY scenario I personally might come across in my daily horse life, and especially in competition. I didn't finish the training and feel like I had taken anything useful out of it. Of course I would report something if I felt like a child was being threatened or in a harmful situation, but I certainly didn't need an online course to tell me do so.

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/4/2018 04:48:54 pm

EXACTLY! I did each block as carefully as the last, even though I got grouchier as I went, and it took me at least two hours. The only way you could complete it in 90 minutes, like SAFESPORT claims, is if you just clicked without reading.

I was also highly annoyed by some of the pre-test/post test questions. They were vague and ambiguous. The one that bugged me the most was about sending an athlete back in with an injury. Of course that's not an abuse of power, but I got it wrong. After doing the course, the material stipulated "serious" injury, but that isn't what the question said. I missed it the first time, but got it it right when I inferred that they meant serious injury. Bleck.

I'll be very curious to see how many people simply decide to do schooling shows instead of taking the training. Did you also see that we have to take a mini refresher course each year?!?!?!

Tracy link
9/5/2018 11:39:29 am

When this first came out, they allowed all members to take it if they wanted. Since I'm curious, I checked it out and lasted maybe 10 minutes -- it was so, completely irrelevant to me and pretty much just "use common sense" that I didn't think it would be worth my time. I groaned when I saw that announcement. UGH

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/8/2018 04:47:10 pm

Those were my thoughts exactly, Tracy. I took a bit of heat on Facebook as some competitors felt like they would take any training "if it helped even one person." Sure, that's all well and good, but if that's the case, make the training appropriate to the audience!

Val
9/6/2018 12:38:46 pm

What an utterly bizarre blanket requirement for all competitors.

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/8/2018 04:48:02 pm

That's what we get when it's "the law." (shaking head in disgust)


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home