Postcard: 2008 USEF Annual Meeting
Louisville, Ky., January 13, 2008 -- I feel good, or at least as good as someone can when they haven't set foot outdoors for four days. The U.S. Equestrian Federation's (USEF) annual meeting, held at a downtown hotel, doesn't allow much time for anything but its extensive business.
Admittedly, there is a temptation to nod off after listening to the minute details of endless rule-making discussions, but when attending an event like this, you have to look at the big picture.
And that's the reason I feel good: The meeting has come a long way from the days when it was a battleground between the U.S. Equestrian Team and the old American Horse Shows Association/USA Equestrian. Now there's a real sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that things are being done for the betterment of the members, their horses and the sport.
Programs are being evaluated with letter grades. Conditions at competitions are being scrutinized.
Finally, we're on the road to accountability for the type of experience horse shows provide, and there's more to come.
While in horse sports it often seems as if the breeds and disciplines value their separateness more than what they have in common, I got the sense at this session that they are continuing to come together. USEF CEO John Long mentioned an initiative with the Arabian Horse Association, likely the first in a series of efforts to see how the Mother Ship can work better with affiliates to the advantage of both.
article continues below|
|
Although work crowded most of the agenda, there were several good awards dinners. Pan American Games double gold-medalist Karen O'Connor turned out to be the star of those, since she won both the Equestrian of the Year title on Friday night and came back to the stage the next evening when her little superstar, Theodore O'Connor, was named the Farnam/Platform Horse of the Year.
Karen was, as they say, over the moon. Both awards were voted on by the membership, the media and the board. Even Karen's husband, USEF President David O'Connor, didn't know if she'd won, since it's a big secret until the trophies are handed out. He opened the envelope himself on Friday, but last night, he was pretty nervous and handed it off to Farnam's Chris Jacobi for the big moment.
Karen is an inspiration. She turns 50 next month (as she mentioned several times over the weekend; there's going to be a BIG party in Ocala!) But instead of slowing down, she's going faster.
I caught up with her right after she accepted the Horse of the Year trophy, and if you listen to this sound byte, you can hear the excitement in her voice (as well as the buzz from all the attendees milling around and congratulating her.)
Listen: Karen O'Connor talks about Theodore O'Connor
Oops, I didn't mean to slight another big award winner. Don Burt, a former American Quarter Horse Association president who has also been a key player with the U.S. Equestrian Team and the sport of reining, got to wear Jimmy Williams' sterling silver cowboy hat trophy when he accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award.
As always, a video documented the highlights of the winner's years, and Don has a great appreciation for everything that he has worked for and which has come to him.
"I've never worked a day. I've been a cowboy all my life,'" he admitted in his acceptance speech.
He was a champion in both the western and English worlds and went on a USO tour with cowboy movie and TV star Gene Autry.
"I spent my Navy days riding horses," he said with a happy smile.
Don also had a trick horse act and was involved with movie stars: "Robert Taylor was like a father to me," the Burbank, Calif., native confided, and he taught riding to Bette Davis' daughter, B.D.
His mantra? "In life, challenges give you opportunities."
I was thrilled to be part of the awards picture when I received the USEF's photography trophy for a shot you may have seen on EquiSearch.com, the Young Riders' procession into the arena at last summer's National Dressage Championship. EquiSearch.com won the website trophy for the fifth year in a row. I also got a trophy for the best single article for a piece I did on Gen. Jonathan Burton. His amazing life was what made this one a winner--I was just along for the ride. But as Don said, one of the best things about being involved with horses is the people you meet along the way. Jack and Don are among the best, but so are many of those at the annual meeting.
  |
