It seems only a few weeks ago that we in Area IV were champing at the bit waiting for the snow to melt and eventing season to start, and here we are already at midseason! That's one of the problems with our middlewestern weather. It goes from impossibly cold to decent to impossibly hot to decent and back to impossibly cold which leaves us about six short months in which to cram all our events, camps, outdoor clinics, schooling days, mini events, etc.

Nationally, entry numbers are pretty much holding their own despite the continuing woes of the economy. One Chicago area veterinarian told me that her clinic is doing pre-purchases for the first time in two years which is a very healthy sign for the horse industry. Last week, Lamplight hosted a 1,200 horse, two week long hunter/jumper show. I expect the Area IV total starter numbers will be down from last year in part because of three event cancellations, two EHV-1 related, and one from a very unfortunate calendar problem. It will be interesting to evaluate whether individual event numbers are up or down. To date, Otter Creek, which since the demise of Maui Jim is the only event in the Area to host a division above Preliminary, ran a slim Intermediate, but pretty much held its own in the lower levels. This is typical both nationally and locally - the higher the level, the lower the entry numbers and vice versa.

There is one trend which is evident both nationally and in our Area, and it is causing quite a bit of distress. This is the tendency for competitors to enter events at the very last minute, often after the published closing date. Rick Dunkerton from evententries.com who is involved either as secretary, scorer or scheduler, or all of the above, for the larger Area IV and national events figures that roughly 25% to 30% of total entries come in the last few days before and often well after closing dates. This is in effect a Catch 22. The organizers want/need the entries, but are burdened by the inconvenience caused by the late entry practice. Riders understandably want to hang on to their money as long as possible before entering. I know several USEA committees are addressing this problem, and hopefully, a mutually equitable solution can be devised.

Organizers who don't have the luxury of permanent stabling, have to provide stall counts to their suppliers as early as possible. They also need numbers in order to hire additional judges as needed and to do scheduling. Competitors on the other hand are often faced with stiff penalties or long waits for their refunds if they withdraw. Then there is the ubiquitous "In case of event cancellation, no refunds will be given" conundrum. All this becomes a kind of lose/lose situation, and one that further adds fuel to the "Them vs. Us" fire that exists in varying degrees between the two entities.

A couple of attempts to effect a compromise between these two factions have been tried with some success. At a large event held at a facility with permanent stabling, a "total refund, entry and stabling, less a $25 office fee up until the Monday of the event" policy was put into place with a lot of success. Riders weren't afraid to enter early and lose all or most of their money if they had to scratch. Obviously, this only works when the organization has permanent stabling. Offering a discounted entry fee for those entering in the first two weeks after opening date worked well for last year's AEC's in Georgia. (In effect, this is the same as tacking on a late entry fee, but doesn't a discount sound much more attractive than a penalty?) The "No Refund" after closing date is harsh, especially in light of our chancy weather and other unforeseen circumstances. Yes, a lot of bills have to be paid before an event takes place, but I believe there is room for some negotiation here. New cross country fences were possibly built and new tracks designed, but they'll be there for the next event and wont have to be paid for again. Organizers should cover their bases in the contracts they make with the officials they hire to determine their cancellation policies so they wont be caught short handed if cancellation is necessary.

It's important to try to "walk in each other's shoes" every once in a while. Things could be a whole lot more pleasant if both sides were sensitive to each other's needs and were prepared to give a little to come up a comfortable solution. 

Katie Lindsay 

Area IV Director of Communications 

As most eventers are well aware, there was an outbreak of "Rhino" (EHV-1) following a cutting horse show in Utah.  For a very short, but for Area IV, critical time, there was no movement of horses as everyone hunkered down and hoped that the disease would not hit their barn.

That time caused the loss of not just one but two Area IV Horse Trials both to be held at Briar Fox Farm.  It also caused the postponement of the Area IV Adult Rider's Camp at the same venue.  The Camp will be rescheduled to run later this year - probably in early August - and is open to any Area IV member.

Thankfully they were the only dates affected and our season has otherwise started successfully with great shows at Longview, Otter Creek, Queeny Park, Carriage House and Silverwood.  Later this month Fox River Valley will hold our Area's only CIC* and next month will be the first event at a new venue, Roebke's Run in Minnesota.  Area IV is also the home of the Chronicle of the Horse Adult Team Championships this year which will be held at Otter Creek in Wisconsin.  You're reminded that you do not have to be an Adult Rider to take part so form a team and send your names into Kathy Kerns at adultriders@usea4.org .

We were extremely fortunate that there were no EHV-1 cases in our Area and that our seaon can continue.

CUONXC

John Clarke

Area IV Chairman

Why does this happen?  How can it be avoided?  It is simple actually, just fill out the stable form with one name for everyone!  For instance if Smith wants to be with Harris, and Harris wants to be with Smith BOTH should put down SMITH.  If you have a large group showing under a trainer and the trainer is also in the show, all put down the trainer or barn INCLUDING the trainer!  Stabling a group is like a restaurant reservation.  You would not make a reservation at a restaurant with multiple names.

Here is how we sort out the stabling:  We sort everything by group name that you put on the stabling form.  That is why if 5 people want to be by Smith,  all should put Smith down on the stabling form including Smith.  Otherwise we have to play the match game and quite often something will be missed.  Please do not assume if you are Smith you will be with the Smith group unless you put Smith down on your stabling as well.

As a Horse Trial secretary, I know you come to the show to have fun and be with people you know or work with.  The last HT we just had, I had myself and the owner go over the stabling.  There was still a couple of issues despite the two people looking it over, and at least 2 emails to the competitors about stabling groups.  These people could not be moved, due to how many others it would effect.  We feel bad when this happens, but unless we are lucky with an empty stall nearby, or someone willing to switch, it is not possible to fix at the show.

This one little thing will make showing a bit easier for both competitors and organizers!

Lisa Cannata

Silverwood Farm

This month's training tip comes from an unusual source - Scott Riddle, a former head elephant trainer for Ringling Brothers Circus and current owner/manager of an Elephant Sanctuary in Arkansas where I had the good fortune of spending a few days this past month. He said, "I never let an elephant make the decisions. That's my job." Even though horses are way more open to negotiation than elephants, this to me is a pretty good policy to follow. Too often we see well meaning riders being run around the block (literally or figuratively) by their horses who have made the decision that whatever they are doing is a good idea. Wrong. Make the decision to address the problem before it escalates and someone gets hurt, scared and/or discouraged!