2004 U.S. Equestrian Federation Annual Meeting

Le Goff and Kappler Receive Awards

Los Angeles, January 16: Jack Le Goff wore the Jimmy Williams hat at the 2004 Pegasus Dinner at the USEF Annual Meeting. USEF President David O'Connor recalled his four years riding with Le Goff, who coached the USET event riders to Olympic and World Championship medals in the 1970s and 1980s.

Le Goff came to the U.S. In 1970, after riding for France in two Olympic Games. Before he walked onstage to receive the 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award, O'Connor described him as “certainly French—a larger-than-life Frenchman.”

Chris Kappler was awarded Equestrian of the Year of the USEF. Kappler led the US team to a gold medal at the 2003 Pan-American Games, to assure the U.S. of a team slot at the 2004 Olympic Games.

The USET Foundation awarded its Whitney Stone Cup to dressage rider Debbie McDonald. She was the first-ever US winner of the Dressage World Cup in 2003.

Participants also decided USEF business during committee meetings and working groups,

In the Breeders' Committee, O'Connor said, “This is a key reason why members would want to join the Federation.” Breeders discussed USEF futurity or incentive programs, and a leading breeder list restricted to members of the Federation.

The National Affiliates Working Group discussed the integration of USEF breed and discipline affiliates, both existing and new. O'Connor described a blueprint “for each affiliate, national and international.” Currently, the Federation has applications for a hunter-jumper affiliate, with the contenders the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, Inc., and the National Hunter and Jumper Association.

The Rules Reorganization Committee is developing a plan to make the rulebook more accessible. Their suggested improvements to the ever-changing rulebook would make it easier to locate specific rules through a more user-friendly format, and also define and standardize terms throughout the sections.

The schedule included four veterinary seminars. Duncan Peters, DVM, presented two proactive approaches to managing health issues of the performance horse, beyond the familiar treatments: a preventive program and a comprehensive program, with the equine practitioner participating in the horse's conditioning. Ann Fraus-Hansen, DVM, addressed physical therapy methods to treat leg injuries with immediate mobilization. She described how to handle a bowed tendon, through applying ice and immediate controlled mobilization of gentle motion to prevent adhesion.

The Safety Seminar addressed approaches to enhance safe riding at shows and training barns. As an example of the Federation's horse show improvements, the rider's medical card proposed at the 2003 meeting is now a reality. Troxel sponsors cards to distribute at shows, so each rider can carry important medical information helpful to emergency staff.

by Charlene Strickland

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