Question for Eventerman / Tom22 re USEF Rules on AT.

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cefyl

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Reading the rule book from the Rolex Kentucky I and some of my friends (veterinarian included) cannot understand why AT is allowed to "appeal".

The event was a USEF event run under the jurisdiction of the FEI. Clearly in the rules laid out for the competitors the following applies:-

There is NO APPEAL against a Ground Jury's decision in a case of abuse. Pages 5 & 6 below.

http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:hwQh...;cd=4&gl=uk

Now the Ground Jury consisted of FEI officials who gave the DQ on grounds of abuse. The FEI is "the boss" and the USEF states that as a Federation it upholds and abides by the FEI rules.

So WHY is AT allowed to appeal through and with the support of the USEF? Clearly against ALL the USEF claims to stand for.

Well we all know why.

And for those who think this is getting out of hand and only an American matter think again. What happens there travels and we will not be far behind. Do you really want British Eventing to be governed by a priviliged few like a private club. Hell no - from PN level up WE ALL should speak out and support justice.

This is not a witch hunt but a cry for "fair play" and for the elite to be treated with the same justice as those in the lower levels of equestrian sport. It should not matter who the owners / trainers / riders are the FEI Ground Jury saw a clear case of abuse at the time and the rule book should be abided by and sentence passed with no appeal.

Or I and several others may have interpreted the rules as laid out in a completely wrong light? Eventerman / Tom22 have we?
 
I think she's not allowed to appeal against the decision of the ground jury to disqualify her - which she isn't. As far as I understand it she isn't lodging any kind of appeal but is entitled to prepare a defence for the FEI hearing which is what she has done. The FEI enquiry would have gone ahead regardless but she was given the option of presenting her case in a hearing, which she has chosen to do.
 
the appeal is being done with the USEF 'helping AT to prepare for...'

so the 'club' of CMP and the O'Connors are holding her hand

anyone got flight logs for planes from USA to Lausanne ?
 
Sunflower good point and I thought at first it was not an "appeal" BUT after interviewing AT it was refered to the Appeals Committee. So how can they appeal against their own judgement?
 
This is how I understand the process - AT officially withdrew Samurai after XC at Rolex. The FEI Ground Jury at Rolex disallowed the withdrawl and changed it to a DQ, citing the abuse statute. Under these circumstances, the matter is automatically refered to the FEI Appeals committee which was on-site at Rolex. The Appeals committee upheld the Ground Jury's ruling AND decided to refer the matter up the FEI chain to determine if further action ws required (beyond the DQ).

The FEI convenes the Tribunal to hear the case. AT is asked (through the USEF) if she wants to be heard by the Tribunal (i.e. mount a defense) which she has chosen to do. The Tribunal would meet and decide whether AT wanted to be there or not. The Tribunal will meet on the 25th with AT. Whatever they decide AT can then, if she desires, appeal the ruling to CAS (the Court of Arbitration for Sport). Bettina Hoy appealed to CAS after the ruling at Athens - so, it's the same CAS - actually, it's the very same process that Bettina went through from the Ground Jury on up.

Hope that helps clear things up a little.
 
Thanks SCFarm-USA. I remember the process for Bettina Hoy but thought this was going to be somewhat different given the welfare issuue however obviously not.

One point that is bugging several people who are discussing the process is that as a combined USEF / FEI event and therefore the Ground Jury ruling as stands was laid down on the day by both organisations. It was a hot topic when I spoke with friends in Middleburg 3 weeks ago as many felt the USEF should stand with the FEI on this because of the event status. And in fact if any advice / guidence to AT for any appeal should come not from the USEF but the USEA.

I realise the USEF has power over the USEA but it does seem hypocritical to have one's own officials DQ a competitor at their sanctioned event then turn around and publically support an appeal by the competitor. Bit like saying "well OUR officials stepped out of line in over-riding the withdrawl in enforcing a DQ status". And yes the correct route to ask AT if she wants to appear at the tribunal would go THROUGH the USEF, but for the USEF to make a statement in support of AT by advice and guidance on addressing the tribunal seems spineless.
 
Csfyl,
a lot of us ind the US don't understand the USEFs involvement.
Especialy since AT has violated several USEF rules concerning abuse. One of them is urging the horse on with the whip after the jump, kinde Jockey whipping the horse. AT did this after the Normandie Bank and than after several more jumps.
Not the slap on the shoulder but using the whip on the horses hip.
She violated the 3 whipping rule, she whipped the horse 4 times after the Normandie ( jump # 25 ) and so on. She is a member of the USEF, she rode with permission of the USEF, she rode in the US and should be penalized for braking the abuse rules by the USEF instead of being supported.
The International Riders should be held to very high moral standards, they represent our sport, they set the examples for the rest.
It is in my eyes a disgrace that she could compet in Jersey Fresh, which was a mandetory show for everybody who wants to go to the Olympics.
 
I hope the FEI Tribunal panel watch the WHOLE round as the whip abuse was evident throughout as you said.

If any of you are members of the USEF how about filing a joint complaint? At the very least EVERY member deserves the same treatment from novice to experienced equestrian. And every member deserves a FULL explanation on the USEF stance in this matter. Would they do the same for a training level rider who for whatever reason faces suspension (non payment of subs is one thing the suspend on) - offer advice and support for an appeal , I think not.
 
to save starting another thread - from H&H today:

"FEI spokesman told H&H a decision was "unlikely" on Monday but would be sent out "as soon as it becomes available""

so although the AT hearing is monday - they'll keep us in suspense as to her punishment (if any) for a little longer

......and then I suppose she can appeal to the Court of arbitration in Sport (or whatever it's called)
 
Anyone remember the guy at Hickstead a couple of years ago who smacked the crap out of his horse when it stopped. I *think* he was from Belguim, a young guy, but I may be wrong here. He was disqualified from the rest of the meeting immediately. I don't know if there were any other sanctions. Anyone?

As Airedale says, a racing jockey would be given a hefty ban for such actions. Which hits where it hurts; if they can't race ride they lose money.

If AT does receive a ban for abuse she should also be banned from teaching/training etc.

I wont hold my breath however.
 
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