World Equestrian Center Fighting with USEF over Show Dates

Dressage

U.S.A.

The World Equestrian Center (WEC), a newly built gargantuan size equestrian facility in Ocala, Florida, is fighting with the United States Equestrian Federation over show dates.

Power Play

WEC Ocala requested approval to conduct 12 USEF licensed hunter/jumper competitions during the 2021 winter season. As these requests created a mileage conflict WEC asked for an exemption. The brand new venue is located 10 miles from HITS Post Time Farm, where Tom Struzzieri’s HITS jumper shows runs a long-established winter series.

USEF decided to approved four weeks of competitions during the 2021 winter season, while the FEI allowed them to host an CSIO Nations' Cup and a CDI for dressage in April.

Angry with only being given four weeks of shows, WEC affiliated with the National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) for the other 10 weeks of competition. NSBA is not recognised by the USEF nor the FEI and caters to the need of amateur and pleasure riders.

In a reaction to this decision, USEF rescinded the competition license for the WEC Ocala shows, citing that the WEC shows would operate "outside of USEF’s rules, including class specifications, field of play rules, scoring systems, and most importantly USEF rules protecting horse and human health and safety."

USEF CEO Bill Moroney also stated that the USEF has withdrawn the license for WEC to run the FEI Jumping Nations Cup qualifier, though that change is pending approval from the FEI.

"Presumably, the FEI will also decide whether it will apply its unsanctioned event rule," said Moroney. "It states that any FEI Official, FEI registered Athlete, or FEI registered Horse that participates in an unsanctioned event faces up to six months of ineligibility to participate in FEI competitions and thereby national competitions."

Different Rules with NSBA

The World Equestrian Center is owned by Ohio based Larry Roberts, who owns R & L Carriers, a Long Distance Freight Trucking company with an annual revenue of over $500 million and over 1,000 employees.

WEC is managed by Roby Roberts, who announced that the 9 million dollar prize purse would be redistributed with 4 million in prizes and prize money and 6 million going towards free stabling for all competing horses.

The NSBA has its own drugs and medications rules, but uses the same drug lab in Kentucky as USEF. The organization also has its own list of approved judges.

WEC stated that, "Safe Sport, World Equestrian Center and the NSBA will comply with all requirements for amateur sport as set forth in the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and will refer all complaints to the United States Center for Safe Sport for independent investigation."

Wellington vs Ocala

The WEC had its soft opening in October 2020 and is expected to be a huge magnet for equestrian athletes. The brand new facility has a main stadium, 4 indoor and 17 outdoor arenas, climate-controlled stabling for 1,500 horses, and a luxurious six-story, 5-star hotel.

The venue also has dates listed for seven recognized dressage shows, including a CDI on 15 - 18 April 2021. The national dressage shows planned for Ocala will remain recognized by USEF.

WEC Ocala might become a big competitor for Wellington, where the scene is considered overcrowded and overpriced in winter.

Several big dressage personalities have already relocated up north. U.S. team rider Shelly Francis and Laura Graves are based in the area, while US PRE breeder and dressage sponsor Kimberly van Kampen also said adieu to Wellington for a new life in Ocala.

Ann Glavan Hits the Nail on the Head

In response to the power play between USEF and WEC, equestrian journalist Ann Glavan wrote an interesting column on her Facebook page.

She wrote: "Roberts and WEC understand what no one seems to be able to get into anyone at USEF’s heads: 95% of us do not care about Horse of the Year awards. We do not care about “money won” points or young horse this, green horse award that. We do not care about any of the new random championships or awards USEF invents every year."

"We care about showing at a decent, safe facility for a fair price. We want to spend a few weekends a year having a good time with our barn crew at a cool horse show. If we do well, it’s nice if the ribbons are pretty and there’s a photographer to buy a couple shots from. A decent food joint and beer does not hurt. And the trainers who teach the 95% of us would like some decently big classes with some good prize money for their top horses."

"All I can say is happy trails, USEF. Y’all missed the boat big time on this one, and WEC called your bluff."