Letter from the President

Building a Better Life—With Horses

Fall traditionally is back-to-school season, but for those of us who are lucky enough to share our lives with horses, we learn every time we’re in the company of these wonderful animals. We all know what great teachers horses are, and in this issue we take a closer look at the various ways they enrich our lives.

Our cover story takes you behind the scenes at three of US Equestrian’s Community Outreach Organizations—Horse SenseAbility in Sherborn, Mass., HorseSensing in Shelbyville, Ky., and Metropolitan Equestrian Team in New York, N.Y.—where participants are learning both horsemanship and life skills. The Community Outreach Organizations initiative’s mission is to increase under-represented or underserved communities’ access to horses and horse sports, but they are doing even more than that. Horses at Community Outreach Organizations like the three spotlighted here are not only spreading the joy we all get from equine interactions. They’re also helping people gain the kinds of practical skills that are the foundation for college and professional careers. From their participation in these equestrian programs, both kids and adults can learn everything from how to make a work schedule, to hands-on horse care skills, to effective interpersonal communication, to how to fill out a college application, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, or interview for a job. That’s good for individuals, for the horse industry, and for society in general.

Know a group that might want to become a Community Outreach Organization? The next application period will open on Oct. 1 and close on Nov. 30. You can learn more about the USEF Community Outreach program and the application process online at usef.org/about-us/ diversity-inclusion/organizations-program.

USEF Community Outreach Organizations also are eligible to apply for grants through the USEF Opportunity Fund. If you’d like to support these organizations and our shared effort to bring the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible, please consider making a donation to the Opportunity Fund. Individuals can make a tax-deductible donation by clicking the Donate tab on the usef.org home page. For more information about USEF Opportunity Fund sponsorship opportunities, please contact USEF Director of Sponsorship Layson Griffin at lgriffin@usef.org.

For junior and collegiate equestrians, this issue’s “Back to School … and Horses” feature highlights programs from USEF, our Education partners, and our affiliate organizations that can keep students in the saddle and competing well past summer. There are scholarships, interscholastic and intercollegiate team opportunities, affiliate-related grants and activities, and much more on offer to help students maintain their equestrian lives during their academic careers. This guide provides some handy resources to consider, whatever your favorite discipline or breed. Of course, a safe environment is crucial for learning. USEF is committed to providing that safe environment for equestrian sport, including through such programs as the Safe Sport and the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies. The fall issue’s third feature, “Protecting Our Community,” explores this concept of community protection, why it’s so important, and the resources US Equestrian has to support this vital effort. It’s an important read that also includes details about this year’s updates to the MAAPP and information on ways to report misconduct. DRAFT Continuing in the spirit of learning, this fall issue also offers chances to learn more about your horse or pony’s health. This issue’s Horse Health department, we called on Dr. Luke Fallon of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute for an overview of equine cellulitis. The article arms you with tips for spotting this troublesome condition and for working with your veterinarian to treat it. In Learning Center, we introduce a two new videos that recently debuted in our online Learning Center (usef.org/learn). One is about equine gastric ulcers that was hosted by Dr. Nimet Browne of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. The other is the latest in our “Community Conversations” series and is a webinar about creating inclusive spaces for trans and non-binary equestrians. These elements—sharing knowledge and building a safe and thriving community—are what US Equestrian and its vision and mission are all about. We’re glad you’ve joined us as we continue our work to broaden the equestrian world, make it a safe space for all, and spread the joy of a life with horses to all. Tom O’Mara President