By HALEY LOFLIN
Thank you to Piper Klemm for sending me to the USHJA Annual Meeting on behalf of The Plaid Horse. As an avid member of The Plaid Horse Amateur Lounge Facebook Group who has become more involved in USHJA and USEF after buying my first horse in June 2024, I appreciate this opportunity to further my knowledge and education. I met so many amazing and passionate horse people, reaffirmed my desire to show in Florida during the winter as I returned to freezing Virginia weather, and feel inspired to continue to change our sport for the better.
When I purchased my horse, Shameless, I realized that my childhood of riding wonderful school horses did not prepare me for full-time horse ownership, and as a working, middling adult amateur, I yearned for accessible education. I found the incredible resource The Plaid Horse has built in our shared amateur Facebook group, especially one that provides helpful context for the many confusing and abstract things that happen in our sport in a non-judgmental group of peers. Unfortunately, I also possess the need to learn everything I can, and becoming more involved with USEF and USHJA, as well as my local and state show circuit, seemed to be a natural extension. When Piper asked for a volunteer to attend and report on the meeting, I’m not ashamed to admit how much I begged for her to pick me, and only then did I realize I had no idea what to expect.
My only context for attending a large membership conference was shaped by my time in college serving on my sorority’s executive chapter. My sorority meets biennially to conduct business, perform our ritual, and celebrate our membership. I served as the alternate delegate for our convention in Atlanta, behind the chapter president. Every collegiate and alumni chapter was expected to send a voting delegate to be able to conduct business and vote, and every attendee was expected to fully participate. In alternate years, chapter leadership attended leadership workshops and furthered their training.
Since becoming more involved and trying to learn more about USEF and USHJA, I have struggled to contextualize how my own membership fits into both organizations. Perhaps it’s not a fair comparison—USHJA members did not take a voluntary ritual oath to each other and to the organization, but we all hold a connection through horses, whether a junior, amateur, trainer, steward, professional, leaser, re-rider, jumper, hunter, equitation rider, or some combination. We make a conscious decision to spend time (a lot of time), money (too much money), and effort (a lot of effort) to fuel and fulfill something inside of us that consistently pushes us outside of our comfort zone.
While in Orlando, I struggled with contextualizing if I was not representing The Plaid Horse, and if I was attending as Haley, adult re-rider, newer horse owner, currently jumping 2’ with big goals. I wish I could say I’ve come home and told my barnmates and friends that the USHJA Annual Meeting is a can’t-miss event, but I won’t lie. I don’t think there is a place for the amateur or junior rider, and even some professionals at the annual meeting as it currently operates. There should be—but there isn’t. I fear we are no closer to solving the problems I see frequently discussed online: the use of Category III and IV drugs in horses, horse overuse, affordability, incident reporting, that awful hair test video, SafeSport and various bad actors within our industry, the death of the local show and lesson barns, or continuing education for trainers and riders alike. Am I a keyboard warrior? Probably. But when the only place you can find common ground is online, it becomes your only outlet. When your voice isn’t given a vote by holding membership or even attending the annual meeting, expressing feedback online is one of the few avenues to do so.
Every question posed to the membership seemed to be posed right back at the board of directors, executive committee, or USEF representatives. I say that not to diminish the work of those people or the membership present, but I can’t say we accomplished anything meaningful besides lots of discussion. The rule changes people were incredibly passionate about online went undiscussed, including horse falls, overuse, the lack of a cohesive drug and medication list, and the changes to qualifying for Junior Hunter Finals. What was discussed: fixing judging, hiring small “r” judges, bringing back the one-day shows, and combatting the “big box” show. We were told that money rules everything in the world and that it’s not the USHJA’s job to support local horse shows. We MUST use the stoplight welfare guidelines. If something is wrong, find a steward and report it—you may never get a follow-up on that report, but that’s what we are told to do
I remain dismayed by the importance placed on rule change comments and town halls, but at the end of the day, the membership has no power to effect change. Most member-submitted rule changes were cast off as “not fully developed” or “needing revision.” We do not vote on our rule changes that affect our businesses, our horses, show schedules, and lives. The board meeting where the rule changes were voted on had five attendees outside of media and USHJA staff. Additionally, the membership does not vote on its board members. They’re voted in by other board members. We are unable to withhold votes as a way to show approval or disapproval, as we don’t even get a vote. I won’t posit that giving every member a vote is the solution, but there needs to be more opportunity for members to participate (quarterly Zoom or town halls at A-rated shows don’t count), and the board needs to be accountable to its members.
I asked multiple times why there was no livestream, and I was told it was either too expensive or it wasn’t the way to encourage participation. I also heard that the sport and times have changed, and USHJA needs to change with them. So why not make it accessible to all members? There are still so many voices missing from the conversation, either because people cannot afford to attend or there is no incentive to do so. I would love to attend every year, but outside of being on a committee or holding a license, I can’t say it would be worth it. But there are members who should be required to attend every year. I challenge USHJA to make it the educational conference that the board claims will get us out of every single quagmire we find ourselves in.
If we must have the annual meeting in person, why not make it in a central location, not in December, and make it a biennial event? The annual meeting could be a one-stop shop for trainers to become riding instructor certified, become a recognized riding academy, and learn how to run a business. Juniors could attend clinics on how to leverage their riding experience in their future career, whether going pro or staying on as an amateur, understand how to network, learn to design a course, or learn more about riding in college. Every steward, judge, and course designer can renew their certifications. Amateurs could learn more about horsemanship, training, and goal setting.
I’m left with more questions than answers. There are inherent conflicts within our industry—show managers need to make money, trainers need to retain clients, and clients want to accomplish their goals. I also think of the amateur, whose checks are often bankrolling this sport, especially the Low Adult Hunters and 0.80 m jumpers, and wonder what place we have in this organization in the future, especially as the cost of an AA or AO horse continues to skyrocket. I didn’t even include the greatest variable in that sentence: the ~,1200 lb farm animal with a mind of its own that is the reason this organization exists. I care so much about the welfare of these animals who do so much for us, and that’s why I worry for the continuation of this sport and organization as it is today. I write this not to criticize or complain, but to relay what I experienced and encourage others to get involved at the most and care at the least. I need you to. Your barn needs you to. Your horse needs you.
Haley Loflin is a lifelong horse lover who lives in Richmond, VA. She and her horse, Shameless, currently compete in the 2’ hunters and hope to move up to the Low Adults in 2026. Out of the saddle, she enjoys needlepoint, watching Bravo, and spending time with her fiance and Great Pyrenees, Sam.
