Save the Traditional "With Steeplechase" Format Three-Day Event

To:  US Eventing Association/US Equestrian Federation

We believe that the sport of Eventing needs to be preserved in the traditional format at the highest levels of the sport (Preliminary/* through Advanced/****) -- where Roads & Tracks and Steeplechase are part of the Cross Country Day of the sport (CCI-long format).

We believe it is not in the best interest of the sport to change to the CCI short format without first determining whether it is in the best interests of the horse and whether the traditional role of Phases A,B, and C in physically and mentally preparing horses for Phase D can safely be removed from the CCI Phase D. We therefore request an official investigation into the affects of the change in format on the horse with scientifically collected and analyzed data, concluding with the publication of the results of the investigation for the membership PRIOR to sweeping changes being made to the sport.

We believe the traditional CCI format is the apex of our sport and should be emphasized as such. As a result, we request the job description and performance evaluation of the US Chef d'equip be modified to emphasize and reward team and US individual victories/placings at traditional CCI***/**** format events OVER victories/placings at short-format (without steeplechase) CCI***/**** events. We also request a change in the grading and award point systems. Points awarded at traditional CCI format events should count more than any short-format CCI events. We also request a directive be given to Foxhall CCI that ensures they are only able to retain the title of "National Championship of Eventing" if they run the traditional "with steeplechase" CCI format. Similar directive should also be given to Fair Hill International for them to retain the title of "USET Foundation Fall Championship."

We, as participants at all levels and in all manners from volunteer to rider to judge to owner to sponsor, feel the changes made to the sport to date are not in the best interest of the sport and were taken without the concensus and without communication with the membership at large. We feel the traditional format CCI needs to be retained for the good of the sport and the participants within the sport.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Save the Traditional "With Steeplechase" Format Three-Day Event Petition to US Eventing Association/US Equestrian Federation was created by Supporters of the Traditional Format Three-Day Event and written by Tamara Makela (eventer@bright.net).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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