Is This a Reining Sport Secret?

Is the reining sport secret men’s business?

The reining sport authority says:

“All complaints filed with the NRHA are confidential, as are the decisions made by the committees in closed session.”

Well, that keeps it all a secret does it not? – click here for a redacted copy of a letter signed by the National Reining Horse Association.

And the rules state you must pay $250.00 to file a complaint and you receive a letter saying that?

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is a not-for-profit association, with a member-elect Board of Directors. For many members they may not know this happens when one of their peers attempts to file a complaint with the NRHA; they receive that letter and the door seems to be slammed shut. The committees all meet in closed session from what we know at this time.

So how do the names on the disciplinary list in the Reiner Magazine get there?

Shhhhh

If all complaints get that letter, as it states they do, then could this be a perceived gagging order on members?

Sections of the membership are showing resounding silence across the globe when issues of abuse are raised. There are those that deny outright what goes on, those that indicate it is going on, and others that write about their experiences and what they have personally witnessed. Those speaking out often say they are no longer members. Others say they can speak now as they are no longer members.

Are the responses of denial verging on a culture where avoiding exclusion from the sport at the expense of horses? Read our article on Who is Protecting Reining Horse Welfare and the public comments.

There is some conjecture that if you lodge a complaint or speak poorly of the NRHA they will revoke or deny your membership as ‘a person not in good standing’. Seemingly they can revoke/not grant it without reason. If this is true, it could weigh heavily into the need for more transparency within the NRHA and its complaint handling procedures and membership rights. It is a not-for-profit membership and not a private company.

Legal Action

Kit Cosper, former NRHA Board Member and an Executive Committee member, is currently testing that clause with legal action against the NRHA after his lifetime membership was cancelled.

Click here to read the court document claim and click here to read the NRHA legal response to the claim. We do not wish to debate or comment on his individual claim and look forward to reading the court’s decision. We can say is that he is an active person in seeking transparency within the NRHA.

These are public documents available through the courts.

 

Now here is a dilemma

If the complaints are confidential as their letter states, then how do the names on the disciplinary list get there? From January 2011 to December 2016 – just 15 members globally had serious action taken against them (suspended/revoked) and just 11 were placed on probation. We know two happened after the courts found them guilty of abuse; Arballo and Weston. One states unsportsmanlike conduct while the others remain a mystery as to why they are listed.

There is conjecture that these people listed are used to show affirmative action is being taken to satisfy the public and those members who are less informed.

Questions, Questions, Questions

We can all ponder how the NRHA is managing complaints but it would be best if you write to them and ask them to answer the questions, publicly?

What exactly does that confidentiality statement mean to a member?

  1. Do you not get an answer to your complaint because it’s confidential?
  2. Are the results of a complaint kept secretive to everyone, including other members and the person/s you complained about?
  3. What happens if a complaint is a serious abuse issue and the filer feels it has just been dropped into the abyss?
  4. Where is the proof that the complaint is handled if it’s all confidential?
  5. Are only complaints filed by show representatives heard and made public?

The members own the NRHA and not the elected board members and staff!

More Questions

Members should be asking:

  1. How many complaints are actually received by the NRHA each year that are ‘locked under confidential’?
  2. How many complaints are found to be substantial and require disciplinary action but none is taken?
  3. What are abuse complaints measured against when the rule book dedicates just 4% of its welfare statement to animal abuse and the code of conduct is not enforced on trainers?

If there was ever a catalyst for the need for transparency and a more independent complaint handling procedure, this would be most likely part of it.

Have your opinion and vote on whether you believe changes are needed. Poll Now Closed.

© 2016 ReiningTrainers.com  All Rights Reserved.

 

4 replies
  1. Peter Wilkinson
    Peter Wilkinson says:

    Busted – this is too funny. I note all the Kool-Aid drinkers aren’t commenting on FB page on this article – the NRHA would use their names as a list of people to remove their membership. Can’t have someone not agreeing with the Reining Lords.

    Reply
  2. Martin Mensoure
    Martin Mensoure says:

    Equine Hollywood – the NRHA is a marketing machine that feeds the ego’s of people much like Hollywood. The futurity is entertainment not a horse show. Hollywood spends millions in building an image as does Reining. Case and Point: Casey Dreary run when the mare collapsed. That was outright abuse of the horse pushed to the point of collapse. The judges did not have the character to do anything. The Marketing Department spun it around to make him a hero that he stepped off and put up some lame excuse, It shows how little the owners know and how willing they will drink the Kool-Aid to be part of the bright lights.

    The horseman have left and now its all about Equine Hollywood at the expense of the horses. Does not surprise me the trainers have the doors locked so they appear squeeky clean.

    Reply
    • Sandy Bentien
      Sandy Bentien says:

      “Case and Point: Casey Dreary run when the mare collapsed. That was outright abuse of the horse pushed to the point of collapse. The judges did not have the character to do anything. The Marketing Department spun it around to make him a hero that he stepped off and put up some lame excuse, It shows how little the owners know and how willing they will drink the Kool-Aid to be part of the bright lights.”
      This comment is a joke. How do you know this horse was pushed to the point of collapse? Were you there? Did you examine the horse after this happened? Unless you were there and were in that saddle, or someone who examined this horse after, you have no clue and no right to pass judgment. Your statement is so false, its a complete joke. I encourage you to go visit any of the NRHA leading trainers, 99% have an open door policy.

      Reply

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