Anyone else tired of the entire Alberta Equestrian Federation /Equine Canada negotiations? Join the club! It is like watching the outcome of a nasty divorce, with the children (exhibitors, coaches and judges) caught in the middle, and both sides tempting the "children" to stay with them.

Members are receiving letters from one organization stating their facts, and then the opposed organization sends their own letters stating members are being misled by the other organization and then state their own version of the facts. It is enough to give one a headache, and reads like some federal party smear campaign during election time.

For most Alberta Provincial members, many of which are recreational riders, they may not have given the controversy a second thought. It has caused confusion though for many active exhibitors, show organizers and coaches, and has caused frustration for many judges. Exhibitors and show organizers are likely unaware that Equine Canada (EC) forbids EC approved judges, such as EC Hunter judges, from officiating at non-EC sanctioned events. The Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF) sent out letters to all Alberta resident judges at the beginning of the year, stating that EC had no control or authority over what a judge can and cannot officiate and welcomed Alberta resident EC judges to officiate at non-EC shows within Alberta and that they would not get in trouble for doing so. As retaliation, EC sent out its own letter stating the information sent out by AEF was incorrect and that judges officiating at non-EC sanctioned events would indeed suffer the consequences. This has put many Alberta judges up against the wall – some siding with the AEF and others siding with EC.

At the end of the day, the members and horse shows are the ones left to suffer. Both organizations seem to forget that members just want to enjoy their horses and the pastimes that they love. Members want to compete, volunteer, coach and judge, and hope they are backed by an organization that provides them full support for their passions. Just like the children caught in the middle of a nasty divorce, we don’t care who is right or wrong or who is to blame…we just want everyone to be civil and cooperate so we can have minimal confusion in our lives and enjoy our animals without complications! The "children" never got a choice in this matter. It would be so nice to see AEF and EC come to an agreement and think about the bigger picture in all of this – the shows, the riders, the owners and the officials.

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