Ahsa announces equine sports medicine symposium

Abstract

American Horse Shows Association (AHSA) announced an international symposium on equine sports medicine issues was held April 16-18 in Atlanta, Georgia. symposium, jointly sponsored by the AHSA with the United States Combined Training Association (USCTA), followed up on a similar symposium conducted by the USC'TA in April, 1992, and included representatives from Canada and Great Britain, as well as the United States. purpose of the symposium, attended by veterinary medicine practitioners and clinicians and experienced event organizers, was to prioritize and coordinate work currently being done or planned in the field of equine sports medicine. On-going efforts, as well as proposed projects, were discussed. In addition, a system of coordination and communication was adopted. symposium also addressed the issue of funding studies in equine sports medicine. AHSA has agreed to designate a fund through which contributions from individuals and businesses interested in equestrian sports may be channelled to support important equine sports medicine studies which, in addition to other areas, can help address concerns raised following the endurance phase of the three-day event of the 1992 Olympic Games. To demonstrate the International Equestrian Federation's (EF1) commitment to fostering effective work in equine sports medicine issues, Professor Leo Jeffcott, Vice Chairman of the FEI Veterinary Committee, actively participated in the symposium. Professor Jeffcott emphasized the desire of the FEI to facilitate the development of equestrian sport throughout the world, including those areas where it has not been historically practiced. He expressed the most important objectives of the Veterinary Committee in that regard, which include: • To insure that the equestrian events are continued in the Olympic movement; • To study more effective means of acclimatizing horses that will compete in warm or humid conditions; • To develop standards for the conduct of events in all climate conditions; • To provide guidance to event organizers in the planning of equestrian events; • To develop improved programs for the care of competing horses; and • To inform the veterinary and equestrian communities of important developments in the field of equine sports medicine. Professor Jeffcott agreed with the conclusion of the symposium that more frequent communication and coordination among those involved in equine sports medicine work would be of immediate and immense help. Professor Jeffcott committed the FEI Veterinary Committee to playing an active role in contributing to this communications network. In addition, Professor Jeffcott pointed out that the FEI has matched seed money from AB VOLVO to fund research in this area and will provide a sum of roughly $40,000 to be awarded as a competitive award to be judged by a sub-committee of the FEI Veterinary Committee. Although a good portion of the symposium focused on horses in endurance and eventing competitions, issues affecting all breeds and disciplines of equestrian sport were addressed. In opening the symposium, Jane Forbes Clark President of the AHSA, emphasized the importance to all equestrian sports of the work being done in equine sports medicine. The Olympic disciplines are certainly the most visible of all equestrian sports and help to attract the attention of the public to the pleasures of horse sports, she stated. But the important physiological research that this fund will support will have a long-range impact on all equestrian sports. Dr. Catherine Kohn of Ohio State University, who chaired the symposium, emphasized the need to expand the awareness of the ongoing studies to support the FErs objectives. symposium benefited from the participation of internationally renown veterinarians, including Dr. A. Martir Simensen of the United States and Dr. Denys Frappier of Canada. I am pleased that in addition to the general areas where we've always focused, that we are now giving greater attention to specific conterns that will safeguard the welfare of all equine athletes, said Dr. Simensen, who has served as official U.S. Equestrian Team veterinarian at many international competitions. Key input was given by event organizers, including Mr. Hugh Thomas, Director of the Badminton Horse Trials and Technical Delegate for the Three-Day Event in the 1996 Olympic Games, and Ms. Kate Jackson, organizer of the Three-Day Event in the 1984 Olympic Games and the Radnor Three-Day Event and consultant on equestrian matters to the Seoul Olympic Organizing Committee (1988 Olympic Games), NBC