An Open Letter to the Leadership of the United States Equestrian Federation

An Open Letter to the Leadership of the United States Equestrian Federation

To the leadership of the United States Equestrian Federation: CEO Bill Moroney and the USEF Board of Directors

This isn’t written out of anger. It’s written out of heartbreak. Out of concern for the very soul of our sport—the horse.

Those of us who make up the fabric of the equestrian community (the owners, riders, trainers, grooms, parents, and volunteers) are united by one thing: our devotion to these animals. And yet, more and more, we find ourselves looking to our governing body not with pride, but with disillusionment.

We’ve listened to the statements. We’ve read the press releases. We’ve attended the town halls.We’ve heard USHJA President and board member Britt McCormick say that we need a “basic culture change” and must “find the bad actors and get them out.”

He’s right. And, Mr. Moroney, we’ve heard your own words too. At the 2025 Annual Meeting, you said the Federation’s work is critical to the sustainability of our sport and that we must regulate the treatment of horses and protect them.Later, in a joint statement with COO Sonja Keating, you affirmed that USEF cannot tolerate mistreatment or doping of horses.

We agree wholeheartedly. But at this point, we have to ask:

What are you waiting for?

The “bad actors” you reference aren’t mysteries. Their names are whispered on the showgrounds, shared in quiet conversations among vets and grooms, and reflected in the stories of horses who’ve paid the ultimate price for ambition gone too far. Everyone knows who they are. Including, most likely, you.

The problem isn’t ignorance — it’s inaction.

Committees and policy revisions are fine, but they’re not enough. Not when horses are still being hurt, when patterns of abuse or unethical conduct are common knowledge, and when the people responsible continue to train, compete, and profit without consequence.

And even when suspensions do happen, the optics are troubling. Members notice when a well-known professional receives a suspension conveniently timed in the off-season — for instance, in December — when the impact on their business and show schedule is minimal. What message does that send? What kind of “discipline” is it when the reality is that they’re still coaching, still showing, and still benefiting from the system they’ve exploited?

Where are the real consequences?

This slow response — and the perception of leniency — is breeding something toxic: a culture of distrust. Members feel their reports go nowhere. They see selective accountability. And they’re losing faith in the leadership meant to protect both them and the horses they love.

You’ve spoken about a “culture change.” But how can that happen when those who should be held accountable remain in power, their influence untouched?

So here’s what we — the equestrian community — are asking for:

1. Real, proactive accountability.What specific actions are being taken right now to investigate and, when warranted, remove those whose behavior endangers horses or damages the integrity of the sport? What’s being done beyond waiting for formal complaints to trickle through a slow system?

2. Radical transparency.Members deserve to see that the process works. Publish a searchable, complete, and easily accessible database of disciplinary actions. Show that when someone is found guilty of wrongdoing, they face real consequences — not carefully timed suspensions that barely scratch the surface.

3. Leadership accountability.How will USEF’s own executives and board members be held to the same standards? What are the measurable outcomes for cleaning up the sport — and what happens when those goals aren’t met?

Because this issue doesn’t stop with a few unethical trainers. The membership is losing faith that leadership itself is clean. The perception — fair or not — is that power and money protect certain individuals from scrutiny. That some people are allowed to play by a different set of rules.

If that perception is wrong, prove it.

Prove that there’s no favoritism, no quiet deals, no protection for the powerful. Show that the Federation’s loyalty lies with the horse and the honest competitors who make up the majority of this sport — not with those who treat horses as disposable or see rules as optional.

This is not a fight against USEF. It’s a plea for USEF to lead.

The time for playing defense is over. The time for “monitoring the situation” has passed. The welfare of our horses — and the future of our sport — depend on what you do next.

The equestrian community is ready to stand behind you. But first, we need to see that you’re willing to stand up for what’s right.

Do not just tell us. Show us.

Because in the end, it’s not about politics, power, or prestige.It’s about the horse. Always.

— A Concerned Equestrian Community