CANADIAN EQUESTRIAN TEAM LEADER REACTS TO NEGATIVE NATIONAL POST EDITORIAL

© Jan Mansfield

Canadian Equestrian Team Leader Mike Gallagher has taken issue with a recent column in Canada’s National Post newspaper by columnist Barbara Kay which questions the Canadian Olympic Committee’s funding to equestrian sports at the Olympics and the relevance of equestrian sport in Canada.  Gallagher, who oversaw the Eventing team which completed competition yesterday, was particularly incensed about her comments that “it is animal abuse pure and simple” to run horses over the cross country in the heat.

“To refer to the cross country as animal abuse is clearly a statement of someone who has no idea of what they are talking about,” said Gallagher who pointed out that at the end of a cross country course there are large teams of veterinary and support staff there, along with things like cooling fans and misting fans, to ensure the horse is looked after and healthy.  The riders are often left to fend for themselves.  “Canada was commended by the veterinary staff for how quickly our horses cooled down and how sophisticated our cooling systems are,” said Gallagher  “Our cool down procedures have been given the nickname ‘The Canadian Refrigerator’ and other nations are copying it”.

As for the cost of sending Canada’s ten horses and riders and support staff to the Olympics in Athens, which Kay says amounted to nearly half-a-million dollars in transport costs alone (she quotes a source at the “Canadian Equestrian Federation” although Canada’s national equestrian federation changed its name to “Equine Canada” two years ago), Gallagher says the COC has paid the airfare for the horses only once in the past 11 years, which happens to be this year.  Previously the last two Olympic Organizing Committees picked up that cost.

Gallagher pointed out that the amount of tax-supported funding the sport receives is probably less than 15 per cent of the cost of training the horses and getting them to the Olympics alone, with the team having to pay the majority of its costs with funds it raises itself.  “We personally have had to absorb over $150,000 in costs because the COC would not support that,” said Gallagher.  “That’s not a complaint. That’s just a response to the article that implies we are sitting there with our hands out.  In terms of the support we receive from the COC, which is very much appreciated, we receive one of the lowest levels of support on an annual basis of all sports.”

Gallagher said the equestrian team brought a support staff of 15 to Athens in support of 10 horses and riders, which is slightly more than the other team sports have.  However, he said, while the COC provides a complete medical staff comprised of over 30 doctors, physiotherapists, etc. for the human athletes, they do not provide anything for the equine athlete.  “We have had to bring our own medical people for the horses, and pay for them ourselves.”

Further reacting to the newspaper column, Gallagher said, “She mentions the cost of the horses, and is kind of inferring that someone is paying for that. There is certainly no public support for that.”

Gallagher noted that the column was written by someone who was obviously bitten by a shady horse deal, which is too bad, but to categorize the entire Canadian horse industry in the way she did was exaggerated.

As for the success of the Canadian Equestrian Team, Gallagher said only the top ten nations in world get invited to the Olympics.  “The fact that there are 10 Canadian horses and riders competing in Athens, up from six in Sydney four years ago, clearly shows the program is progressing.”

“How many Canadian teams are ranked top ten in the world?  We have horses and riders who are here that look like they should be here.  We consider ourselves world class.”

Gallagher pointed out the irony of the National Post column coming just days after that same paper carried a front page photo of eventing rider Hawley Bennett of Langley, BC marching in the opening ceremonies in Athens.  “Hawley got herself to the Olympics through blood, sweat and tears.  She bought herself a four-year-old horse off the track for very little money.  She does not have huge financial backing.  She is the perfect example, of which there are many, of the non-elitist situation making it to the Olympics.”

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Equestrian journalist Jan Mansfield is attending the Olympics under accreditation from Gaitpost Magazine.  Known for her ability to find interesting behind-the-scenes stories, Jan brings extensive knowledge and insight into covering the equestrian events. Jan will also be sending stories and photos from other venues in Athens as she works on her assignments with various mainstream publications. Jan can be reached at januscom@shaw.ca