Social License to Operate and Equine Welfare: The Influential Role of Officials

Dr. Camie Heleski of the University of Kentucky discussed social license to operate and provided updates from the FEI Ethics and Wellbeing Commission. Dr. Emily Sandler-Burtness, a Level 4 FEI Official Veterinarian, and Sally Ike, a USEF ‘S’ Eventing Judge and ‘S’ Eventing Technical Delegate, led a panel discussing the influence that licensed officials can have on our sport’s social license to operate. Attendees discussed training to support licensed officials’ education regarding social license to operate and the need for rules and regulations for horse welfare at competitions.

Planning for the Future: Recruiting, Retaining, and Mentoring Licensed Officials

Chris Rastatter, National Collegiate Athletic Association’s National Coordinator of Men’s Basketball Officiating, and Dana Pappas, National Federation of State High School Associations’ Director of Officiating Services, led the Licensed Officials afternoon workshop focusing on what the future may look like for licensed officials. Pappas shared the joy of officiating is knowing “the reward of officiating immortality” by training and mentoring new officials. After learning from non-equestrian sports, attendees discussed creating a supportive environment for new officials, resource and training opportunities, and feedback mechanisms for current officials.