One is a potential consolidation of organizational capabilities with a minimum of disruption - a transformed NGB with full responsibility for today's stewardship of the sport and a vision for tomorrow's potential. We must fulfill the USOC's mandate for governance of the sport. Even if the USOC did not require it, the AHSA believes that having a single, consolidated organization as the NGB is in the best interest of the sport long-term. The governance of the sport needs to be democratic, not elitist. If the top of the sport pyramid is cut off to stand by itself, it is still a pyramid, but is a small one among the giants of other sports in the Olympic movement.
Equestrian sport is small enough as it is now in comparison with other sports.
We believe that finger-pointing is not constructive. We will engage our membership through increased communication, as time permits, in a positive and informative way. We hope the principles outlined here can clear the air and allow the focus to be on what is best for the sport. The American Horse Shows Association, as the National Equestrian Federation of the U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship sports of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, and vaulting, as well as 19 other breeds and disciplines of equestrian competition. As the country's largest multi-breed organization, the AHSA has over 70,000 members and recognizes more than 2,600 competitions nationwide each year.