Resolution of the Mclain Ward/Sapphire World Cup elimination dispute is good for our sport!
The North American Riders Group believes to advance the sport of show jumping, all decisions related to its future must put the “sport” itself above all else. This is an example of that. McLain, the USEF and the FEI could have continued a prolonged legal battle but the additional gains on either side would have been for personal gain or pride. Instead a positive resolution has been forged that publicly recognizes the decision was INCORRECT and, importantly, has resulted in a revised protocol for hypersensitivity. Details of the revised protocol will be issued before the Aachen CSIO, but from what we understand already they will require more checks and balances which should eliminate any misuse of the protocol either by mistake or abuse of power. Everyone in show jumping should benefit from this resolution.
We applaud those involved for this resolution while we still recognize that McLain can’t get back the World Cup he lost in Geneva!
