This post originally appeared on sister site Eventing Nation.
Running alongside Tryon International 3-Day Event this weekend is the 2nd annual Tom Bass Seminar, featuring a four-hour series of panels exploring issues of race in equestrian sport. The year’s seminar, hosted by Tryon International Equestrian Center, will be presented virtually due to Covid-19 from 3:30 to 7:30pm EST and will be live streamed on Eventing Nation as well as via TIEC, HorsesDaily, The African Connections Research and Education Fund, Inc., SportsQuest International, LLC and on YouTube. Registration for the seminar is open here.
EN loves this mask that CCI4*-L competitor Fylicia Barr wore to the first horse inspection at Tryon International. Fylica is among a generation of rising-star eventers who embrace equality and humanity. Best of luck to her and Galloway Sunrise. Photo via Fylicia Barr’s Facebook page.
Panelists, most of whom will participate remotely, will discuss issues relating to diversity in domestic and international arenas. Four panels will be presented: Domestic, Youth, Media and International.
The program will begin with a welcome from Seminar organizer and moderator Melvin Cox of SportsQuest International at 3:30 pm. EST before launching into the first session.
3:35 pm — Panel One: Domestic
Discussion leader: Melvin Cox (SportsQuest International)
Panelists: Amy Beisel (International Museum of the Horse)
Donna Marie Cheek (1st African American Member of US Equestrian Team)
Michael Stone (Pres., Equestrian Sports Productions / FEI Sec. Gen. 2006-2007)
Ashley Swift (United States Equestrian Federation)
Mia Rodier-Dawallo (Para-Dressage Competitor USA)
Hillary Tucker (Alltech)
Presentations: “USEF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan” and “The Chronicle of African Americans in the Horse Industry”
4:35 pm — Panel Two: Youth
Discussion leader: Melvin Cox (SportsQuest International)
Panelists: Emily & Sarah Harris (Sisters Horsing Around)
Abriana Johnson & Caitlin Gooch (Young Black Equestrians)
Mimi & Sophie Gochman (Baxter Hill, LLC)
5:20 pm — Panel Three: Media
Discussion leader: Leslie Wylie (Nation Media – Eventing Nation, Horse Nation, Jumper Nation)
Panlists: Martha Drum (Writer)
Elizabeth Kaye McCall (Author, Journalist & Media Consultant)
Tori Repole (The Chronicle of the Horse)
Julian Seaman (Former Press Officer, Badminton Horse Trials)
Sally Spickard (Eventing Nation & Strides for Equality Equestrians)
6:05 pm — Panel Four: International
Discussion Leader: Julian Seaman (Former Press Officer, Badminton Horse Trials)
Panelists: Marvin Brangman (International Endurance Rider – Bermuda)
Jean-Philippe Camboulives (FEI)
Julian Hyde (Equestrian Federation of Jamaica)
Brigitte ‘Gigi’ Mathias (Namibian Equestrian Federation)
Sandra Murphy (EquiDiet (UK) Ltd)
Michael Stone (Pres., Equestrian Sports Productions / former FEI Sec.Gen.)
The four sessions will conclude with a Q&A session at 6:45 pm EST and a closure at 7:15 pm EST. To register, click here.
Coverage of Tryon International this weekend is brought by Strides for Equality Equestrians (SEE).