Midwest Equestrian Center Prompts Swift Action As Amateur Rider Disrupts Horse Racing Class

The Midwest Equestrian Center in Columbus, Wisconsin is a top-notch equestrian facility with a 1200-foot indoor arena. They host various events, including horse shows, clinics, and workshops, and offer programs like riding lessons, boarding, and training. The most recent event, the Midwest Hunter Jumper Association Show, took place from October 13-16, 2023, with the Hunter Under Saddle class on October 15, 2023. This class assesses horses based on their gaits, conformation, and overall appearance, encompassing walking, trotting, cantering, and loping. It’s a fiercely competitive class evaluated by a panel of three judges.

Recently during the race, an adult amateur rider was forcibly removed from a flat class due to her unsportsmanlike behaviour. Tonya Darting, participating in the 36 & Over Adult Hunter under saddle class, engaged in a series of disruptive actions that led to her disqualification.

Targeted heckling disrupts the equestrian class

Amidst the serene backdrop of the horse show, chaos erupted as Tonya Darting began heckling her fellow riders. Clancy Harrigan, whose horse, Tenenbaum, was favored in the class, described the unsettling experience. Darting’s disruptive actions included whispering obscenities and making disparaging remarks to the detriment of her competitors. Clancy Harrigan shared her encounter, recalling Darting passing her on the inside and hissing, “Hey, Clancy, you suck!” This initial incident set the tone for Darting’s ongoing disruptive behavior.

Darting’s unsportsmanlike conduct did not end with Clancy Harrigan. After the class, as many as six riders reported malicious interactions with Darting. Her actions forced one rider to break her horse into a trot, and another competitor was compelled to pull up after Darting falsely claimed her horse was lame.

A third participant, who found herself halted next to Darting in the lineup, was emotionally distressed and left the ring before the results were announced. The impact of Darting’s actions extended beyond the arena, leaving a participant unwilling to speak openly about her ordeal, even with her therapist’s counsel.

Consequences and ongoing investigation

The incident drew stern condemnation from Judge Thomas DeMann, who presided over the class. He expressed his shock and dismay at the lack of sportsmanship displayed by Tonya Darting, emphasizing that her behavior contradicted the fundamental principles of equestrian sports. Judge DeMann noted that such conduct was inappropriate not only in an event of this caliber but in any equestrian competition or even a rodeo.

Realizing the extent of the disruption, Judge DeMann took decisive action. He disqualified Darting and stripped her of the fourth-place ribbon she had initially earned. She was promptly asked to leave the show premises. Furthermore, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated by the national governing body, with an ongoing investigation to determine if Darting had previously engaged in similar unsportsmanlike behavior during under-saddle classes.

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Darting’s removal from the event was not without further drama. As horse show security escorted her back to her trailer, witnesses reported that she was shouting incoherently, with one witness suggesting she exclaimed, “Cash me outside!” This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and respect in equestrian competitions. The equestrian community eagerly awaits the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings against Tonya Darting.

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