United States Eventing Association

Did you pre-order a copy of the 2021 USEF Rules For Eventing? They are now in the mail, so keep an eye out for your copy and contact [email protected] if it doesn't arrive in the next week.

Didn't pre-order, but still would like a hard copy? The 2021 USEF Rules For Eventing is available for purchase from ShopUSEA.com.

On March 1, 2021 the USEA Board of Governors submitted a rule change proposal to US Equestrian (USEF) modifying Appendix 3 of the USEF Rules for Eventing. That proposal was outlined at the 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, shared in May 2020 by the Chair of the USEA Cross-Country Safety Subcommittee Jon Holling, later discussed in Eventing USA and through various other communication platforms including a live webinar hosted by the USEA. This was one of four different safety related rule proposals submitted by the Board to the USEF and previously considered with the membership.

With the introduction of frangible devices for cross-country fences came the introduction of penalties associated with activating a fence's frangible device. In 2015, the FEI rule regarding frangible devices, which originally gave a rider 21 penalties for activating a frangible device, was changed to 11 penalties.

Following feedback from our membership to the rule change proposal for the USEF Rules For Eventing: Appendix 3 – Participation In Horse Trials, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors voted to modify the rule change proposal, but still to recommend the establishment of rider licenses and increase Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) to the regulating authority of the sport US Equestrian (USEF).

After the popularity of Rules Open Forum held virtually during the 2020 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in December, the USEA Competitions, Calendar, and Rules Committee decided to host another Rules Webinar to share information about the extraordinary rule changes going into effect on April 1, 2021 and the rule change proposals being put forward to the USEF by March 1, 2021 for approval for the 2022 competition season.

Every year, the USEA has the opportunity to submit rule change proposals to go into effect during the current competition year as a part of the extraordinary rule change process. This year, the USEA has submitted four extraordinary rule changes for consideration by the USEF.

There are currently 34 FEI events on the U.S. Eventing calendar for 2021 with the first taking place in mid-March. While all national events in the U.S. follow the USEF Rules For Eventing, international events follow the FEI Rulebook.

In just a few short weeks, the first events of 2021 will take place in sunny Florida on the East Coast and in California on the West Coast. For those lucky riders headed south to escape the snow, it's time to send in those entries, practice those dressage tests, and polish that tack in preparation for the start of the season. For the rest of us sticking out the winter up north, there's still time for some more winter gridwork before the season starts.

The Rules Open Forum, typically one of the most popular sessions at the USEA Convention, is led by Malcolm Hook, Chair of the USEF Eventing Rules Working Group and a member of the USEA Competitions, Calendar, and Rules Committee. The Rules Open Forum will discuss changes to the USEF Rules for Eventing for the upcoming competition season. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear which changes are coming and why they are in place.

As a rider, coach, and designer, I think trusting your gut instinct is a key element to success! Do not be afraid to ask questions. Talk to your trainer, to the officials, and those around you. If you are unsure of the best approach for a line, or a particular obstacle continues to stand out in your mind, talk it through with someone until you become clear on your plan.