USEA STARTER LEVEL REQUIREMENTS & REGULATIONS

Effective December 1, 2023

OBJECTIVE: To serve as the entry point into the sport by providing a low-impact introduction to the sport of eventing, competing in all the three phases of a horse trial: dressage, cross-country and show jumping. The experience should be fun and educational.

a. Dressage: Competitors should be prepared to do a walk, trot, and canter dressage test with 20-meter figures and a halt.
b. Cross-Country: Obstacles, solid in appearance, with ground lines, where appropriate, to enhance the fence profile. 1. There must be no jumps before or after a water crossing within 25m (78 ft) before and 16m (54 ft) after. 2. There should be an option for a ditch or water crossing if a ditch or water jump is part of the course. 3. Combinations are not allowed. 4. The track of the course must avoid turns of less than a 20-meter radius.
c. Show Jumping: The jumping course should be inviting and straightforward. 1. Recommend lines of 25m (82 ft) or more. 2. Combinations are not allowed.

MEMBERSHIP/HORSE REQUIREMENTS
Membership Requirements: The rider may be of any age. Membership with the USEA is optional. Membership is mandatory to accumulate year-end award points on the USEA Leaderboard, to earn qualifications for area championships, and to earn qualifications for future USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC). A 14-day grace period will be extended to join the USEA or renew membership upon the conclusion of the competition. The USEA will consider on a case-by-case basis a reinstatement of qualifications for the current year championships and current year- end awards, only. A fine of $100 will be assessed for each inquiry to consider reinstatement. Inquiries must be submitted within 30 days after the 14-day grace period has expired.

Horse Requirements/Registration: The horse must be at least 4 years of age or older. Horse registration is optional. A limited or full registration is mandatory to accumulate year-end award points on the USEA Leaderboard, to earn qualifications for area championships, and to earn qualifications for future USEA American Eventing Championships. A 14-day grace period will be extended to register the horse with at least a limited registration, upon the conclusion of the competition. The USEA will consider on a case-by-case basis a reinstatement of qualifications for the current year championship and current year-end awards, only. A fine of $100 will be assessed for each inquiry to consider reinstatement. Inquiries must be submitted within 30 days after the 14-day grace period has expired.

Qualifications: There are no qualifications for a rider or horse to enter the Starter level.

USEA Starter/D&M Fees: A $30 USEA Starter/D&M fee will be assessed for each entry. The fee is collected by the competition management on behalf of the association.

Year-end Awards: Point values the same as the Beginner Novice level.

Area Championships: As determined by the relevant Area Council.

AEC Eligibility: Qualifications the same as the Beginner Novice level.

2024 AEC Qualifying Period: December 1, 2023 - August 13, 2024

COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS

PARTICIPATION: Organizers have the right to combine or divide the division as they see fit.

OFFICIALS
Technical Delegate: Must at minimum be a Federation licensed "r" Eventing technical delegate. President, Ground Jury: Must at minimum be a Federation licensed "r" Eventing judge. Course Designer: Must be at minimum a Federation licensed Certified cross country course designer.

COMPETITION SPECIFICATIONS PER PHASE
All three phases at this level will be subject to the current USEA requirements for the Starter level, USEA Policies and Guidelines, and the USEF Rules for Eventing. Whenever there is no directive given for this level, governance is deferred to the USEF Rules for Eventing, Beginner Novice level and to specifications applied to all levels.

Dress: In accordance with the USEF Rules for Eventing, Subchapter EV-9 Dress

Saddlery: In accordance with the USEF Rules for Eventing, Subchapter EV-10 Saddlery and USEF Annex 1

DRESSAGE TESTS

2022 USEA Starter Test | Small (20mx40m) Arena. Time approximately 4:00 minutes
2022 USEF Beginner Novice Test A | Small (20mx40m) Arena. Time approximately 4:00 | Large (20mx60m) Arena. Time approximately 4:30

CROSS-COUNTRY
Numbers and Letters: As designated by the Organizer and printed on the course map.
Distance: 1200 –1800 meters Speed: 300-350 mpm
Speed Faults: 420 mpm No. of Efforts: 12 – 16 Fixed Height: .70 m (2’3”)
Brush Height: .85 m (2’9”) (not to exceed 2’6” in center or spaced brushing )
Top Spread: .70 m (2’3”)
Base Spread with Height: 1.00 m (3’3”)
Spread w/out Height: 1.15 m (3’9”) Drops: .90 m (3”0”)
Water: If used, an option should be provided. Ditches: If used, an option should be provided. *Combinations are not allowed.

SHOW JUMPING
Distance: Maximum 600 meters
Speed: 300 mpm
No. of Jumping Efforts: 8 – 10
Heights: .70 m (2’3”)
Spread: .75 m (2’6”)
*Triple bars are not appropriate at the Starter level.
*Combinations are not allowed.