United States Eventing Association

Preparing for your first horse trial and not sure what is expected of you at each level? Over the course of the next few Rule Refreshers, we will be diving into each level and the performance expectations of each phase. Want to better prepare yourself or your students for their first competition or a move-up? The USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels is a free resource to all USEA members that outlines clear and consistent guidelines for riders and trainers to refer to when navigating their way through the competition levels. You can access this guide by logging into your online services account.

Annemarie Cochrane is a USEF "r" eventing judge who resides in Elverson, Pennsylvania. She recently attended the 2022 USEA East Coast Continuing Education Clinic (CEC) & "R" and "S" Promotion Training Program hosted by Chattahoochee Hills in Fairburn, Georgia. Read her account of the two-day seminar below!

Nothing strikes panic in the heart of eventers like trotting through the ring only to hear ding ding. So many thoughts run through your head: "Was that bell for me? Why did they ring the bell?" Check out all of the reasons why you might hear the sound of a bell while you are competing below.

Looking to change up your horse’s tack for the new season? Be sure to read through the rules to familiarize yourself with what is acceptable for each phase. In this month’s Rule Refresher, we highlight what tack is deemed acceptable for dressage. Text has been taken directly from the USEF Rules For Eventing, with emphasis added by the USEA.

With EHV-1 positive cases on the West Coast resulting in the cancellations of competitions in impacted areas, it is pertinent now more than ever that USEA members are reminded of the vaccination log requirements as set forth by the USEF General Rules and take the necessary steps to ensure their horse is properly vaccinated prior to arriving at their next competition.

Sometimes things just don't go according to plan and can result in a disqualification. Are you aware of the many reasons a disqualification might happen? To help you prepare for your 2022 competition season, be sure to read over section EV117 Disqualification in the USEF Rules for Eventing.

Welcome to the wild world of eventing where we ride when it rains, thank our volunteers, and always say, “have a good ride!” to our fellow competitors. Eventing is made up of three phases: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. To help you prepare for your first horse trial, it is important that you review all of the rules outlined in the USEF Rules for Eventing, but it is especially important that you understand the purpose and intent of each of the three phases.

Did you know that you can place an inquiry regarding your score, protest faults added, or submit an appeal regarding a Ground Jury’s decision? Check out the rules that govern this process below and go into your next event informed! Text has been taken directly from the USEF Rules For Eventing, with emphasis added by the USEA.

Earlier this year the USEA announced a new rule change proposal schedule for the 2023 eventing season in an effort to keep the membership better informed, and it is now time for the membership to weigh in on rule change proposals for 2023.

An open forum discussing rule changes which went into effect December 1, 2021 and proposed rule changes for 2022 took place at the 2021 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention on Saturday, December 11 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was one of the most heavily attended open forums of the convention, and nine proposed rule changes and clarifications which have not yet been approved or presented to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) were brought forward to the attendees for the first time. Moderators Malcolm Hook and Jonathan Elliot outlined all of these proposals and listened to feedback from forum attendees throughout the session and encouraged USEA members to continue to send in their feedback via the rules feedback portal which will go live this Wednesday, December 15 on the USEA Online Services website.