The USEF Board of Directors recently approved a rule change, which expands the range of responsible parties for violations of the USEF's Drugs and Medications rules. Beginning December 1, 2015, the rule will include additional categories of individuals who are responsible and accountable parties, which are defined as Persons Responsible and Support Personnel.
The Trainer will continue to be held accountable for violations; however, in addition to the Trainer, and in the absence of substantial evidence to the contrary, Persons Responsible may include the individual who rides, vaults or drives the horse and/or pony during competition; the owner; and Support Personnel. Support Personnel includes, but is not limited to, grooms, handlers, longeurs, and veterinarians if they are present at the competition or have made a relevant decision about the horse and/or pony.
Under the new rule, a junior exhibitor might fall under the Persons Responsible; there must be substantial evidence to support holding a junior accountable.
Neither the Trainer nor any Persons Responsible, including Support Personnel, may be relieved from his responsibility under the USEF's Drugs and Medications Rules due to a lack or insufficiency of stable security. Therefore, the insufficiency of stable security or lack of security will not be an acceptable defense to any drug positive or medication overage in a horse.
The USEF is considering additional changes to GR404 due to feedback it has received since the rule was passed. To join in the conversation and give your feedback on who should be accountable, please attend the USEF Town Hall: Accountability for D&M Violations taking place at the USHJA Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday, December 8, at 2:45 p.m., or at the 2016 USEF Annual Meeting taking place January 13 - 16, 2016, in Lexington, Kentucky.
Please send any recommendation or comments on accountability for D&M violations to [email protected].
The CCI5*-L field was narrowed by one this afternoon following the first horse inspection on High Hope Inspection Lane at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Horse and rider pairs were looking their best, with a few horses demonstrating their readiness for the upcoming competition through their flamboyant behavior (we're looking at you Bronte Beach Z and Dyri).
The man, the myth, the legend himself, Derek di Grazia is back in his typical fashion at this year's Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and he has designed some beautiful tracks for both the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S competitions this year. You can get a first look at these amazing courses as well as some insider interviews with di Grazia himself thanks to our friends at the CrossCountry App!
It's the most wonderful time of the year—and we aren't talking about the holiday season. Welcome to 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) week! This week the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, will be crawling with eventing lovers from all across the globe for the first five-star of the 2025 season and the USEA is excited to once again be onsite for all of the action.
The USEA is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Dr. Timothy “Tim” Holekamp on April 19. He was 79.
Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA
Official Feed of the USEA
Official Saddle of the USEA
Official Forage of the USEA
Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA
Official Horse Boot of the USEA
Official Shock Wave of the USEA
Official Horse Wear of the USEA
The USEA is the official sport affiliate of U.S. Equestrian
Login