United States Eventing Association

Dr. Kent Allen, DVM who is the Chairman of the USEF Veterinary and Drug and Medications Committees, shared a presentation with lots of helpful reminders for owners and riders about the USEF’s drugs and meds policies at Convention this afternoon.

• 12 hour rule: No injections allowed to be given to horses within 12 hours prior to a competition. Exceptions could include IV antibiotics, dexamethasone and IV fluids. This rule has been in effect for USEF competitions since December 2013 and is on slate to be instituted by the FEI next year. Effective 12/1/2013. On slate for FEI next year. CCTV (such as the Nest system and other types of cameras) have become more popular and are helping to enforce evidence of this rule.

• Intra-synovial injections: Since December 2014 intra-synovial (joint) injections are not allowed within four days of a competition.

• Shockwave: No shockwave treatments are allowed within three days of a competition. Exception for dorsal pelvis and back until 12 hours before and the treatments must be administered by a vet and horse can’t be sedated. This rule has been enforced since December 2014.

• Vaccination rule: The rule was proposed by USEF Vet Committee in 2015 in order to prevent competition management imposing requirements which are difficult to comply with and unnecessary. While show management doesn’t have to ask for vaccination records, if they want to they must comply with the USEF Rule GR845.

• Isolation Protocol: Effective from December 1, 2017, all competitions are required to provide an isolation stall and follow isolation protocol.

• Kinesiotape: No kinesiotape or self-adhesive patches may be used on any horse while mounted at any time during competition. Kinesiotape and self-adhesive patches are permitted exclusively while the horse is unmounted in the stabling area. Nasal strips are permitted unless prohibited by specific division rules. This rule went into effect as of April 2016.

• FEI to USEF division: If a horse is withdrawn or eliminated from competition during a horse inspection at any FEI licensed competition, it is prohibited from competing at any concurrently-held Federation licensed competitions within 48 hours following the FEI Horse Inspection. This rule was proposed by the USEF Veterinary Committee in 2015 and was enforced from April 2016.

Dr. Allen also explained the difference between the types of drugs and meds tracked by the USEF.

• Permitted substances – use not regulated by the USEF. Although the USEF does see drugs show up in the blood and urine tests and tracks their usage.

• Restricted substances – amount of drug allowed in blood and/or urine is quantitatively restricted (only NSAIDs listed in the U.S., dexamethasone, methocarbamol) Remember: Still have 12 hour rule so can only inject the night before.

• Forbidden substances – potential to affect performance, provide an unfair advantage or potentially dangerous to the horse.

Dr. Allen emphasized the importance of knowing the withdrawal times for restricted substances and recommended calling the USEF 24-hour hotline (800-633-2472) or reference the 2017 version of the USEF Guidelines for Drugs and Medications.

Following Dr. Allen’s presentation, USEF Eventing Managing Director, Joanie Morris shared a few important reminders for all competitors.

• Enter your FEI events using FEI entry system or you will be charged $25 by USEF competition departments.

• Don’t wait to last minute to do passports – plan ahead.

• Competing abroad (including Canada!) – have to enter through USEF

• Noseband rule – can be checked in any phase and be asked to loosen it. Will be checking a lot.

• With the new Compliance department now at the USEF, Event evaluations are very important as they are actually making a big effort to deal with some things.

• Committee restructure at the USEF. Eventing Technical Committee and Eventing High Performance Committee now one committee – the Eventing Sport committee.

Many other meetings and forums were held today here are the highlights:

Membership Committee

• Goal of the Membership Committee is to grow membership. The USEA finds strength in numbers, not only for the betterment of the sport, but these numbers also help drive sponsorship.
• Membership Committee Successes in 2016
  • Continued growth from the USEA Intercollegiate Program (created by the Membership Committee)
    • Over 40 affiliated schools
    • Traditionally membership numbers drop off for 18 to 24-year-olds, but since inception of the program this dip has begun to rise.
  • Eventing tests
    • Opportunities for organizers to offer types of competition to people not ready/interested in recognized eventing at that time.
    • Coaching Allowed Divisions (CAT), DX Eventing, additional show jumping rounds, ride a test, etc.
    • Any organizer can make up any test!
  • Recent rule change to better outline the Beginner Novice level, and prevent level creep
• The Committee reminded guests that Area Chairs, Organizers and others can request eventing promotional materials from the USEA for use in their Area and at their event.

About the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention

The USEA Annual Meeting and Convention takes place each December and brings together a large group of dedicated USEA members and supporters to discuss, learn, and enjoy being surrounded by eventing enthusiasts. The 2016 Annual Meeting and Convention is taking place at the Diplomat Resort & Spa Hollywood in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. December 7-11, 2016.

Thank you to our amazing lineup of sponsors that make this event possible: Merck Animal Health, Standlee Hay Forage, Nutrena, Adequan, Devoucoux, Charles Owen, SmartPak, Rebecca Farm, Mountain Horse, Auburn Laboratories Inc., Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Eventing Training Online, Stackhouse Saddles, Point Two Air Jackets, Gallops Saddlery, Professional’s Choice, World Equestrian Brands, Bit of Britain, CWD, H.E. Tex Sutton Forwarding Company, Jump 4 Joy, The Fork at TIEC and more!

Click here for more information on Convention