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Dec 02, 2021
Important Member Updates from the November 2021 USEF Board of Directors Meeting
The USEF Board of Directors met on November 22, 2021 and approved the following Extraordinary Rule Changes that will go into effect today, December 1, 2021.
Amateur Rule Changes put forward by the USEF Amateur Task Force
| • | GR1306.1 Allows amateurs to accept remuneration for performing specified barn duties, including lunging, without affecting their amateur status. | ||||||||||||||||||
| • | GR1306.1 Increases the value of a non-monetary token or gift of appreciation an amateur can receive from less than $300 to less than $1,000 annually. | ||||||||||||||||||
| • | GR1306.2 Allows amateurs to receive renumeration as a Social Media Influencer or Social Media Brand Ambassador. The rule change also designates individuals who accept remuneration for the use of commercially logoed items while on competition grounds as Sponsored Riders, and therefore professionals. The rule change added definitions for Social Media Influencer, Social Media Brand Ambassador, and Sponsored Riders to differentiate between activities allowed and disallowed by amateur participants. | ||||||||||||||||||
| • | GR1306.2 Allows amateurs in the American Saddlebred, Saddle Seat Equitation, Morgan, Arabian, Andalusian/Lusitano, National Show Horse, Paso Fino, and Western Divisions to accept remuneration for teaching beginner riding lessons in a non-competition environment for fewer than 20 hours a week under the following conditions:
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| • | GR1306.6 Includes a one-time exception for individuals aged 18 to 25 who engage in professional activities to reapply for amateur status after a utilizing a three-month waiting period. |
The complete updated Amateur Rule is available here.
If you now qualify as an amateur under these new rules and wish to be reclassified as an Amateur, please submit a letter to the Regulation Department outlining the horse related activities which previously led you to select/hold professional status and explain, as accurately as possible why you believe you are now eligible for Amateur status. You must also verify that you are otherwise eligible for amateur status. The letter must be signed and notarized. The letter can be sent to [email protected]. The Regulation Department will review the letter and update your status accordingly. Any concerns surrounding the request will be forwarded to the Hearing Committee Co-Chairs for review. The Regulation Department may request additional information from you, as necessary. No fee will be required from individuals who are benefiting from the changes to the rule.
Safety & Welfare Rule Changes
•GR849
Any human injury occurring at a licensed competition of which competition management is made aware must also be reported to the Federation on the applicable Accident/Injury form, including injuries to non-competitors such as grooms, spectators, owners, etc.
•GR702.1
Violations of the 2021 updated USEF Code of Conduct are now included in the list of violations against which penalties may be imposed.
•EV153.4
For safety reasons an Eventing competitor who receives a Compulsory Retirement Penalty at Training level or above, will not be given permission to ride the cross-country course.
•EV108
In Eventing, placement poles are now prohibited for jumps at National Horse Trials.
A comprehensive list of the rule changes approved by the Board of Directors at the November 22, 2021 Meeting can be seen here.
Apr 22, 2025
News
In Memoriam: Dr. Timothy Holekamp (1946-2025)
The USEA is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Dr. Timothy “Tim” Holekamp on April 19. He was 79.
Apr 22, 2025
Shop New USEA Merchandise at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event
While we all attend the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event for the competition, the next best thing about the event is definitely the shopping! The USEA is excited to be back on-site at the Kentucky Horse Park for the competition this year and to debut some all-new apparel items for the 2025 season. Here is a sneak preview of what you can expect to see at our booth, located just behind the Rolex Stadium next to the large Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event booth, this year.
Apr 22, 2025
Competitions
Fast Facts: 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event
They don't call it the "Best Weekend All Year" for no reason! If you love the sport of eventing (or just horses in general) the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is most likely a staple on your calendar or a must-see on your bucket list. This week, thousands of eventing lovers will flock to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, for one of two U.S.-based five-stars that takes place each year, as well as top-shelf CCI4*-S competition and two nights of spectacular show jumping.
Apr 22, 2025
Adult Riders
USEA Adult Riders Program to Host Course Walk with Derek di Grazia at 2025 #K3DE
Will you be at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this year? Are you a member of the USEA Adult Rider Program? Then you will not want to miss out on this exciting opportunity to join cross-country course designer Derek di Grazia on a walk of the CCI5*-L cross-country course. The USEA-hosted event will take place at 8:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, April 24.
