With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) announcement in May 2021 that anyone who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a face covering/mask or physically distancing, changes were made to the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan accordingly. By definition, an individual is considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer, Moderna, etc.), or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson).
At a minimum, competition organizers and all persons at USEF-licensed or endorsed competitions are required to follow state and local regulations for face coverings/masks and social distancing. In the absence of state and local regulations, the USEF and the USEA recommend compliance with the CDC guidelines. Competition organizers are able to impose stricter requirements at their discretion.
Competition organizers must communicate to competition staff, competitors, officials and spectators the COVID requirements under which their competition will operate and licensed officials should be aware of that plan.
All persons attending USEF/USEA competitions are responsible for reviewing and complying with the COVID-19 requirements in effect at each competition. This is vital, as requirements may vary between competitions. Anyone who is not fully vaccinated must exercise personal responsibility and wear a face covering/mask wearing and continue to practice social distancing and frequent hand washing. Individuals may choose to wear a face covering/mask even when not required. Anyone choosing to do so, will not be penalized.
The USEF COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan was designed to provide general guidelines for managing incidents in the event a COVID-19 related situation occurs at a US Equestrian Licensed Competition. The COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan can be viewed here.
Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.
With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.