United States Eventing Association

Rule Change Open Forum Recap from 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

Seattle, Wash.—Dec. 14—With longtime Rule Change Open Forum moderator Malcolm Hook unable to attend this year’s USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, Alison Lloyd with the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) took over the forum on Saturday.

In comparison to past years, most likely due to the lower number of eventing-specific rule changes discussed, the atmosphere in the well-attended room was quite calm with just a few questions throughout the presentation.

USEF Subscriber and Active members have the opportunity to submit their commentary on the all RCPs online via your My USEF dashboard. The open comment period opened on Nov. 15, 2024, and will close on Jan. 9, 2025.

"It is important that you do this process," shared Lloyd. "All of the proponents will review all submitted commentary and your feedback is important to us."

The 2025 rulebook went into effect on Dec. 1, 2024 and can be found here.

To view a full list of RCPs, click here.

Read on for some of the key RCPs discussed today:

Eventing-specific FEI Rule Changes for 2025

EV122 Cross-Country Phase Definition of Faults

This rule change would align with the FEI rule regarding jumping a frangible obstacle that’s been activated and was effective Jan. 1, 2024. It states: “Reattempting an activated frangible Obstacle not restored to its original condition will result in Elimination.” It would go into effect on April 1, 2025.

EV145 Cross-Country Phase Obstacles

This RCP would align with FEI rules regarding the number of jumping efforts. It would help align course specifications for events that run national and FEI divisions. It would also go into effect on April 1, 2025.

It specifies that for all levels, a maximum of two additional jumping efforts may be used if steps and ditches don’t count under certain conditions. For example, two steps are part of a combination or related obstacle would only count as one effort. A sunken road, with a fence before, a step down, a step up, and a fence after would traditionally be counted as four efforts, but under the change would be counted as three.

Another example would be three steps down which would count as two efforts, and a ditch as part of a combination, such as a coffin, would not count as an effort.

General Regulation Extraordinary Rule Changes for 2025

These are just a few of the RCPs which, if passed, would go into effect April 1, 2025.

GR801 Exhibitor Safety Equipment

A change to this rule would allow riders to use biomechanic sensors for horses and riders to promote safety and wellness.

A Technical Delegate in the audience did mention it would be helpful for a more thorough definition as to what is accepted as a biometric sensor be outlined for clarification purposes.

GR839 Prohibited Practices and Equipment

A change to this rule will help streamline the Rulebook and combine some existing prohibited practices in a single rule while expanding the list to include obscuring the visibility of horses stabled on competition grounds, excessive use of draw reins, and augmented nosebands.

GR843 Blood

This important horse welfare rule lays out possible grounds for elimination when blood is found on a horse. Any horse with blood on its flank or in its mouth must be eliminated, with the exception being a minor case where the horse appears to have bitten its tongue or lip. The steward or technical delegate may authorize wiping or rinsing of the mouth to allow the horse to continue. Blood discovered elsewhere will be at the discretion of officials. Blood caused by tack or equipment must result in elimination.

Lloyd noted that there was a lot of discussion regarding athlete-induced blood versus accidental blood and that due to the nature of our sport, all blood should be reviewed on a case-by-case bases so that not all instances of accidental blood are automatically eliminated. They are still discussing further clarification for this rule at this time.

2026 Proposed Rule Changes

If passed, these RCPs would be effective for the 2026 competition season as of Dec. 1, 2025.

There were three general RCPs and one eventing-specific change for 2026. EV104.8 Technical Elimination would add clarity to a horse’s performance record. It says that an elimination may be recorded as a technical elimination if it is the fault of an athlete error, not a horse’s performance.

There are four additional extraordinary GR RCPs regarding shockwave therapy, veterinary substances, therapeutic administration of prohibited substances, and concussion/return to play protocol, and there were three extraordinary eventing-specific RCPs.

EV138.2 aims to align return to play requirements after a suspected head injury as quickly as possible to ensure participants are working with medical providers to gain proper clearance to participate. USEF wants athletes to be evaluated by their medical provider against the current 6th International Concussion in Sport Consensus Statement and the Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (SCOAT 6) from June 2023. The USEF Medical Advisory Group reviewed the requirements for return to competition and have recommended that all participants who sustain or are suspected of a concussion at a USEF licensed or endorsed competition, work directly with their medical provider to follow a staged (or graded) return to equestrian sport protocol.

EV112 would change the language of the rule regarding whips. It would modernize the language of the rule but would not change the permitted use of a whip in competition.

EV145 proposes a change to the language that would add additional guidance regarding the application of the frangible devices but does not alter the way in which it has been and should be applied.

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About the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

The USEA Annual Meeting & 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 other eventing enthusiasts. The USEA organizes multiple seminars in addition to committee meetings, open forums, and tons of fun! The 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention will take place in Seattle, Washington, on Dec. 12—15. Click here to learn more about the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention.

The USEA would like to thank the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention Sponsors: Adequan, ARMA, Bates Saddles, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Gallops Saddlery, Horse & Country, Kerrits, Mrs. Pastures Cookies for Horses, Nunn Finer, Nutrena, Parker Equine Insurance, PulseVet Shock Wave, Rebecca Farm, RevitaVet, Ride iQ, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartPak, Standlee, and World Equestrian Brands.