Three rules previously reported by the USEA and discussed through online USEA webinars will take effect on June 1, 2021. Each rule was approved by the USEF Board of Directors during their May 10th meeting. These rule changes focus on the reduction in risk in eventing.
The first rule change recognizes that licensed cross-country course designers by the nature of their training and licensing are qualified to identify dangerous riding. This rule will enable those designers to have the authority to stop a rider on course for dangerous riding.
Changes to the rules are shown below in bold italics.
EV112 Dangerous Riding
4. The Ground Jury, and the Technical Delegate, and the Course Designer, when present solely in his/her role as a course designer, have the authority to stop a rider on the cross-country course for dangerous riding, riding an exhausted horse, excessive pressing of a tired horse, riding an obviously lame horse, excessive use of the whip and/or spurs or riding in an unsafe way.
The additional two rule changes are directly related. In reviewing the incidence of poor riding at competitions, competition data, and other information the USEA views it as important to highlight that poor show jumping performance should result in retirement. British Eventing instituted a similar rule several years ago and this will be an additional measure to lessen risk in the sport and encourage a culture of good horsemanship.
EV153 Faults
4. Faults are penalized in penalty points or by elimination as set out in this section (EV153).
20 or more (show jump) penalties at Training, Modified, Preliminary, Intermediate, or Advanced
Compulsory Retirement enforced at end of show jump round unless competitor retires or is eliminated
(and)
EV150.1 Penalties
g. 20 show jump penalties (150.10)
10 Compulsory Retirement. A competitor incurs 20 or more show jumping penalties at the training level or higher. Enforced at the end of the round unless the competitor retires or is eliminated.
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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.