Jun 01, 2021

Rule Refresher: Rule Changes Taking Effect June 1st

USEA/Kim Beaudoin Photo

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.

Want to catch up on past rule refreshers? Click here.

Mar 25, 2023 Education

Pressure Proof with Daniel Stewart: Saying is Believing

This month we’re going to begin a three-part series on how to create positive riding experiences by making sure the words you say to yourself and the thoughts you think to yourself are positive. Referred to as self-talk, internal dialogue, or brain babble; the words you say to yourself can have a huge impact on your performance. In fact, your thoughts and voice are actually considered behaviors, and just like how positive physical behaviors (i.e. a balanced transition) can create success, your verbal behaviors can also accomplish the very same thing. So let's spend the next few months talking about how to talk to yourself!

Mar 24, 2023 Profile

Keane’s First FEI Win Propels the Veterinarian to Capital Square USEA Adult Amateur of the Year Title

Being spontaneous has paid off for Kevin Keane and Sportsfield Candy. “I bought him on a Wednesday and showed him on a Thursday,” Keane recalls about his first event with his Irish Sport Horse gelding, then 9 years old, at Plantation Field Horse Trials (Unionville, Pennsylvania) in September 2016. “I owned him for part of a day, and the next morning I showed up at a CCI and jogged him up for a two-star, and we went clean and clean and clean.”

Mar 23, 2023 Competitions

CDCTA Spring Horse Trials Waives Late Entry Fee Through Friday, March 24

THANK YOU to everyone who has already entered the USEF/USEA Recognized CDCTA Spring Horse Trials scheduled for Sunday, April 9 in Berryville, VA. We will continue to take late entries through Friday, March 24 using USEA’s Xentry system. If you still want to come compete, please enter! The late fee has been waived through Friday, March 24.

Mar 23, 2023

USEF Announces the Appointment of Hallye Griffin as Director of FEI Sport

The U.S. Equestrian Federation announces the appointment of long-term US Equestrian employee Hallye Griffin as Director of FEI Sport. Griffin will assume the duties of former Director of FEI/High-Performance Sport, Graeme Thom, who has chosen to step away from his role to attend to personal matters.

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