USEF is working closely with competition organizers, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and participants to manage the EHV-1 situation in California. This morning the USEF are reminding all members of the biosecurity safeguards which are currently in place to protect horses. Later this afternoon, USEF will publish a full update on the current status based on the latest CDFA assessment of the situation. For ongoing updates, please refer to the California Department of Food and Agriculture and Equine Disease Communication Center websites.
Desert International Horse Park is not allowing new horses on site and an epidemiological investigation is ongoing to determine the links between cases and any further measures that can be taken to protect horses.
USEF would also like to remind all participants all competitions of the importance of following biosecurity requirements and best practices:
• | Avoid animal-to-animal contact |
• | Do not share equipment between horses. IF YOU MUST SHARE, scrub and clean equipment with detergent and dry completely between shared use. |
• | When filling water buckets, DO NOT dip the end of the hose in each bucket. Hold the hose above the water when filling. |
• | Wash/sanitize hands thoroughly before and after direct horse contact |
• | Limit human-horse contact |
• | Check and record temperatures twice daily |
• | Any suspicion of illness in horses, including a temperature over 101.5°F, should be immediately reported to the show office and veterinarian. |
• | Immediately isolate and/or quarantine any horse exhibiting symptoms of illness |
• | DO NOT travel to another competition for 14 days |
• | Because humans can be a means of disease transmission, avoid moving between barns unless absolutely necessary |
USEF has received reports of non-compliance with ordered quarantine and entry requirements at competitions. These reports are under investigation. Substantiated violations will result in penalties.
Comprehensive information on biosecurity protocols can be found here:
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Amanda Walker wasn’t sure what she’d gotten herself into when she went to try Runaway Romeo as a potential sales project in 2018. The gelding was a bit bigger than Walker was looking for and was quite pushy coming out of the stall. When she got on, it didn’t get much better.
For seasoned and novice riders alike, it is always good to revisit the basics. Serving as the foundation for any eventer, the positions used on the cross-country course differ from those in the dressage or show jumping ring. The USEA tuned into five-time Olympian, three-time World Equestrian Games rider, two Pan-American Games rider, and USEA ECP certified coach Karen O'Connor as she walked coaches and students at the USEA ECP Symposium through the basic positions for effective cross-country riding.
The USEF's main phone number and fax number have changed. We wanted to notify you so you continue to get the support you need.
With the recent wrap-up of the 2023 Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Symposium in Ocala, Florida, USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown chats with ECP Faculty Members Jennifer Howlett Rousseau and Robin Walker about all things related to the ECP. From the USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels to the benefits of pursuing certification, selecting the best coach for you, recapping this year's Symposium, and more - this week's USEA podcast is the perfect educational tool for coaches and riders alike!