The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) held its annual Mid-Year Board of Directors meeting on June 19 and 20 in Lexington, Kentucky. During the meeting, the Directors heard updates from around the sport, learned from leading experts, and made several important decisions that directly impact USEF members and their horses.
Dr. Stephanie Bonin is a lifelong equestrian who is a renowned expert in the field of brain injuries and helmet protection. Dr. Bonin’s presentation focused on the history of protective headgear in sport, the current testing standards, and where helmet technology is today.
Dr. Katie Flynn is USEF’s Senior Staff Veterinarian, a role she stepped into earlier this year following a career as an equine staff veterinarian for the California Department of Food and Agriculture and, most recently, was the State Veterinarian for Kentucky. Dr. Flynn presented on her role with USEF, the recent outbreak of vesicular stomatitis (VS) in Southern California, and the importance of continuing biosecurity efforts to prevent its spread.
Finally, the Board acted on a round of rule changes at the Mid-Year meeting. Each change below, unless otherwise noted, will go into effect on Dec. 1, 2023, for the 2024 competition year.
Equine Safety & Wellbeing
• | GR1101.1 (036-22) - Microchipping
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• | GR1215.3 (033-22) – Requiring Adequate Rest for Horses at Competitions
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• | GR1033.5 (023-22) – Number of Stewards, TDs, and/or Certified Schooling Supervisors Required to Officiate
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• | GR1215.5 (045-22) – Barn/Temporary Stabling Identification
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Human Athlete/Participant Safety & Welfare
• | GR848.6 (032-22) – Return to Competition Protocols
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• | GR801.2 (030-22) – Helmet Certification
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Fairness/Level Playing Field
• | GR1304.1 (049-22) – Conflict of Interest Rules for Licensed Officials
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To view all of the rules changes, click here.
Saturday at the 8th annual USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship saw a record number of entries trot down centerline at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina. Riders from eighteen colleges and universities gave it their all in the dressage test before heading into either their show jumping or cross-country phase depending on their division. From Starter up through Intermediate, riders were decked out in team colors and the energy across the facility was electric with cheers.
Talk with any of the coaches or riders of the eight USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) clubs that make up the 12 IEL teams competing in the inaugural USEA Interscholastic Eventing Championship this weekend and one theme has been constant across the board—camaraderie.
The spirit of eventing was strong during the opening ceremonies on Friday afternoon at the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Eventing Championships. Just shy of 200 Intercollegiate and Interscholastic competitors lined up in the main arena at this year's host venue, Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, while chanting fight songs, waving team flags, donning mascot costumes, and more, all in celebration of this year's championships officially getting under way.
The "happiest horse trial on Earth" is set to kick off tomorrow, Friday, May 3, at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, where 18 colleges and universities and eight Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) Clubs will parade their teams through the main arena to mark the official start of the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships!