Nov 26, 2021

What You Need to Know: New Eventing Rules Effective December 1, 2021

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff
USEA/ KTB Creative Group photo.

With the new competition season kicking off officially on December 1, it’s time to brush up on the USEF Rules For Eventing ! There are five new rules and amendments that will take effect at the start of the new season regarding competition approvals, officials, and more. To access the full 2022 USEF Rulebook, click here.

EV 121 Calendar Approval Process and Federation Guidance

An addition to this rule was made regarding eventing competition standards in point two as follows: EVENTING COMPETITION STANDARDS. The Eventing Competition Standards apply to all National levels of Eventing Competitions. Refer to Annex 5 on the Federation Website for the USEF/USEA Eventing Competition Standards.

EV 134 Dressage Rules

A new rule was added to this list that reads as follows: Judges must be given at least a 30-minute lunch break and at least a 10-minute break every 2 hours. A prior agreement should be met between the judge and competition if a judge will be required to officiate longer than 8 hours in one day, or be required to be on the show grounds longer than 10 hours.

EV 169 National Horse Trials and EV 170 National Three-Day Events

A clarification has been made as to which officials are required at Nationally rated horse trials and three-day events for all levels Beginner Novice-Advanced.

EV 171 Ground Jury

In Section 1 of rule EV 171, further clarification was added to dictate that family members of the cross-country course designer or show jumping course designer are not allowed to serve as the Ground Jury at any event.

EV 172 Additional Judges

Clarification was added to indicate that if the cross-country course designer and show jumping course designer are different individuals, that the show jumping course designer may serve as an additional judge if they are licensed to do so.

In addition to the five rules above, the following changes to the rulebook are pending approval by the USEF Board of Directors.

EV 108 Exercising and Warming Up

Placement poles are not permitted at National Horse Trials.

EV 153 Faults

This clarification was added in to solidify that a rider may not request permission to continue on with cross-country after receiving a CR penalty.

Nov 20, 2024 News

In Memoriam: As You Like It (1990-2024)

The USEA is saddened to share the passing of Sara Kozumplik’s five-star partner As You Like It at the age of 34. The gelding died in his sleep at his retirement home at Kozumplik's parents' residence.

Nov 19, 2024 Emerging Athletes U21

Meet the 12 EA21 Young Riders Selected for the 2024-2025 USEA EA21 National Camp

The 2024 USEA Emerging Athletes U21 (EA21) National Camp is just a little over a month away and all over the country, young riders are preparing for their trip to Ocala, Florida, to participate in this year's prestigious week-long academy led by U.S. eventing legend David O'Connor. This year's camp takes place Dec. 31, 2024, through Jan. 4, 2025, and will feature classroom sessions, guest lecturers, and in the saddle work as a group to help strengthen the foundation of each rider selected to participate.

Nov 18, 2024 Young Event Horse

USEA Podcast #374: Celebrating Young Event Horses

Bringing along a young horse is such a special process for everyone involved. The USEA is excited to dedicate an episode to celebrating some of the special young horses in the United States that have risen to the occasion. Joining USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown in this episode are Tommy Greengard, the rider and co-owner of this year's Holekamp/Turner Grant Recipient That's Me Z who represented the U.S. at Le Lion this year, and Kaylawna Smith-Cook, who piloted Bonner Carpenter's Only-Else to the highest national score in the Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse 5-Year-Old Championships.

Nov 17, 2024 Competitions

Cornelia Fletcher Caps Her Postpartum Return to FEI Competition with a Win in CCI4*-L at The Event at TerraNova

Cornelia Fletcher (USA) and Daytona Beach 8 were the only pair to jump double clear in the B&D Builders CCI4*-L at The Event at TerraNova, claiming the win with a final score of 41.4 penalties.

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