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US Equestrian Approves COVID-19 Related Rule Modifications for 2020

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has approved modifications to USEF rules in accordance with a resolution approved by the Board of Directors to address issues related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. A summary of these modifications is listed below and the full content of each modification can be viewed on the USEF website by clicking here. Additional rule modifications are currently under review and will be published soon.

Modifications to USEF Rules

The modifications listed below are effective immediately and remain in effect for the remainder of the 2020 competition year.

USEF Entry Blank – GR908.5, GR908.6 and GR916

All breeds and disciplines

Removed language regarding the USEF Release, Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Indemnification which is no longer relevant due to the existence of a new USEF Release, Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Indemnification.

Horse Entry Standard – HJ101, HJ104, HJ109, HJ110, HJ111, HJ112 and HJ113

Hunter & H/J Licensed Competitions

The Horse Entry Standard for Premier, National, Two-Day Restricted Junior Amateur, Regional I and Regional II hunter rated competitions is waived. Competitions will NOT be reclassified to a lower rating based on the Horse Entry Standard.

Hunter Prize Money – HJ109.7c

Hunter & H/J Licensed Competitions

Premier and National hunter rated competitions must continue to offer a minimum of $24,000 at Premier and $5,000 at National hunter rated competitions in the rated hunter sections. However, at Premier hunter rated competitions, if sections are canceled or entries are insufficient to award all prize money, competitions will NOT be required to pool and redistribute additional money not awarded to the champions and the reserve champions of the remaining “A” rated hunter sections. These competitions will NOT be reclassified to a lower rating based on the amount of hunter prize money paid.

Combining and Dividing of Sections or Classes – HU155, HU158, HU162.1 and HU162.5

Hunter & H/J Licensed Competitions

Adds language providing guidance on combining and dividing of sections or classes.

Paramedics – HJ105.1h

Hunter & H/J Licensed Competitions

If the services of a Paramedic cannot be secured for a Premier hunter rated competition, an EMT may be substituted.

Officiating Limitations for Stewards and Technical Delegates – GR1034

All breeds and disciplines

The limitations of GR 1034.4, GR 1034.5 and GR 1034.6 are waived. These rules limited the number of times a steward or technical delegate could officiate in a specific area or at a specific competition within a certain period of time.

Officiating Limitations for Judges – GR1038.4, GR1038.5 and GR1038.6

All breeds and disciplines

The limitations of GR 1038.4, GR 1038.5 and GR 1038.6 are waived. These rules limited the number of times a judge could officiate in a specific area or specific competition within a certain period of time.

Braiding – HU147, HU148, SP111, HK116 and HK143

Hackney, Hunter and Shetland

Equipment Inspections – PF127, WD120, WD124 and WD129

Paso Fino and Western Dressage

*Presidential Modifications involving equipment inspections in other breeds and disciplines are forthcoming and will be published soon

Additional Information

Timelines and Deadlines

Waivers to application submission dates and process timelines under the following rules shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Mileage Exemption Fee Waiver

The mileage exemption fee has not been waived. However, if a provisional denial is reviewed again at a later date, there is no additional mileage exemption fee.

Competition Cancellation Fee

The competition cancellation fee is waived for the remainder of the 2020 competition year.

If you have any questions regarding this modification to USEF rules, please contact Katlynn Sacco at ksacco@usef.org.