E-Newsletter, Fall 2010
2010 E-Newsletter Fall Issue!
Welcome to the Fall issue of the 2010 e-newsletter!
Licensed Officials Renewals
The deadline for inclusion in the 2011 Roster of Licensed Officials has been extended to November 30th, 2010. If you want to have your name included in the roster this year, please fax, mail or complete your renewal online by this date.
The 2011 hardcopy Rulebook is now shipping to all who have completed their renewal. Please allow 3-6 weeks for delivery.
Changes Affecting Saddlebred, Hackney , and Roadster Divisions of USEF Licensed Competitions in 2011
Lexington, KY. A Presidential Modification to the ratings chart specific to Saddlebred, Hackney, and Roadster Divisions (see USEF GR313, page GR38) has been granted for the 2011 competition year. The USEF Saddlebred, Hackney, and Roadster Committees requested that all three divisions be run as “A” Rated for the 2011 USEF Licensed Competition year; regardless of the number of classes or prize money offered. This modification will necessitate compliance with all other rules related to “A” rating (USEF License Fees will not be affected by this modification). This request was made in an effort to simplify the process for USEF Licensed Competitions holding these divisions and is consistent with proposed rule changes being developed by the three USEF Committees to be considered at the 2011 USEF Annual Meeting. No other division rules are affected by the Presidential Modification.
Contact: Lori Nelson, Assistant Executive Director, National Affiliates
Social Media Networks
In today’s atmosphere of social media networks, it is hard to not be involved at some level. Even our local garden store includes a line at the bottom of their print ads asking people to friend the store on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Many good communications are shared through these venues but also many hurtful actions are observed. It is not at all uncommon to read something in paper or hear on the news that employees have been fired for improper social networking, whether done on the job or on the employee’s own time. So, where does social media networking fit in for our licensed officials?
It is our hope that each licensed official read and consider the ethics statement printed on the annual renewal form. The statement reads as follows:
As a licensed official of the United States Equestrian Federation, I will conduct my duties with the highest level of integrity. My primary concern is the welfare of the horse while giving full attention to exhibitors and respect to my colleagues.
• I will endeavor to have complete and accurate knowledge of all rules governing the competition.
• I will exercise my responsibilities in a positive and professional manner, refraining from conducting business and socializing with exhibitors during the event.
• I will officiate from a positive perspective in word and deed and complete my duties with consistency and without bias.
• My personal behavior will reflect my integrity, character and respect for the sport and the United States Equestrian Federation.
While the ethics statement does not specifically address social media networking, the last part of the second sentence - “… and respect to my colleagues.” along with the last bullet point statement regarding personal behavior reflecting integrity, character, and respect for the sport could very easily encompass Facebook, Twitter, and similar avenues of social networking.
The Federation has received very few complaints of inappropriate postings by our officials on Facebook and we see no reason why this trend towards responsible postings on these sites cannot continue. It would be unfortunate indeed, if an official jeopardized his license by speaking negatively about another official’s placings or posted inappropriate photos or comments. Don’t allow yourself to be pulled into online discussions that could be damaging to yourself or to others. Help each other maintain a high standard of behavior on these sites. We will all be the better for it, while still taking advantage of the positive aspects of various social media networks.
Contact: Mary Smith, Director of Licensed Officials
Can ebooks be a tool for our licensed officials?
I think we can all agree that eBooks such as the Kindle and Nook are increasing in popularity. Add in the iPad and features on some phones that can read documents and we see opportunities for accessing the USEF rule book and other documents. The majority of ebooks support PDF documents so it is relatively easy to download individual chapters of the rule book to the device. The screens are smaller than the hard copy version but since type size can be adjusted, it is not too difficult to search for a specific topic within a chapter. We are working towards giving our members the ability to download the entire rule book at one time and possibly even have automatic updates as are already available when you use the USB drive.
PDF files will be the format of choice for now as they are compatible with virtually all ebook devices. If you are already utilizing an ebook to access the rule book, would you please share your experiences with us? We are particularly interested in knowing which ebook devices are most prevalent so that we can determine which format would be the best in the future – MOBI or ePub. (MOBI works on Kindle, ePub does not). Also, any suggestions you have about using the rule book on an ebook would be useful to us and to others who are considering investing in an ebook.
To facilitate the sharing of responses, we have set up a group in the Licensed Officials Portal for you to post your comments and ideas. After you log into the member only area (USEF LOGIN), scroll down the page until you find the Licensed Officials Portal. Open it, then choose ‘Forums’, then ‘Discussion Categories’, ‘General Rules’, ‘Chapter 10’, ‘Using eBooks’.
Thank you for sharing your comments and ideas about utilizing an ebook as a tool for licensed officials.
Contact: Mary Smith, Director of Licensed Officials
Morgan Clarification
MO101 Eligibility.
4. In classes for Maiden, Novice or Limit riders, ribbons won in any saddle class of any Division or Section shall count in reckoning the status as a rider. In classes for Maiden, Novice or Limit drivers, ribbons won in any driving class of any Division or Section shall count in reckoning the status as a driver.
There appears to have been some confusion as to the interpretation of the restricted status of riders/drivers. MO101.4 states that regardless of the Division or Section, ribbons do count in reckoning the status of the rider or driver. In other words, ribbons won in any under saddle class, Park, Classic Pleasure, Walk-Trot, Western Pleasure, Equitation, Trail, etc. accumulate. As an example, blue ribbons won in English Pleasure, Walk-Trot and Trail equal 3 and the individual is therefore no longer eligible to be classified as a Novice Rider. Similarly, the same applies to drivers. (The only exception is that there is no crossover of ribbons accumulated between riders and drivers.) For further information, contact Joyce Hamblin, Director, National Breed/Disciplines Affiliates (859) 225-6939 or jhamblin@usef.org
Competitions
Attention Saddlebred Competition Managers
Please be advised that a Presidential Modification in the application of GR313 has been granted for the 2010 competition year. The Presidential Modification will allow a competition to receive an “A” rating in the Saddlebred Park section by holding a minimum of four classes and offering a minimum of $500 in prize money and a “B” rating by holding a minimum of two classes and offering a minimum of $200 in prize money.
If you have any questions regarding this presidential modification please contact the Competition Services Department at (859) 258-2472.
New Location to check the American Road Horse and Pony Association Membership
The American Road Horse and Pony Association (ARHPA) has a website on which secretaries can verify membership for the Roadster division. Please visit www.roadhorses.com and click on the ARHPA Members tab to view a listing of their current members.
As of April 1, 2010, the ARHPA member listing on the Authorized User Account of the USEF website will be removed and secretaries will be directed to the ARHPA website. For questions regarding ARHPA membership, please contact ARHPA Secretary, Pat Cropper at (606) 564-3766 or patcropper@yahoo.com.
Officials
What’s new for Licensed Officials in 2011?
A synopsis of the more pertinent rule changes affecting licensed officials for 2011 has been prepared for this newsletter. To view the actual wording of the rule changes, please refer to the changes posted on the Federation’s website.
FEI fee
Starting with the 2011 licensed officials’ renewals, each FEI official will pay a yearly license renewal fee of $35. Unlike the national license renewal fee of $35 per license, the FEI fee will cover all FEI licenses held by the individual. As an example, an FEI Event Veterinarian in four disciplines will pay one $35 fee as will an FEI judge in one discipline.
Over the past eight to ten years our office has increased the services to our FEI officials from what was basically very little more than a hard copy file to tracking origin dates of licenses, officiating history in the US and abroad (when provided to us), and course attendance history in our database. We hope that you understand and appreciate the reasons behind the necessity of a fee to fund these ever increasing services.
During 2011, the Licensed Officials Committee will be developing a program by which a portion of the funds received from this FEI fee will be dedicated to help up-and-coming officials obtain the experience they need to advance to FEI status. We welcome your input on the procedures to identify these individuals and comments about what forms of assistance are most needed.
Recorded Judges
Effective December 1, 2010, special cards will no longer be necessary for ‘r’ Arabian, Friesian, and Morgan judges to officiate alone at “A” rated competitions.
Arabian Judges
Starting with the 2011 competition year, judging the Arabian division at an Equine Canada/Arabian Horse Association approved competition will be considered a suitable substitute to maintain status as a USEF Arabian judge. Written verification must be submitted and the competition must have been judged during the same three-year time period as the officiating requirement. Example: to be eligible to renew for 2012, an Arabian judge must have officiated the Arabian division at a minimum of one USEF licensed competition during the three-year period of 2009 - 2011. If the judge officiated an Arabian division at an EC/AHA competition in 2009, 2010, or 2011, written verification to substantiate could be submitted and this information would then fulfill the officiating requirements for the 2012 renewal. Verification can be in the form of the EC stewards report or other similar documentation.
Carriage Pleasure Driving Judges
Officiating at an ADS recognized Pleasure Competition with 15 or more classes can be counted towards maintaining status as a Federation Carriage Pleasure Driving Judge. In addition, ADS recognized Pleasure Driving competitions can be counted towards promotion. Each of these new rules goes into effect December 1, 2010 with written verification required. Verification can be in the form of the ADS stewards report or other similar documentation.
Dressage Judges
FEI licensed Dressage judges who attend an FEI judges clinic (refresher seminar or course for promotion) will be required to attend a Federation Dressage judge’s clinic only once every five years instead of every three years. Permission must be granted by the NF before you can attend a foreign FEI course; contact the Licensed Officials Department.
Stewards and Technical Delegates
A rule change deferred in January 2010 to the USEF summer Board meeting was approved August 2nd, effective December 1, 2010 that will increase the number of competitions and consecutive years a steward can officiate from two to three. This change is for stewards only, not technical delegates.
There was also a change approved for Dressage Technical Delegates that will allow multiple, consecutive day Dressage Competitions held within a six-day period to be counted as one competition. They must be run by the same governing body, Board of Directors or Licensee.
There are additional changes to Chapter 10 rules which may be viewed in the 2011 Rulebook. The 2011 Rulebook will be available on the Federation’s website in October - watch for a notice in Week in Review.
Contact: Mary Smith, Director of Licensed Officials
Accident/Injury Forms
Both the 2011 Accident/Injury Report Form and the Eventing Cross-Country Fall Report Form have been revised, and are now available on the USEF website! The new version of the Eventing Cross-Country Fall Report Form replaces the old “Eventing Accident Details” form, which used to have a separate form for Equine and Rider falls, but is now combined into a single form.
Both forms can be downloaded at www.usef.org under the Licensed Officials or Competitions pages of the “Forms and Pubs” searches both as a printable form and as a fill-in PDF file. The new Accident/Injury forms will be available soon in the hard-copy, triplicate version as well.
If you have any questions about the Accident/Injury Report Form or the Eventing Cross-Country Fall Report Form, please contact Beth Taylor at (859) 225-6981 or btaylor@usef.org.
What makes a good learner judge or apprentice judge/steward/technical delegate?
USEF approves approximately 300 learner judge cards each year, in addition to there being apprentices in a number of programs. We are fortunate to have many competition managers who are willing to have learner judges and apprentices participate in these functions at their licensed competitions. Often, it causes more work for the competition to have a learner judge or apprentice, and when the experience is positive, they are usually happy to provide the opportunity. Competition managers are less likely to approve someone else to serve as a learner judge or apprentice in the future when they have had a negative experience with a learner judge or apprentice.
So, what can our learner judges/apprentices do to make sure their time at the competition is looked upon as being positive by the competition manager?
• Ask for permission from all judges well in advance (recommended 4-6 weeks), giving the manager sufficient time to make a decision and to submit any paperwork to the Federation, as is required for Learner Judges.
• Arrive early, introduce yourself to the manager and secretary – remember they are doing you a favor by allowing you to be there.
• Dress appropriately and be respectful of any attire traditions pertaining to the particular breed/discipline.
• Bring your own judges cards and/or score sheets – do NOT expect the competition staff to provide you with anything except the opportunity to learner judge. Also, bring any other essentials needed to perform your functions as a learner judge/apprentice, including a current rule book.
• Be prepared to purchase your own meals and beverages, even if you are invited to have meals with the other officials.
• Present your best side in a professional manner – to the judge(s) you accompany, the competition manager and staff, exhibitors, ring personnel, etc. This is a great opportunity to establish networking contacts for future employment opportunities should you become licensed.
• Please follow the same rules that apply to judges in the use of cell phones, conversing and/or fraternizing with exhibitors.
• Remember that everything you hear and/or discuss while with the licensed official(s) is confidential and not to be repeated. A learner judge/apprentice is expected to maintain this confidentiality.
• Be aware of how your verbal comments and body language may be interpreted by exhibitors, officials, and spectators. Think about how you want them to perceive you and then have your actions reflect that goal.
• If the requirements of your apprentice work necessitate having copies of ride sheets, invest in and bring a small copier and your own paper if you are not using carbon paper. The competition secretary has neither the time nor the responsibility to make copies for you.
• Provide the evaluation form and a stamped/addressed to USEF envelope to the official(s) with whom you are working.
• If you are attending as a Dressage judge apprentice one day, offer to scribe on another day. Do this 4-6 weeks in advance. Arrange your schedule so that all apprentice work is completed prior to scribing.
• Always send thank you notes after the competition, to the officials you accompanied as well as to the competition manager.
It is vitally important to the Federation that each and every learner judge/apprentice conducts himself in a professional manner while at a licensed competition. Opportunities for others should not be lost due to inappropriate behavior on the part of anyone who has been approved to learner judge or who is participating in a training program requiring apprentice work. Please do YOUR part!
The Federation appreciates and acknowledges the critically important role our licensed officials fulfill in the advancement of our Sport and welcomes those who are capable and willing to work towards status as licensed officials.
Contact: Mary Smith, Director of Licensed Officials
Staff Directory
Competition Licensing, Evaluation & Safety Department
Leigh Anne Claywell, Director, lclaywell@usef.org (859)225-6959
Diana Campbell, Assistant Director, dcampbell@usef.org (859)225-6914
Becky Francis, Competition Reports Analyst, bfrancis@usef.org (859)225-6980
Rachael Zilboorg, Competition Evaluation Analyst, rzilboorg@usef.org (859)225-2047
Beth Ann Taylor, Competition Safety & Federation Representative Coordinator, btaylor@usef.org (859)225-6981
Licensed Officials Department
Mary Smith, Director, msmith@usef.org (859)225-6948
Diane Shawback, Assistant Director, Licensing, dshawback@usef.org (859)225-6971
Jan McKinney, Continuing Education Coordinator, jmckinney@usef.org (859)225-6988
Abigail Cook, Project Development Coordinator, acook@usef.org (859)225-2057
Education Department
Chuck Walker, Director, cwalker@usef.org (859)225-6970
Amanda Bassett, Assistant Director, abassett@usef.org (859)225-2044
Regulation Department
Emily Patrick, Director, epatrick@usef.org (859)225-6956
Julie Bernier, Assistant Director, jbernier@usef.org (859)225-6953
Adrienne Dumke, Regulation Representative, adumke@usef.org (859)225-2048
Terri Grothpietz, Regulation Representative, tgrothpietz@usef.org (859)225-6917
Kristen Brett, Regulation Representative, kbrett@usef.org (859)225-6945
Weekend Emergency Hotline
(859) 312-5186
Drugs and Medications Hotline
(800) 633-2472