E-Newsletter, May 2008
2008 E-Newsletter May Issue!
Welcome to the second issue of the 2008 e-newsletter! Replacing the old print Newsletter for Competitions and Officials, this format will allow us to more rapidly distribute information to you, our membership. Use the navigational buttons to the left to browse through the different sections of the newsletter. You will find an email link to the author at the bottom of each article if you wish to contact them to ask for more information.
Suspended Individuals on Competition Grounds
No suspended person will be permitted on competition grounds from the time participants are admitted on the competition grounds until their departure. For example, suspended individuals may not be on competition grounds during schooling or other such days prior to the start of the competition for any purpose, including such things as: coaching riders, training or schooling horses or trailering horses on or off competition grounds.
Contact: Lori Nelson, Director of Regulations
Arabian Scoring System – Championship Classes
The USEF Arabian Committee met recently and issued the following clarification for non-regional and non-national championship classes – effective immediately:
All horses competing for Champion or Reserve Champion in the Arabian or Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian Breeding/Gelding In-Hand Classes at Class A, B, C and Local competition Championships shall return to the ring for comparative adjudication.
The Arabian Scoring System document on the Arabian Horse Association website will be updated to reflect this clarification as well as the USEF Arabian Guidelines publication on the USEF website.
Please be aware: this clarification supersedes any previous communications regarding the in-hand/halter championship classes.
Contact: Carrie Mortensen, Director of Breeds and Western Disciplines
Dressage Training Programs
Dressage Judges’ Training programs for each level and license, including Dressage Sport Horse Breeding judge, are limited to 10 applicants. Applications to host a training program must be received at least 10 months in advance of the proposed program and include a budget. Application information and guidelines for organizers are both available from Mary Smith in the USEF Licensed Officials Department.
The Licensed Officials Department is working with the Dressage Committee to possibly host an “S” Dressage Judges Training Program in March 2009, with final testing tentatively scheduled for 2010. There are currently six (6) people approved and waiting to take a 2009/2010 program. Two Licensed Officials Committee meetings will be held before this proposed course would begin – August 2008 and January 2009 meeting dates. An “R” judge who is eligible to apply for the “S” judges training program must submit the application by June 9th for the August 2008 meeting or by October 13th for the January 2009 meeting.
Contact: Mary Smith, Director of Licensed Officials
Rule Changes Approved by the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee met on 2/19/08, 3/17/08, 4/21/08 and 5/19/08 and approved new rules going into effect during the 2008 competition year and beyond. A compilation of the rule changes approved at each meeting that will go into effect during the 2008 competition year can be found on our website in PDF format.
Rule Changes Approved by the Executive Committee on 2/19/08
Rule Changes Approved by the Executive Committee on 3/17/08
Rule Changes Approved by the Executive Committee on 4/21/08
Rule Changes Approved by the Executive Committee on 5/19/08
For Mac Users:To manually update the rulebook you can download rulebook.tgz (Stuff It version) from our website (www.usef.org/documents/Rulebook/2008/rulebook.tgz). Extract the files and copy them into the rulebook folder on the USB drive.
You can also get to the rulebook files by going to www.usef.org, clicking on Rules & Governance, Rule Book, and clicking on 2008 USEF Rulebook (Tar-gzip file) for macs under the heading Downloads for the Rule Book.
Contact: Abigail Cook, Legislative Coordinator
New Online Forms:
New to the Authorized User’s Area (https://www.usef.org/auapage.aspx) is the Online Forms. Located at the bottom of the Authorized User’s homepage, this page is being developed to allow members to submit forms online that would have otherwise been faxed or mailed into the Federation office.
For Competitions – Competition Managers are able to submit Guest and Special Card applications. The online procedure allows the Competition Manager to apply and pay for the cards online as well as receive verification that the card has been submitted to the Federation office.
For Licensed Officials – Officials and those applying for licenses are able to register to attend upcoming clinics. The online form allows you to sign up for several clinics at once (if available) and pay one fee. This option is also currently available by going to the Continuing Education Calendar at https://www.usef.org/contentPage2.aspx?id=contedu.
These are the first of many forms we hope to make available for online submission.
Contact: Diane Shawback, Assistant Director of Licensing
Federation Member Reports and Judges Evaluation Forms
As of January 13, 2008, there has been a change instituted for Federation Member Reports and Judges Evaluation forms to be publicly displayed and available for Federation members during the entire competition. The forms have always been available but were not necessarily publicly displayed. (Effective Immediately, Chapter 10, GR 1032.3 and Chapter 12, GR 1210.18.)
To enable members to acquire the forms, announcements pertaining to the available forms are to be made via the competition’s public address system at least once each session.
Contact: Karen Homer-Brown, Managing Director, National Affiliates
Arabian Halter Ring Procedure Clarification
The USEF Arabian Committee has determined that the use of a controlled paddock in accordance with AR107 may be used with the In the Ring Class Procedure at the discretion of show management. The controlled paddock is required for use with the Exit the Ring Class Procedure, and in both situations is defined as “an area designated by show management outside of the competition ring for Breeding/Gelding In-Hand classes.” The USEF Steward and/or the Show Commission shall supervise this area. It is recommended that Arabian shows that will be holding Breeding/Gelding In-Hand classes list the type of class procedure that will be used, and if the In the Ring Class Procedure is used, if there will be a controlled paddock.
Contact: Carrie Mortensen, Director of Breeds & Western Disciplines
Attention USEF Members
The following confidential evaluation forms are available for your use:
• Competition Evaluation Form
• Competition Footing Evaluation Form
• Member’s Confidential Evaluation of Licensed Officials
• Eyewitness Report of Act of Alleged Abuse
• Official Protest Form
If you wish to receive one of these forms, please pick one up at the show office or contact the Steward. They are also available to download from the USEF website, www.usef.org. Thank you for your continued support of equestrian sport as we strive to promote fair competition and assure the welfare of the horse and rider.
Contact: Karen Homer-Brown, Managing Director, National Affiliates
FEI Bulletin
With reference to the maximum weight allowed for a horse’s boot (500g front or hind), as established under Art. 257.2.3 of the Jumping Rules, NFs are asked to inform their Chief Stewards that it is their responsibility to check the weight of horses’ boots. Should a doubt arise regarding the weight of a boot during the boot/bandage control, the boot must be weighed by the Chief Steward. The Chief Steward may also carry out random checks at any time during the event. NFs are also requested to inform their Organising Committees that a scale must be available for this purpose.
Article 257 SADDLERY
2. Anywhere within the grounds of the event (restricted area) under control of the OC:
2.3 The maximum weight allowed for a horse’s boot, front or hind, is 500g. Failure to comply with this paragraph will incur disqualification (Art. 241.2.9).
Contact: Jennifer Haydon, Director, Show Jumping National Programs
Competitions
New ARHPA Membership Rule
Please be advised that as of 4/1/08, any owner, rider, driver, or trainer of horses or ponies participating at Federation licensed competitions in the Roadster Division must be current members in good standing with the American Road Horse and Pony Association and provide an original or copy of such card prior to competing. Lessees are considered owners in connection with this membership requirement. In the event of an entry under multiple ownership, only one member need be a member of the ARHPA. See RD101.2.
In order to assist competition management with the implementation of this rule, USEF has posted the ARHPA membership listing on the USEF web site. You may locate the most recent listing by going to www.usef.org and signing into your authorized user account (or AUA). This document will be made available under the “Secretaries” section. Only those authorized with “secretary” status will be able to view this report. Be sure to verify when the membership listing was last updated as this may affect some exhibitors. The report will be updated as the information is provided to the Federation from the ARHPA.
In addition, should you need to provide ARHPA membership forms to your exhibitors, feel free to download the current membership form from the USEF web site. To locate the 2008 form, go to www.usef.org, then Breeds & Disciplines, then Disciplines, then Roadster, then select 2008 ARHPA Membership Application.
Memberships and fees should be mailed directly to ARHPA if taken at the competition. Any questions regarding the membership form, fees, services, or current members should be directed to the ARHPA at (606) 564-3766 or horsepony2004@yahoo.com.
Contact: Carrie Mortensen, Director of Breeds & Western Disciplines
Attention Competition Management!
Show results have indicated that many horses and ponies are accumulating bad points due to lack of a measurement card. This is a reminder to please verify all measurement cards for horses and ponies competing in classes that require them, which may include any division in which height is a qualifying factor. Hunter Pony, Children’s Hunter Pony, Pony Jumper, Shetland, Welsh, Junior Hunter, Hackney, Roadster, Saddlebred Pony, Dressage Pony and Combined Driving Pony divisions require measurement cards. When verifying a measurement card, please make sure it is current and not an expired temporary card from a previous year. The measurement card, valid measurement form, electronic verification from the Federation Office and verification from the owner’s online AUA account are acceptable as proof of a measurement card. Please contact Melissa Lawson at USEF if there are any questions or concerns.
Contact: Melissa Lawson, Horse Measurement Specialist
Foreign Riders Need Non-Member Amateur Card
Please note that any foreign rider who competes in Amateur classes must obtain a Non-Member Amateur card (and pay the $30 fee) through USEF. Exception: Equine Canada members do have to apply for the Non-Member Amateur card but they DON’T have to pay the $30 fee. The Affidavit form now contains the area where the Non-Member Amateur Cards can be signed for and sent to USEF. INDIVIDUALS MUST SIGN THE AMATEUR BOX FOR THE CARD TO BE EFFECTIVE. If you have any questions about this requirement, please contact Lori Nelson at (859) 225-6957.
Contact: Lori Nelson, Director of Regulations
Officials
Licensed Officials Portal!
Announcing the launch of an exiting new feature of the USEF website specifically for licensed officials: the USEF Licensed Officials Portal. Contained inside the Authorized Users Area, licensed officials can use their online username and password to sign into an entirely new section of the site. Inside the LO Portal, you will find access to detailed discussion forums for hot topics pertaining to licensed officials, a searchable FAQ section, the ability to run detailed reports, download forms, access a calendar of events, and much more. We eventually hope to have educational modules available online for continuing education purposes, and features will continue to expand as we receive feedback from our users.
This section is only available to licensed officials, and will be moderated by USEF staff. Use your regular user name and password, and click the sign-in link from the bottom right corner of our homepage, www.usef.org. Sign-in as you normally do and look for the Licensed Officials Portal link, underneath the heading Licensed Officials Reports. If you have difficulties logging in, please contact a member of USEF staff.
Contact: Abigail Cook, Legislative Coordinator
Warning Card Form
Although there were some changes made to the warning card rule effective 4/1/08, we ask that officials continue to use the card that was used last year and at the beginning of this year. The biggest difference in the rule since 4/1/08 is that any competition official can file a card and that you only have to confer (rather than have them sign) with another official. Therefore, you can include the “conferring” official in the “acknowledging” official spot on the card for 2008. We will have a new form available for 2009. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Lori Nelson at (859) 225-6957.
Contact: Lori Nelson, Director of Regulations
Hunter Course Designer Licensing forms:
The Grandfathering requirements and licensing application forms for the new Hunter Course Designer license are now available online or by contacting the Licensed Officials Department. The forms will be emailed or mailed to those who have met the Hunter Course Design officiating requirements per Federation records.
The Grandfather rules for the Hunter Course Designer license are in effect until 12/1/2009 and are as follows:
To be eligible for recorded (r) status:
1. Candidates must meet one of the following requirements :
a. Hold an “r” Jumper Course Designers License with either USEF or Equine Canada.
b. Served as Official Hunter Course Designer at a minimum of three “A” or one “AA” competitions within the previous two years. Officiating history will be verified through Stewards reports.
2. All Applicants for “r” status must have attended a USEF Hunter Course Design Clinic.
To be eligible for Registered (R) status:
1. Candidate must meet two of the following requirements:
a. Served as Official Hunter Course Designer at a minimum of three “AA” Hunter competitions or five “A” competitions within the previous two years.
b. Hold an “r” or “R” USEF or EC Jumper Course Designers License and served as the Official Hunter Course Designer at three “A” or “AA” competitions within previous two years.
c. Served as Official Hunter Course Designer at a special event. (i.e. Legacy Cup, AHJF Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, a $25,000 Open Hunter Classic, National Equitation Medal Finals or Regional Equitation Finals) Documentation of experience must be provided.
2. All Applicants for “R” status must have attended an USEF Hunter Course Design Clinic:
If you are already a licensed official and wish to verify your Hunter Course Design officiating records for the past two years with USEF, go to the Licensed Officials Search, search for you name and click on your USEF Membership ID #. If you are not currently a licensed official, please email the Licensed Officials Department to receive the complete list.
June 9th is the deadline for submitting applications for review at the August Licensed Officials Committee meeting.
Contact: Diane Shawback, Assisant Director of Licensing
Category 1 Steward Mentor Program:
The New Category 1 Steward Mentor Program will be in effect as of 12/1/09. The application to become a Mentor Steward is now available online or by contacting the Licensed Officials Department. The form and above listed information will be emailed or mailed to those who have met the stewarding requirements per Federation records.
In order to become a Mentor Steward, the candidate must meet the following criteria:
• Must have held a Registered C1 card for a minimum of five (5) years
• Must be at least 30 years old
• Must have acted as a Steward or Manager in a minimum of 12 “A” or” AA” USEF licensed Hunter/Jumper competitions during the last three (3) competition years
• Must have acted as Steward or Chief Schooling Supervisor in a minimum of six (6) $25,000 or higher Grand Prix classes in the last three (3) years (documentation required)
• Must be a current member in good standing of USEF and USHJA
• Must have the knowledge, experience and temperament to determine whether applicants are qualified to be licensed
• Must not have been suspended by USEF within five (5) years preceding application to become a mentor
June 9th is the deadline for submitting applications for review at the August Licensed Officials Committee meeting.
Contact: Diane Shawback, Assisant Director of Licensing
Staff Directory
Competition Dates Department
Leigh Anne Claywell, Director, lclaywell@usef.org (859)225-6959
Diana Campbell, Assistant Director, dcampbell@usef.org (859)225-6914
Becky Francis, Competition Services Coordinator, bfrancis@usef.org (859)225-6980
Amy Alley, Competition Evaluation Representative, aalley@usef.org (859)225-2047
Shirley Kostka, Federation Representative Coordinator, skostka@usef.org (859)225-6915
Licensed Officials / Continuing Education Department
Mary Smith, Director, msmith@usef.org (859)225-6948
Diane Shawback, Assistant Director, Licensing, dshawback@usef.org (859)225-6971
Chuck Walker, Assistant Director, Continuing Education, cwalker@usef.org (859)225-6970
Jan McKinney, Continuing Education Coordinator, jmckinney@usef.org (859)225-6988
Amanda Bassett, Licensed Officials Representative, abassett@usef.org (859)225-2044
Abigail Cook, Legislative Coordinator, acook@usef.org (859)225-2057
Regulation Department
Lori Nelson, Director, lnelson@usef.org (859)225-6957
Julie Hutson, Assistant Director, jhutson@usef.org (859)225-6953
Emily Patrick, Assistant Director, epatrick@usef.org (859)225-6956
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
Ashley Barnes, Regulation Services Representative, abarnes@usef.org (859)225-6962
Weekend Emergency Hotline
(859) 312-5186
Drugs and Medications Hotline
(800) 633-2472