Compliance Department Objective

The USEF Compliance Department was created to evaluate competitions for compliance with USEF rules and standards to safeguard horse and human safety and welfare. Our team works collaboratively with members, licensed officials, and managers to ensure competitions meet and/or exceed USEF requirements and provide a positive experience for both horses and humans.

How is the Compliance Objective Fulfilled?

Our goal is to work with competition managers and officials to find solutions and resolve areas of non-compliance. We use a combination of on-site evaluations by department staff, licensed official’s reports, and member evaluations to identify areas of non-compliance. We then work with managers to remedy those situations. If issues remain unresolved, they are referred to the USEF Regulations Department for possible further action.

On-Site Evaluations

Compliance staff travel to USEF affiliated breed and discipline competitions across the US. While conducting a compliance inspection we talk with members, licensed officials, and competition management. These conversations may include asking how the current competition is running and discussing the application of USEF rules and standards in the field, among other things.

Competitions are selected for on-site compliance evaluations based on a variety of factors, some of which include:

• reports of concerns shared by USEF members through Member’s Confidential Evaluations
• information included in Steward or Technical Delegate Reports
• concerns identified in consultation with USEF Sport or Competition Departments

Confidential Competition and Licensed Officials Evaluations

Reviews of evaluations from members about licensed officials and competitions are an important part of our efforts to provide USEF members and their horses with a safe, fair, and enjoyable competition experience. All evaluations that have been submitted are reviewed by USEF staff, and we may contact you to obtain further information in order to fully investigate the matter you shared with us. The best method to ensure your voice is heard is to provide your written feedback directly to USEF.

How to Submit a Competition and Licensed Officials Evaluation

You can submit a confidential Competition and Licensed Officials Evaluation at usef.org/compete/competition-evaluation/select-competition or through your My USEF Dashboard.  Please follow the instructions below to access the evaluation form from your My USEF Dashboard.

1. Log in to your MyUSEF account at the upper right corner of usef.org
2. Scroll down to “Member Tools” and click on the tile labeled “Confidential Competition and Licensed Officials Evaluation”
3. Provide the Competition ID or competition name and select the competition you attended
4. Complete the Evaluation

NOTE: Including your contact information ensures that we can gather details we might need to proceed in investigating and resolving concerns with competitions. Please note that sharing your name and contact information with USEF is not required, but it is beneficial for the follow-up process should additional information be needed.