Consistent with GR154, modifications may be made in the application of Federation Rules under special circumstances by the President after soliciting recommendations from appropriate Councils and Committees.
A Senior Active Member of USEF may submit a request for Presidential Modification, along with a non-refundable $150 processing fee. Requests submitted within 10 days of the Effective Date will incur an additional rush fee of $100. All Presidential Modifications are carefully considered and, if approved, are only applicable for the duration of the current competition year.
GR154 Presidential Modifications
1. Modifications may be made in the application of the Federation Rules under special circumstances (see Bylaw 332.1f). Requests should be submitted to the office of the President and will be forwarded to appropriate committee chairmen for their recommendations before being submitted to the President for consideration.
a. Senior Active Members of the Federation may submit a request for Presidential Modification to the Rules with supporting documentation and a non-refundable processing fee.
b. The President has the authority to waive the processing fee.
c. When a horse has a chronic condition and has previously been granted at least one annual Presidential Modification to Dressage or Eventing rules related to the condition, an application can be submitted for approval of a special three-year Presidential Modification related to the same condition. The application must be accompanied by sufficient supporting documentation that the condition is unlikely to improve during the three-year period.
Criteria
In addition to personal identifying information (i.e. name, contact information, USEF membership number, etc.) and all applicable rules for which a modification is requested, the request must contain a statement describing two separate, but related, topics:
- Special Circumstance: The statement must describe clearly how the request constitutes a special circumstance, which is an extraordinary and unique circumstance beyond the control of the requestor, that is unanticipated or unexpected; and
- Severe Hardship: The statement must address how, unless a request is approved, the application of the applicable Federation Rule under the special circumstance described in Part 1 would create or continue a severe hardship or gross unfairness to the Federation, its members or their horses, its licensed competitions, or its Recognized Affiliate associations.
Procedure
Statements accompanying the request must provide sufficient detail clearly articulating the above criteria including any necessary attachments. In order to ensure a comprehensive initial review, please submit a Request for Presidential Modification by logging into your My USEF Dashboard, Affiliate Account, or Competition Management Dashboard. Once a review is completed, the President’s decision will be communicated to the requesting party in writing via the email provided. A request is not approved unless and until the requesting party receives a written approval letter.
Adaptive equipment that covers a horse's eyes
Requests for the use of any equipment that covers all or part of a horse's eye(s) (e.g. fly mask, goggles) require additional documentation in order to process your request. Please contact Karen Adams to discuss the request prior to your submission to ensure necessary documentation is submitted with your request.
Necessary documentation for individual or horse requests
Medical documentation for human athletes must be submitted with your request using the upload function. A letter from the requestor's treating physician must include the diagnosis, state that it is temporary in nature, and further state that the individual is fit to compete.
For requests in which the modification is for a horse/pony, the requestor must include a letter from the animal's treating Veterinarian along with any necessary medical records to provide context needed for thorough review. A letter must accompany the request noting the diagnosis, treatment plan, any other adaptive equipment that was tried, the recommendation to support the requested modification, and finally stating that the horse is fit to compete utilizing the requested modification.
Photographs are helpful and often necessary in reviewing requests for both human and equine athletes. Please utilize the upload feature in the online application process to submit images of the requested adaptive equipment on the human or equine athlete.
Requests for permanent, measurable disability should proceed with a Dispensation Certificate application. The aids are to be compensatory in nature, not providing any advantage to any exhibitor. The Adaptive Sport Committee will review each applicant’s individual needs and requested aids and, if approved, prepare a Dispensation Certificate permitting such aids and equipment if deemed necessary and safe. Please contact Laureen Johnson, Director of Para-Equestrian at [email protected] with any questions.
Contact Information
Karen Adams, Executive Assistant
[email protected] | 859 225 2046