1. Does my horse have to be recorded?
To compete in USEF licensed competitions, every horse must have a unique USEF Horse ID number (this can be inactive).
Horses must be actively recorded (Annual or Lifetime) in order to:
For points to count with respect to any competition, the required materials and fees must be received by the Federation office (or by the Competition Secretary) on or before the first licensed day of such competition. See GR1110 for more information.
Your horse's current membership status can be verified via the USEF Horse Search HERE.
2. How can I record my horse/renew my horse's recording?
Step 1: Join USEF
A Competing Membership is required to compete at USEF competitions.
Step 2: Search for your Horse
Find out if your horse is currently recorded with USEF and complete an ownership transfer if necessary.
Step 3: Apply/Renew a Horse ID or Recording
Apply for a new horse ID or recording or renew your horse’s existing recording.
3. How do I record my foal?
The recording fee is discounted to $35 for the life of a horse if applied for from birth to December 31st of year foaled.
To qualify for the foal discount one of the following documents must be provided:
Signed statement from the veterinarian, breed registration papers, certificate of pedigree, or a passport issued by a breed or sport horse registry approved by the Federation.
4. How do I change my horse's information?
Name Changes/Updates:
Update or Add a Microchip:
Foal Date Correction:
Deceased, Retired, or Sold
For other changes or questions, please contact the Horse Services department at [email protected].
5. How do I transfer the ownership of a USEF recorded horse?
Read the Ownership Transfer & Lease Guide for helpful information and instructions. Transfers become effective the date that the proper forms (with required signature(s)) and fees are received at the USEF office (GR1105).
A Bill of Sale is not required but is an acceptable transfer document. A document that authorizes the transfer of ownership from one party to another is required. This document must be signed by both parties. USEF does not accept agent's signatures as authorization for an ownership transfer. Parent/guardian signatures are required for minors. If the signature of the last recorded owner is not available, a Federation Transfer Certification must be submitted. It must explain why the required signature is not available and submitted with proof of ownership (bill of sale, cancelled check, donation papers, or registration papers).
For horses with a Life Recording:
For Horses with an Active Annual Recording:
For horses with an Inactive (Expired Annual) Recording:
Family Transfers:
Organization Transfers:
6. How can I add/remove an additional owner on my horse?
Submit a written statement signed by both parties to [email protected]
7. Can an individual under 18 years of age be listed as an owner of a horse?
Yes. The owner must be a USEF member. A parent/guardian signature is required to transfer ownership of a horse to a minor.
8. Do I need to register my lease with USEF?
The Federation encourages all lessors of horses competing in Federation competitions to register the lease with the Federation. Read the Ownership Transfer & Lease Guide for helpful information and instructions.
The $100 lease registration fee must be submitted to the USEF office with a copy of the lease agreement signed by lessee and lessor. USEF does not accept agent signatures for the purposes of registering a lease (GR1108.5). Parent/Guardian signatures are required for minors.
The lease agreement must indicate a start date and end date of the lease period. For competition purposes, the lease registration is effective the date that the proper fee and documentation (with required signatures) are submitted online for processing. Once the lease is registered with USEF, the horse/pony must be entered under the ownership of the lessee.
Lessor or lessee must renew the USEF Annual Recording by the annual renewal date. The Federation does not intervene on the terms of the lease. USEF must have written confirmation signed by both parties if a lease is extended or if the lease is terminated prior to the expiration date.
If the lease is extended beyond the previously submitted end date, written notification must be received in the USEF office within 30 days of its original expiration. If the notification is not received within 30 days, the lease must be registered again as stated above (with new signed agreement and fee). (GR1108)
9. What documents do I submit to verify my horse's age?
Age can be verified only through the following identification documents:
a. Breed registration papers, Certificate of Pedigree or passport issued by a breed or sport horse registry approved by the Federation.
b. Horse Identification Document issued by a breed or sport horse registry approved by the Federation that states the registered name of the horse, the registration number of the horse and age of the horse.
c. Age verification is only required for age restricted classes.
10. When will I see changes on the USEF website?
Changes to the USEF website are completed overnight.
11. How do I obtain my horse's certificate or horse card?
Log in to your My USEF account. Navigate to the Horse Options section, then click on the "My Horses" tile. Click on the Horse Certificate or Horse Card icons to download/print these documents.
12. How do I obtain my horse's competition record?
Sign in to your USEF Account and navigate to your horse's page.
Click on the "Details & Results" tile then "Horse Report" at the top of the page.
You can also Search Horses then click on "Horse Report" to pull up the horse's full competition report.
13. Does my horse need a passport?
Horses that compete in FEI competition must have an official Federation issued passport. A national passport is valid for lower-level competition within the United States. An FEI passport is valid for any level of FEI competition both nationally and internationally.
14. If my horse is owned by a farm, do the owners of the farm have to be members?
In order for points to count toward USEF Horse of the Year Awards, the horse must be actively recorded and owned by an individual member of the Federation or a recorded Farm/Business.
If a horse(s) is owned by a farm or organization, at least one of the owners must be a Federation Senior (18+) Active Competing Member in good standing (GR202). Create a Farm/Business Recording here.
15. My horse is owned by a farm. Who do I list as the owner on the entry blank?
Per GR1106, entries may be made in a name other than that of an individual for Horse of the Year Awards, provided such name (Stable/Farm, Corporation, etc.) is registered with the Federation. All applications for registration of a Stable/Farm, Corporation, etc. must be signed be each of the bona fide owners of the Stable/Farm, Corporation, etc.
The fee for each (Stable/Farm, Corporation, etc.) registration is $80 (Annual Recorded/12 months from the start date) and $2500 (Life Recorded/no expiration date).
16. If I decide to cancel an application submitted to USEF, can I request a refund?
USEF does issue refunds for horse applications that could not be processed, if requested. If the request was processed, a refund will not be issued. A processing fee of $5 is withheld from all refunds.