US Equestrian

Watch the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Mars Equestrian™ on USEF Network April 22-25

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As part of our effort to protect the health of our staff and comply with restrictions, we are currently operating under a flexible work plan. COVID restrictions may result in a brief delay in services, such as wait times and passport processing, however we are continuing to improve service times as restrictions are slowly lifted, while still considering the safety of our staff and members.

FAQ: Licensed Officials - COVID-19 Action Plan

1. Does the updated USEF Waiver and Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity have to be submitted with the Steward/TD (Technical Delegate) Report?

No. Competition Management will be required to keep the waivers for three years.

2. If I officiate in a state where I must quarantine after entering the state, what should I do?

Contact the state or local authorities regarding that area’s travel restrictions before accepting any assignments. You may also access the State-by-State COVID-19 Guidance web page for additional information that is updated daily.

3. Am I required to have my temperature taken each day when I arrive at the competition?

Yes. Competition Management must arrange temperature monitoring upon arrival each day for volunteers, officials, competition staff, and service providers. If you have a temperature of 100.4° F (38° C ) or higher you may not enter the facility.

4. Do I have to wear a facemask or face covering while I am officiating?

Yes, a face mask or face covering is required at all times while on competition ground.

5. Will Competition Management supply me with a facemask?

Check with Competition Management before traveling to the competition.

6. Does USEF have recommendations of facemasks or face coverings?

You can find recommendations for proper use of face masks and face coverings via the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website.

7. An exhibitor wears a facemask while competing. As a judge, can I disqualify or penalize the competitor for wearing a facemask?

No. Any participant who wishes to may compete with a facemask or face covering and cannot be disqualified or penalized for doing so.

8. Will horse and pony measurements continue?

Yes. Those completing horse and pony measurements must maintain social distancing while completing the measurement. Only one handler is permitted to bring the horse or pony to the measurement area. If more than one person arrives with the horse or pony to be measured, the measuring official has the authority to ask the excess individual(s) to leave the measurement area. The use of facemasks during the measurement is required for the Steward/Technical Delegate, Veterinarian, and handler. Handlers should stand on the off side of the horse or pony with as much distance between themselves and the withers as possible, while continuing to handle the horse or pony safely. Measurement forms cannot be submitted by the Steward or Technical Delegate electronically. Competition Management should develop a plan on how to safely organize horse or pony measurements, which may include creating a schedule, taping off the measurement area to discourage unnecessary loitering, etc.

9. I live close to a competition, but if I officiate for them again, I may violate the Judge, Steward, or TD rotation rules. I am trying to help the competition reduce the number of out-of-state officials they hire. What should I do?

Presidential Modifications have been issued effective May 18, 2020 that waive the officiating limitations imposed by GR1034 and GR1038 for judges, stewards, and technical delegates. These modifications will remain in effect for the remainder of 2020 and throughout the 2021 competition year.

10. A competition I was planning to officiate at has cancelled. How do the rotation rules apply to a cancelled competition?

Cancelled competitions are not included towards the calculation of rotation rules. If an official has questions about their specific officiating history, they can contact Alina Brazzil, Director of Licensed Officials, at [email protected].

11. An applicant wants to apprentice with me. What should I do?

Accepting apprentices is at the discretion of the official(s) and Competition Manager. Apprentices must receive permission from the official(s) they wish to apprentice with and the Competition Manager before they are permitted to apprentice. If you accept an apprentice, please be aware that you must maintain social distancing requirements at all times, including while officiating. All apprentices must comply with any mandatory requirements outlined in the USEF Action Plan.

12. I am planning to officiate, but I am nervous about traveling to a hotel, getting a rental car, and finding food. What should I do?

Choosing to officiate is a personal decision. Please evaluate your personal risk factors, federal, state, and local guidelines, and current pandemic status to make a decision.

13. An official becomes ill while officiating at a Federation licensed competition and the official is required in order to meet the minimum number of officials. What should happen?

The official is not permitted to officiate. Competition Management should try to find a replacement official. If a replacement cannot be identified, the Competition Manager should contact Alina Brazzil, Director of Licensed Officials, at [email protected] to work out a solution.

14. I am required to submit course plans/diagrams with my C1 Steward’s Report. How can I avoid touching the course plans?

Stewards can take a photo of the course plans/diagrams with their phone and upload the photo as an addendum to the Report.

15. For competitions that require inspections of tack and equipment, how should those inspections be conducted?

The Federation approved Rule Modifications to clarify that tack inspections will be conducted visually. Please review the specific rule modifications here.

16. I need to give a competitor, spectator, or participant a Yellow Warning Card. How should I do that safely?

GR1037 states the Yellow Warning Card “must be provided to the alleged offender at the competition either in person or by any other suitable means.” Therefore, you can provide the Yellow Warning Card digitally.

17. Do I have to follow the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan requirements if am officiating at a schooling show?

If a competition is not licensed by the Federation, then you are not required to follow the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan requirements. However, you should check with the organizer and federal, state, and local public health authorities regarding any requirements that may be in effect.

18. How will non-compliance be reported?

All Stewards and TDs must include incidents of non-compliance of the mandatory requirements outlined in the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan within the Steward or TD Report. New questions have been added to the Report to help capture this information.

19. As a Steward or TD, what should I do when a competition is not following the mandatory requirements outlined in the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan?

Notify Competition Management immediately so they can address and resolve the issue. Include all incidents within your Report to the Federation. Follow the Evidence Gathering Guidelines in order to provide the most accurate and correct information to the Federation.

20. As a licensed official that is not a Steward or TD, what should I do when a competition is not following the mandatory requirements outlined in the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan?

Notify the Steward or TD immediately, so they can include the information within their Report. The Steward or TD should also help resolve the issue with Competition Management. If the Steward or TD is unavailable, contact Competition Management directly.

21. An exhibitor refuses to follow a mandatory requirement within the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan. What should I do?

Notify the Steward or TD immediately, or Competition Management if the Steward or TD is unavailable. The Competition Manager has the authority under GR702.1 and GR914 to remove any person from the facility who does not comply with the regulations and requirements in effect at the competition. Competition Management must be the party to ensure the individual has been removed from the facility. Stewards and TDs must document the removal of a person from the facility in the Steward or TD Report.

22. Are licensed officials responsible for identifying if a competition is not following the federal, state, or local guidelines regarding COVID-19?

Stewards and TDs are required to report compliance on the part of the competition with respect to the mandatory requirements of the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan. This includes posting the required signage displaying federal, state, and local requirements and orders as they relate to mass gatherings and sporting events in effect at the competition. The USEF Steward and TD Reports are being updated to facilitate the ability for Stewards and TDs to report this information.

23. I am a judge and my judge’s area does not comply with social distancing requirements. What should I do?

Notify the Steward or TD immediately so they can contact Competition Management to resolve the issue. If the Steward or TD is unavailable, contact Competition Management directly. Do not officiate until you are able to complete your duties within an area that meets social distancing requirements.