Starting Dec. 1, 2026, all Endorsed levels of eventing (Beginner Novice through Training) will transition from USEF Endorsed to USEF-licensed, as Local Lite levels, which will now include Starter.
Competitions offering only Starter through Training levels will now require a USEF Competition License, and will be licensed as a Local Lite competition. Competitions offering Starter through Training Levels in combination with any levels at Modified or above will continue to be USEF-licensed with a Regular competition license.
The Lite program is designed to offer cost savings to competition managers and competitors, allowing greater accessibility to horse shows while still including the safety protections and reporting resolution process available at Regular licensed shows.
Here’s what you need to know about the change.
If you currently manage an Endorsed event that does not offer levels above Training:
- All competition licensing and licensee registration fees for Lite competitions in 2027 have been waived, so you will not be charged to license your event.
- US Equestrian Competition Licensing staff will be reaching out in the coming weeks to directly assist you with applying for a Local Lite competition license.
- You may have read that some Lite competitions are permitted to hire applicant licensed officials. This will not apply to eventing competitions because the requirements for Licensed Officials in EV153 supersede the Lite Licensed Official requirements. You can find EV153 here.
- Organizers of Local Lite competitions may apply for a limited grant program to assist in the expenses related to the costs of Qualified Medical Personnel.
- You will need to verify eligibility of participants signing the entry blank as Trainer or Coach in Lite levels (Starter through Training) who will now be required to have an Annual Lite Pass or USEF competing membership, and Safe Sport training. You can do that here.
If you currently manage an event that offers levels Starter to Training and at Modified and above, you will continue to apply for a Regular license.
- The USEA will continue to support all events by assisting in the verifification of all participants signing the entry blank as Trainer or Coach in Lite levels (Starter to Training), who will now be required to have an Annual Lite Pass or USEF competing membership, and Safe Sport training. You can do that here.
How this impacts your participants:
- Your participants competing in Starter through Training will not be required to have a USEF membership or Annual Lite Pass unless they are signing the entry blank as Trainer or Coach. Trainers and Coaches may opt to purchase a USEF Competing Membership ($100) or a USEF Annual Lite Pass which is free to eventing participants to enter. The Annual Lite Pass normally costs $15, but its cost to Trainers and Coaches will be paid by USEA.
- Trainers and Coaches will now be required to complete Safe Sport training if they haven’t already.
- Remember, for the purposes of an entry blank, the “Trainer” is the person who is responsible for the horse’s care before and during a show. In some cases, this may be the same person as the rider or coach. The trainer is the person making decisions about care, feeding, stabling and preparation of the horse. A “coach” is the person providing instructions to the rider at the show. The trainer and the coach may sometimes be the same person. The trainer blank must be filled on a valid entry, but the coach blank is not required.
- Learn more about who signs the entry blank here.
Learn more about the Lite program here. If you have questions, please reach out to [email protected].