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Here you can find stories from the USEF Insider, a twice-monthly email newsletter packed with features about USEF people and programs, including our drugs and medications program, regulations, and competitions departments.

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USEF Mythbusters: Microchips Are For Biosecurity, Not Pedigree Verification

by Natalie Voss | March 20, 2026

As we near the implementation date of the US Equestrian rule requiring microchips to be on file for all horses participating in endorsed competitions, you may be hearing continued buzz about why the USEF board passed this rule back in 2023. Earlier this year, a presidential modification delayed implementation of this rule from Dec. 1, 2025 to Dec. 1, 2026. (If you are one of many members who got your horse’s microchip implanted and on their record last year, we thank you for your

Clarity, Obedience, Care, Loyalty: A Few of the Ingredients To Successful Governance

by Danielle Henson | March 18, 2026

From the outside, it can be hard to know how governing bodies like US Equestrian should (and shouldn’t) function internally and externally. In a presentation at the 2026 USEF Annual meeting, Dr. David Patterson, Senior Governance Advisor at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) offered a thoughtful and practical framework for effective governance, grounded in shared values, clear roles, and principled leadership. At its core, the discussion emphasized that sport (and

US Equestrian and Safe Sport: Who, What, and Why

by Natalie Voss | March 18, 2026

If you compete in US Equestrian-sanctioned events, you receive a prompt each year to complete a refresher of Safe Sport training – but do you know how this program came about, or what happens if someone violates one of the policies? First of all, it’s important to know that Safe Sport is a global initiative to promote an abuse and harassment free culture in sport, and is not limited to equestrian sports. In the mid-2010s, a number of USA Olympic sports faced crises as

Horse Suspensions Included in New Penalty Guidelines for Drugs & Medications Cases

by Natalie Voss | March 5, 2026

In February, the USEF Board adopted new penalty guidelines for drugs and medications cases, which will guide both informal resolutions and cases before the Hearing Committee. You can find a link to the full guidelines here . The updated guidelines were designed with three goals in mind: Enhance member awareness of the process and promote understanding of what to expect if they are notified of a positive finding. Better reflect how penalties for certain substances are currently treated.

What Can Equestrians Learn From Olympic Runners? It’s All About Technology

by Debbie Elliot | March 4, 2026

What if you could see what a dressage judge sees when they watch your test? Or ask your phone to tell you whether you’re unwittingly leaning in your saddle? It may sound futuristic, but those tools are now a reality. With the advancement of AI diagnostics and analysis, technology is increasingly impacting all areas of our lives, from telehealth and remote learning to global communication. USEF is committed to utilizing the latest technology to improve competition outcomes, and to

Same Horses, Different Setting: FEI Grant Program for Licensed Officials Inspires Similar Program at USEF

by Natalie Voss | February 20, 2026

It’s a dream for any equestrian to experience the CHIO Aachen, the World Equestrian Festival – for athletes, fans, and yes, for licensed officials, too. This year, Aachen will be even more special, hosting the World Championships for six FEI disciplines. “One truly cannot appreciate the scale and scope of CHIO Aachen until you experience it first-hand,” said Jon Kreitz, who traveled to the event as a licensed official in 2024. “The opening ceremony in the main

Coming Soon: A Completely Free Horse Show Entry Management System

by Natalie Voss | February 20, 2026

As we all look forward to spring, we know many members are creating their competition calendars for the upcoming season. For those who have battled cold and snow this winter, the prospect of entering the first shows of the year sounds refreshing. And yet, we’ve had many members tell us they wish the horse show entry process could be easier. Some show offices are still working off paper entries, while others are frustrated with the amount of manual checking they need to do between their

Environmental Sustainability At Horse Shows: Lowering Costs For Riders and For the Planet

by Natalie Voss | February 20, 2026

The increased costs of putting on a horse show have been a hot topic in the equestrian world as of late (which is why we hosted a panel about competition costs at the recent USEF annual meeting – read a summary of that presentation here ). But costs aren’t the only thing that will dictate the future forecast for the sustainability of horse shows – or their social license to operate. Environmental impact has become a growing concern for all industries and sports, and the

USEF Insider: Safety Vests in Horse Sports: What We Know and What We Don't

by Natalie Voss | February 5, 2026

In recent years, safety air vests have become a popular piece of safety equipment for equestrians across a range of disciplines. ASTM-certified body protectors became mandatory in eventing for the cross country phase starting in 2006, but both foam body protectors and air vests are increasingly being seen in other competition rings, too. Equestrian helmets are tested by one of several international standards organizations which have protocols for evaluating the performance of helmets under

USEF Insider: What’s Happening With That Rule? AEDs Could Be Required at Horse Shows

by Natalie Voss | February 5, 2026

This is the second edition of our series about proposed rule changes. Rule changes go through a long process wherein members, committees, and councils review and revise them before they are passed or rejected. (You can learn more about that process i n this article from Equestrian Magazine .) This series is aimed at helping members understand why rule changes have been proposed, why they’re constructed the way they are, and how they may change as they go through the process. You can

USEF Insider: Our First Member Listening Session of 2026 Is Fast Approaching!

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | February 5, 2026

After receiving positive feedback from members about our 2025 horse welfare town hall series, US Equestrian will be continuing in-person and virtual listening sessions in 2026 focusing on horse and member welfare. The first session of the year will be held at Desert Circuit at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, Calif., next Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 4:30 p.m. in the Palms Club. US Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney and COO/General Counsel Sonja Keating will be on hand to provide updates on

USEF Insider: Is Equestrian Sport Ready to Deal With Fall Data?

by Debbie Elliot | February 5, 2026

Improving the safety of our sport for both horse and rider is a priority for US Equestrian. At the 2026 Annual Meeting in Louisville, Ky., a session titled “Equestrian Safety: Are We Ready?” discussed how aspects such as data collection and concussion management can make equestrian sport safer. Moderator David O’Connor, US Equestrian Chief of Sport, opened the panel discussion by stating that there are 1.77 million “starts” in USEF-licensed competitions each