The US Equestrian Board of Directors met on Jan. 18, 2026 at the conclusion of the Federation’s annual meeting in Louisville, Ky. In addition to getting update reports on various long-term initiatives, the board made key decisions on several rule changes and other resolutions.

Proposed Rule Changes

The board disapproved an extraordinary rule change to GR803 which had been discussed at the mid-year board meeting in June 2025 and was tabled. This rule change would have prohibited the use of whips used in anger or to punish horses. Board members ultimately agreed that the kind of behavior this rule change was seeking to address is already covered by the language of GR838, which deals with unethical treatment of horses and specifically prohibits “misuse or excessive use of a whip, spur, or bit.” Several board members expressed concern that determining what constitutes the intent of equipment use is highly subjective. Importantly, the USEF Horse Welfare Guidelines released last year provide specific examples of behavior and body language that indicate a horse/handler interaction has risen to the level it should be stopped and reported to an official or to USEF.

The board passed one extraordinary rule change to GR1005.3 which allows foreign officials to officiate up to two national events in a competition year before being required to obtain  a background check in an effort to reduce costs to show organizers and foreign-based judges who likely appear infrequently at USEF competitions. The motion passed with one opposed.

A group of four standard rule changes referred from the mid-year board meeting also passed to remove all references to the United Professional Horsemen’s Association and its programs from several rule chapters. This change was made at the request of UPHA after UPHA and USEF failed to finalize an agreement that contained language prohibiting the presence and participation of banned or suspended persons from the grounds of competitions hosting these program classes.

Other Actions

The board passed a resolution to change the cadence of General Rule changes in response to feedback received. Members, licensed officials, and affiliates have shared that they feel General Rules are updated too frequently, making it hard to keep track of current versions. Under the changes made at the board meeting, General Rules would only be updated on odd years after 2027.

The board also agreed to increase executive committee meetings to once monthly while maintaining their own meeting schedule at six per year (two in person, four virtual). This schedule is designed to take care of basic, administrative functions at the executive committee level, allowing the board to spend more time and energy on long-term projects and big-picture planning.

Board Representation

Phillip Richter reached the end of his term on the board during this meeting. Richter was the USET Foundation representative on the board, and US Equestrian thanked him for his service. The new USET Foundation representative will be Lisa Deslauriers.

Presentations to the Board

The Board heard a series of presentations on existing projects and future issues, including

• Perspective from the USOPC’s senior governance advisor Dave Patterson on the qualities that make an effective national governing body, including the percentage of their time they spend on long-term versus short-term planning and concerns
• A presentation from BOLD Studios previewing initial work on a multi-year marketing campaign designed to celebrate horses across breeds and disciplines and the unique bond and positive impact they have on humans, inside and outside horse sport in the lead-in to LA28.
• An update on planning progress related to LA28 promotion, plans for partnerships and visibility at and before the event, as well as quarantine facility challenges ahead
• An update on the Federation’s progress toward its strategic plan, which was also detailed in the general session
• Progress report on the first year of the US Open, which has drawn in significant audience already and is on track for its financial targets
• A presentation on the effects of methocarbamol on horses and its use in the field