As the new competition year begins, US Equestrian would like to clear up some confusion about the roles listed on entry agreements and waivers. We’ve had a number of questions from people about how to determine who needs to be listed as a “trainer” or a “coach” on entry forms, and we can understand that this can be confusing. The terms are sometimes used differently across breeds and disciplines, and even between barns.

For the purposes of an entry agreement, a “trainer” is defined as “any adult or adults who has the responsibility for the care, training, custody, or performance of a horse.”  (GR148).

When deciding who should sign the entry agreement as the “trainer,” consider who is responsible for the horse before and during a show.  In cases where an owner or rider cares for their own horse, they would sign the blank as trainer

since they are the person making decisions about the care, feeding, stabling, and preparation of the horse. an owner or rider cares for the horse away from shows, but the horse is stabled with and cared for by another individual or barn at the show, then that person would sign as trainer. The trainer on the entry form must be present on the grounds of the horse show. 

We often get questions about how entry forms should be filled out if a rider typically works with a trainer, but the trainer is not on site, or where another trainer or assistant trainer from the home barn is responsible for the horse at the show. The person primarily responsible for all decisions related to the horse at the horse show should sign as trainer. In the unlikely event that the horse tests positive for a prohibited substance, more than one person could be held accountable under the rules, depending on the facts and circumstances. 

For the purposes of an entry form, a “coach” is defined as “any adult or adults on the competition grounds who has or shares the responsibility for instructing, teaching, schooling, or advising a rider, driver, handler, or vaulter in equestrian skills.”  GR108 Here, the focus is on who is instructing or working with the exhibitor at the horse show. Sometimes, a horse’s trainer will also be coaching the horse's exhibitor, and in these cases, both blanks should be signed by the same person. If you have a question about your role or want to better understand the terms you see on an entry agreement, please reach out to [email protected].