Lexington, Ky. — The US Equestrian Board of Directors convened in June for its Mid-Year Meeting in Lexington, Ky., where the group made key decisions on several rule changes and initiatives. Directors heard updates on the organization’s strategic plan, including the path to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, equine and athlete well-being, and utilizing data to advance risk management and athlete performance.

 

Updates to Lite Competitions 

One important matter the board voted on was the addition of a new USEF Annual Lite Pass which will reduce costs for coaches and trainers participating in USEF Lite competitions and will continue to allow them to access the required Safe Sport training. The Annual Lite Pass will become available beginning Dec. 1, 2026. This Pass may also be used by competitors who are self-trained and sign the entry blank as trainer or coach. USEF Lite competitions provide a low-cost opportunity for organizers to operate and participants to compete at a show operated under US Equestrian rules and adhering to the drugs and medications rules (including drug testing) without many of the traditional expenses. Previously, someone signing an entry blank as a trainer or coach at a Lite competition needed to have a USEF Competing Membership at the cost of $100 annually. At the June meeting, the board voted to create the $15 Annual Lite Pass that can be used by a coach or trainer instead of the Competing Membership. 

Competitors and horse owners do not need to be a USEF member or Lite Pass holder to participate in a Lite show unless they are also signing the entry blank as coach/trainer. USEF points may not be earned at a Lite competition unless the horse’s owner is a Competing Member and the horse is recorded. Otherwise, there is no horse recording requirement, though any horse competing at a Lite show will receive a free USEF horse ID number and must have a microchip. 

Anyone who purchases the Lite Pass will still be required to take SafeSport training, and the pass will only allow them to participate at competitions with a Lite license or at Lite Levels within a Regular Competition. If they wish to participate in any capacity at a Regular Licensed competition, they must upgrade to a Competing Membership. The $15 cost of the Lite Pass will be applied to the cost of upgrading the membership.

For competition organizers, the cost associated with holding a Lite competition is lower, and the $50 licensing fee has been waived through 2027. While competition organizers have the option of hiring a fully licensed Steward/TD, they can also utilize an Applicant Steward/TD who has completed the Designated Applicant Training and requirements. USEF also offers a grant program for Lite competition organizers to help offset the costs of using an Applicant Steward/TD or the required qualified medical personnel. Many US Equestrian affiliates also offer grants to assist with operating Lite competitions.

The Lite license has seen increased interest over the past three years thanks to support from Morgan, Arabian, Saddlebred, and Western Dressage affiliates and organizers. Internal discussions with major discipline affiliates could lead to more shows being added, which would give more members the opportunity to participate at their current level at a lower cost.  

Read more about USEF Lite competitions here.

 

Stewards/Technical Delegate Initiatives

To ensure US Equestrian is providing the resources and assistance needed to our licensed officials so that they are best positioned to perform their duties and responsibilities, we have undertaken a complete review of the Steward/TD program. Officials and members want to know US Equestrian’s expectations, so the first step has been to clearly define what USEF needs from our licensed officials to ensure fairness, safety, and enjoyment at competitions.

USEF has laid out eight primary priorities for Stewards/TDs, which include: 

• Supporting the application of USEF’s rules and policies 
• Accurately taking and reporting any issues on competition grounds
• Serving as a liaison between USEF, officials, competition management, and exhibitors
• Proactively protecting horse and athlete welfare/safety, fairness and integrity of the sport
• Being an impartial resource for rules
• Ensuring the venue is safe/appropriate for horses and participants
• Ensuring biosecurity and equine health
• Taking ownership of their responsibilities

One proposed change, which members have been asking for, would create a pool of officials who would serve as the chief Steward/TD at a show. USEF would be responsible for paying that chief official and maintaining the pool. While competitions would reimburse USEF for the cost of the official, we believe this will help to address the conflict-of-interest concerns of our members related to the perception that officials could face pressure by show management as they enforce the rules. 

USEF is also looking at providing additional education to further strengthen and enhance licensed official training including video resources and general and sport-specific education and exams. 

US Equestrian is looking for feedback from licensed officials on these proposed changes before making anything permanent. If you’re an official or a member who would like to weigh in on these concepts, please email [email protected]   

 

Rule Changes

GR848 Concussions, Injuries, and Return to Sport: After much discussion, the board approved changes to this rule that would require participants who have fallen from a horse or horse-drawn vehicle to be examined by the competition Qualified Medical Personnel, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner before returning to competition or remounting. Effective December 1, 2026, this examination is required for all participants under the age of 18, adults who fell but did not land on their feet, and adults who have fallen more than once during a competition (regardless of whether they landed on their feet). It is the responsibility of the person who has fallen, or in the case of a minor, their parent or guardian, to make sure the examination takes place. 

Those in favor of the rule believed it was an overall good practice and mentioned that some disciplines already have similar language in their rules, that once instituted, becomes second nature. For those with concerns regarding how this change would work for qualifying for championship classes that take place at the same show, it was noted that details could be addressed in the specifications for those championships.

Read more about the intent and thinking behind this rule change in this article from the USEF Insider: https://www.usef.org/media/newsletter/the-insider/whats-happening-with-that-rule-updated-return   

 

DR101.2 Object and General Principles of Dressage: This rule change, which becomes effective December 1, 2026, adds a statement on the ethical treatment of horses, which clarifies the the object of dressage should be demonstrated, in part, by "Upholding a high standard of welfare, care and ethical treatment of all horses, ensuring their physical and mental well-being.” 

 

Referred General Rule Changes

Changes to EQ104.1, HU100.1, and JP102.1, which all relate to Unethical Treatment of the Horse and specifically the use of whips in equitation, hunters, and jumpers were referred to the next board meeting, which will take place in September. The Board agreed on the intent of the rules, which would better align the discipline rules with GR838 Unethical Treatment of the Horse and outlines how a whip may be used on a horse. However, because there was some discussion on what constitutes the field of play and what happens if a horse stays in the ring between rounds or for a jump-off or work-off, the board will review an updated draft at their September board meeting before moving forward.

Keep an eye out for deep dives into newly passed rules in upcoming issues of the USEF Insider. You can find a comprehensive list of newly passed rules here.