Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian would like to remind eligible competitions of updates made to the USEF Lite Grants, which provide funding to USEF Lite licensed competitions. Lite licensing is designed to give competition organizers and athletes a lower cost, more relaxed competition environment which still has the benefits of US Equestrian’s rulebook and oversight. 

USEF Lite Grants provide further savings by offering financial assistance to competitions to hire necessary staffing, with up to $300 available for one- and two-day competitions and up to $500 for shows that are three days or longer. The grant may be used toward the hiring of required Qualified Medical Personnel or hiring a USEF Applicant Steward or Technical Delegate to officiate the competition.  

Please note that the application fee for USEF Lite licenses has been waived for the 2026 competition year. The $1.50 per horse fee in place at fully licensed USEF competitions is waived for all USEF Lite competitions. 

More information is available on the USEF Lite Grant Application form. Completed applications should be submitted via email to [email protected].  

Lite Licensing provides organizers of new, smaller, or previously unlicensed competitions across US Equestrian-affiliated breeds and disciplines with an entry point to the licensed competition environment by offering discounted fees and fewer barriers to entry. The program allows organizers to establish and grow their competitions under the USEF framework of organized sport, which includes rules and policies that support the safety and welfare of equestrians and their horses and offer a fair and level playing field.  

For more information, visit the USEF Lite Resources page here.