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  5. Regulation Processes


Regulation Processes & Grievances

Athletes wishing to file a grievance challenging a denial or threatened denial to participate in competition, please see An Athlete's Guide to Filing a Grievance Regarding Opportunity to Participate and the Opportunity to Participate Complaint Form. For procedural guidance for filing a grievance, please contact Emily Pratt at [email protected].
 

Athlete Ombuds

Team USA athletes may contact the Office of the Athlete Ombuds for independent and confidential advice on a variety of sport related matters, including their rights, applicable rules, policies or processes, and questions related to resolving disputes and grievances. The Athlete Ombuds can also help Team USA athletes connect with legal counsel or mental health resources if needed. All other NGB athletes (i.e., athletes competing domestically at the masters or youth level, recreational athletes, foreign athletes) are welcome to visit the Athlete Ombuds website to review informational resources and should work directly with their NGB to understand additional resources and options available to them.

Phone: 719-866-5000

Email: [email protected]

Website: usathlete.org

   

Athlete Ombuds Confidentiality and Privacy Policy:

(A) In general.—The Office of the Athlete Ombuds shall maintain as confidential any information communicated or provided to the Office of the Athlete Ombuds in confidence in any matter involving the exercise of the official duties of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds. (B) Exception.—The Office of the Athlete Ombuds may disclose information described in subparagraph (A) as necessary to resolve or mediate a dispute, with the permission of the parties involved. (C) Judicial and administrative proceedings.— (i) In general.—The ombudsman and the staff of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds shall not be compelled to testify or produce evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding with respect to any matter involving the exercise of the duties of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds. (ii) Work product.—Any memorandum, work product, notes, or case file of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds—(I) shall be confidential; and(II) shall not be—(aa) subject to discovery, subpoena, or any other means of legal compulsion; or (bb) admissible as evidence in a judicial or administrative proceeding. (D) Applicability.—The confidentiality requirements under this paragraph shall not apply to information relating to—(i) applicable federally mandated reporting requirements; (ii) a felony personally witnessed by a member of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds; (iii) a situation, communicated to the Office of the Athlete Ombuds, in which an individual is at imminent risk of serious harm; or (iv) a congressional subpoena.

 

Anti-retaliation Statement

No employee, contractor, agent, volunteer, or member of USEF or the USOPC shall take or threaten action against an athlete as a reprisal for disclosing information to or seeking assistance from the Office of the Athlete Ombuds.

 

Please see USEF Bylaws Part VII and Supplemental Procedures for Complaints and Grievances for details around Complaints and Grievances. 

 

For questions regarding Amateur/Professional Status and the Rules please email Amateur Inquiry.

Forms and Publications

Inappropriate Conduct Towards Licensed Officials Penalty Guidelines

The Inappropriate Conduct Towards Licensed Officials Penalty Guidelines (“Guidelines”) have been prepared to inform the Federation membership of the types and ranges of penalties that have been imposed for rule violations based on the categories below. These Guidelines also assist the Hearing Committee Panels in the imposition of consistent and efficient penalties.

Process for Reported Violation(s) of Federation Rules

Each report of an alleged rule violation received by the Regulation Department is subject to a four-step process.

Drugs & Medications Penalty Guidelines

The Drugs & Medications Penalty Guidelines (“Guidelines”) have been prepared to inform the Federation membership of the types and ranges of penalties that have been imposed for rule violations based on the categories below. These Guidelines also assist the Hearing Committee Panels in the imposition of consistent and efficient penalties.

Members' Rights

Before any adverse action is taken by the Federation, you will be afforded the rights contained herein.

Process to Relieve a Suspended Horse from Suspension

Allows new owners or lessees the opportunity to demonstrate to the Hearing Committee that they acquired a horse through a bona fide transaction and therefore the horse should be relieved of suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Suspended Horses

Answers questions about suspended horses.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Suspended Persons

Answers questions relating to regulations placed on a suspended person and anyone who takes over responsibilities of a suspended person.

Evidence Gathering Guidelines

These guidelines were established to assist USEF Licensed Officials with ensuring the information and evidence collated at a competition will be of value not only throughout an investigation but also within any formal proceedings.

USEF Horse Welfare & Safety Penalty Guidelines

The Horse Welfare & Safety Penalty Guidelines (“Guidelines”) have been prepared to inform the Federation membership of the types and ranges of penalties that may be imposed for rule violations based on the categories below. These Guidelines also assist the Hearing Committee Panels in the imposition of consistent and efficient penalties.

Supplemental Procedures for Complaints and Grievances

Bylaw 701.3 authorizes the Federation’s Regulation Department (FRD) to generally administer and oversee all complaints and empowers the FRD to promulgate procedures in addition to those set forth in the Bylaws for effective administration of reports of violations or formal complaints received by the Federation. Under this authority, the FRD adopts these additional procedures.