Lexington, Ky. -The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) would like to advise all members that participate in the Roadster Division to be aware of a rule change (RD101) that takes effect April 1, 2014, and eliminates the registration requirement. On April 1st, horses showing in the Roadster division will no longer have to submit a copy of their registration papers to the competition secretary. However, all horses competing in USEF licensed competitions must be properly identified. Therefore, if your Roadster Horse is registered you will continue to write the registration number on the entry blank. If your horse is not registered, it will have to have a USEF Horse ID number. A USEF Horse ID number can be obtained in the competition office at no charge, or the form can be found online here.

The rule (RD101.1) will now state, "Roadster Horses:  In order to compete all horses must be a Standardbred or Standardbred type. Registration is not required."

Please note however, that the registration requirements for the USTA class will not change; registration as a Standardbred with USTA or SC is still required.

Mike Felty, USEF Roadster Committee Chair, explained, "The passage of this new rule is intended to help the light numbers of entries in the Roadster Division. Numbers have been in steady decline for the last 12 years since registration was made mandatory. The key words in the new rule are Standardbred and Standardbred type. Most other breeds and crosses do not meet the specifications but if they do, we need them in our classes. Even the Westminster Kennel Club recently announced they are opening up to mixed-breed competitors. Let's all embrace the rule change and try to get our entries up around the country."

Current American Road Horse and Pony Association President and USEF Roadster Committee Member, Steve Crabtree, supports the rule change and requests, "Now that a decision has been made regarding this rule I ask our members to give it their full support as we all need to work together to increase our numbers in Roadster classes."

If you have questions concerning obtaining an ID number for your Roadster Horse please contact the United States Equestrian Federation at [email protected] or call (859) 258-2472.