Dear Members,

The United States Equestrian Federation had a prosperous year in 2015, celebrating competition achievements both at home and abroad, while embracing positive organizational change. The Federation and its 21 recognized affiliates honored competitors from the grassroots level to National Champions at 2,500 licensed competitions. Our three U.S. Teams at the Pan American Games in Toronto secured eight medals, earning much-needed qualification for dressage and eventing at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, joining the previously qualified show jumping team. 

The restructured Federation continues to evolve under the direction of the reduced and more strategic Board of Directors, which began the year by adopting refreshed mission and vision statements, and later approved a set of core values to drive what the organization does and speaks to at all levels. The Board will conduct a strategic planning session during our 2016 Annual Meeting. Our focus will be set on raising the level of participation in equestrian sport while ensuring fairness and safety for our members. 

Several task forces were appointed in 2015 to address the following specific member and governance issues: Horse Recording and Identification, Stewards and Technical Delegates Duties, Mileage Conflicts, and Horse Welfare. Rule change proposals will come forward from these task forces at the USEF Annual Meeting, including a comprehensive rewrite of Chapter 3: Competition Licensing, covering the application of the mileage rule. In addition, the Horse Welfare Initiative Task Force worked with our affiliates and committees to develop a Best Practices section of the USEF website to serve as an educational resource for members.

Remaining steadfast in our commitment to the welfare of the horse, the Board approved a change in General Rule 404 that expands the scope of responsibility beyond the trainer for any prohibited substances found in a competition horse. The Board has also authorized work on a new level of licensed competitions with modified fees and requirements in order to develop new licensed competitions, as well as reestablish those that were previously licensed.

Two Town Hall meetings were held in 2015, affording all members the opportunity to voice opinions on key rule changes. The 2016 Annual Meeting will include Town Hall sessions for proposed rule changes and accountability for drugs and medications violations. There will be a special forum to gather member input on the viability of developing, in partnership with our affiliates, a coaching pipeline for equestrian sport. Member input and insights are an important part of the governance process and we encourage your attendance and participation in these sessions.

The USEF is both a governance and a service organization. We have continued to develop and support programs that provide more effective and efficient member services as well as increase the access to equestrian sport for competitors and fans alike. Our relationships with our affiliates and partner organizations are instrumental in our efforts to grow the sport to new levels and we will look to strengthen these connections in the coming year.

I look forward to a productive Annual Meeting and especially to honoring our 2015 Pegasus and Horse of the Year award winners. Happy holidays, and I wish you the best of luck in the 2016 competition season!

Kind Regards,

Chrystine Tauber
President, United States Equestrian Federation