(Lexington, KY) – The USEF has formed a Task Force to review current safety procedures at USEF competitions and to make recommendations to the USEF Safety Committee regarding possible changes to safety standards for licensed competitions, regardless of breed or discipline. “The USEF consistently monitors safety standards, they are not static, and they will consistently change with the growth of our sport and the technology available,” said Andrew Ellis, Co-Chairman of the Task Force and a member of the USEF Board of Directors. “All of us have a stake in safety - the riders, instructors, organizers, and officials and we are open to input from everyone. We are also reviewing how other sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, address safety.” The initial Task Force meeting was April 25th and it is expected they will submit their recommendations to the USEF Safety Committee by mid-July. Members of the Task Force on Safety are:

• Andrew Ellis, Task Force Co-Chair, Chair of the USEF Safety Committee, and Member of USEF Board of Directors
• David O’Connor, Task Force CO-Chair and President of the USEF, Olympic Gold Medal winner in Three-Day Eventing
• Dr. Kent Allen, Chair of the USEF Equine Drugs and Medications Committee, member of the USEF Board of Directors and member of FEI Veterinary Committee
• Malcolm Hook - Member of USEA Executive Committee and Board of Governors, FEI Eventing Chief Steward and “R” TD, Chair of USEF Eventing Committee
• Jo Whitehouse, CEO of the United States Eventing Association
• Derek DiGrazia – FEI “I” Eventing course designer, USEF “R” course designer; and member of the USEF committees on Drugs and Medications, Eventing and High Performance Eventing
• Dr. William Brooks, Physician at Neurosurgical Associates in Lexington, Ky. He has served as Chief Medical Officer for the Rolex Kentucky 3-day Event for the more than 20 years, and is former chairman of the USPC Safety Committee
• Bill Moroney, President of the United States Hunter Jumper Association and member of USEF Board of Directors
• Robert Costello, member of USEF Board of Directors and former Olympian in Three-Day Eventing
• Shelly Lambert, Horse Trials and Three-Day Eventing Organizer at the Horse Park of Florida in Ocala
• Melinda Roalstad – served as the first fulltime medical director for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, and professionalized the medical programs and services for USSA.

For more information, please contact Maria Partlow, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at (859) 258-6941 or by email at [email protected].