For the past nine months the USEF Competition Date Approval Task Force has worked on a major overhaul of the current “Mileage Rule” which dictates how competition dates are awarded to horse show organizers. As the Task Force examined the process it became apparent that several other important issues involved in the awarding of dates were critical to the improvement of equestrian competition in the United States. These involved the licensing of competitions; establishment and evaluation of competition standards; the timely collection and use of competition data; and the rating of competitions and expansion of USEF support to non-recognized competitions.

“Hundreds of hours of meetings, one-on-one conversations and telephone conferences with affiliates, show organizers and members were spent to develop this recommendation. The Task Force actively sought out the input from representatives of the affected constituencies within the USEF,” said John Long, Chief Executive Officer of the USEF. “It was imperative that their voices be heard and an inclusive process used to prepare this important document.”

The detailed Task Force Recommendations are now posted on the homepage of the USEF website, www.usef.org (click on the“Task Force” button on the right side.) All committees will have the opportunity to review the report and make recommendations to the Board of Directors prior to the annual meeting in Louisville, KY, January 12-16. The proposed rule changes enabling the task force recommendation to go forward will be posted in the same area.

Clarification as of December, 27, 2005: These rule change proposals were deemed extraordinary by the USEF officers on December 15th , 2004 which allows them to go forward to the Board of Directors for consideration in January 2005, in accordance with general rule 342.4. These proposals are being referred to all USEF committees for review. Members can provide comments by sending an email to [email protected] or by writing to John Long, at the USEF Lexington office.

The Task Force recommends that the USEF date approval process, commencing with the competition year beginning December 1, 2005 be in accordance with the following:
• Rules relating to mileage between competitions will be constructed with a more flexible framework and with input from appropriate affiliates to provide for improved regulation of the sport of equestrian by USEF. Procedures for waivers will be modified.
• Competitions in good standing will enter into a three-year USEF License Agreement commencing December 1, 2005. Competitions which meet or exceed standards will be eligible for renewals. Beginning in 2007, longer license periods may be granted for higher-level competitions.
• USEF will modify and enhance the collection, use, and exchange of data related to competitions. Electronic transfer of competition-related data will be required beginning December 1, 2006.
• Further, the competition structure will provide for six levels of competition that will require input from each affiliate. USEF will join with affiliates in expanding contacts and service for affinity groups (those competitions outside the USEF structure).

“It is the USEF mission, and our obligation as the National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport, to exert leadership towards improving our sport for everyone involved at whatever level they compete,” said David O’Connor, President of the USEF. “The recommendations in this report will establish the foundation for a consolidated approach of the USEF, affiliates, competition organizers and most importantly exhibitors, to expand our sport creating new opportunities for everyone.”