Lexington, KY— Due to the current economic climate, three Presidential Modifications were approved by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) February 17, 2009, which will effect the 2009 competition year for Hunters.

The changes to the rules are as follows:
1. HU112.5: This will allow for the combining of the Green and Regular Working Hunter Sections at AA competitions when there are not enough to fill. This was approved at the USEF Annual Meeting to go into effect 12.1.09, in an effort to alleviate the pressure to find horses to fill these divisions, this Presidential Modification will move the effective date to 4.1.09.

2. GR904.4: This will allow for the addition of warm up classes or unrated hunter sections to a Competition on an as needed basis. This allows for some flexibility in the schedule. GR904.4 was also approved at the USEF Annual Meeting to go into effect on 12.1.09, this Presidential Modification will move the effective date to 4.1.09.

**GR904.5 still requires 30 days notification to make changes in rated sections.**

3. GR1129.4: Currently at AA competitions, if the A rated Hunter sections do not fill, the remaining prize money must be redistributed 60% to the Champion and 40% to the Reserve Champion of the A rated divisions that do fill. If a horse show sees a significant drop in entries, defined as 10% or greater reduction in entries, the horse show will not be required to award the unused prize money. The competition must fulfill three requirements:

1) The Post Competition Report must reflect that the prize money redistribution did not occur.

2) Notice must be posted in the Competition office, in an area accessible to exhibitors, that if the total number of horses from the previous year has decreased by ten percent (10%) or more, the redistribution of prize money may not occur. This notice must be posted at the start of the competition and must remain posted until the competition is finished.

3) The Stewards’ Report must reflect that exhibitors were notified in the office and must include a copy of what was posted in the office.
This Presidential Modification will go into effect on 3.15.09 and will remain in effect for the remainder of the 2009 year.

A copy of these Presidential Modifications may be obtained by contacting Marion Maybank, Director of Hunters and Collegiate Activities at [email protected].

ENDS