September 2024 Issue

Page 38 September 2024 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN USEF Rule Change Expands Scope of Abuse Reporting By Amy Worden A video of Britain’s most successful dressage rider, Charlotte Dujardin, repeatedly whipping a horse during a lesson she was teaching, released shortly before the Paris Olympics began, shocked the world. There were immediate calls to end dressage in the Olympics and to eliminate equestrian com- petition in the games altogether. Dujardin, the odds-on favor- ite to bring home the gold for the UK, withdrew from competition and apologized, saying she was “deeply ashamed” about her behavior. With the spotlight on animal abuse at the highest echelon of horse sports, the United States Equestrian Federation, the governing body for equine competition in the U.S., approved a sweeping “extraordinary rule change” aimed at better pro- tecting thousands of horses that compete in its sanctioned events. Approved in June, the rule allows USEF to “expand the scope” of its jurisdiction to in- clude unethical treatment that oc- curs beyond the show grounds to offsite locations, such as private farms and stables. The rule affects some 80,000 USEF members and 2,200 events. The rule covers any person who holds or who has held a federation membership or partic- ipated in an event the federation licensed or endorsed, including, riders, drivers, trainers, coaches, grooms, veterinarians and support staff. The rule better defines “un- ethical treatment” and requires reporting of such treatment at a competition to a licensed official and to the USEF and local authorities if it occurs offsite. It also clarifies that competition management is empowered to eliminate or disqualify exhibitors or issue warnings for instances of unethical treatment of horses. Under the rule, “unethical treatment” includes: misuse or excessive use of a whip, spurs or bit; misuse of any equipment or device, including tack; hyper- or hyposensitization of any physical part of a horse to enhance perfor- mance; using devices or objects to enhance a covered horse’s per- formance based on fear; training, riding or competing a horse with raw, bleeding or irritated skin or welts consistent with excessive, persistent or inappropriate use of equipment, including spur; and continued riding, driving or longeing an obviously exhausted, lame or injured horse. In an email to East Coast Equestrian, USEF did not indi- cate there was a specific incident that prompted the change, rather the organization said: “USEF is consistently looking at how we can better support our equine partners. Horse safety, health, and well-being have been and continue to be top priorities for USEF.“ However, news reports attri- bute the change to public outcry around the disturbing abuse caught on video in early 2024 in- volving the now-suspended U.S.- based dressage rider Cesar Parra, that took place at his stables. When the rule change proposal was first raised almost a year ago at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s annual meeting, it drew controversy, with some suggesting it was an overreach, would be impossible to police and would potentially subject anyone reporting abuse to retaliation, The Chronicle of the Horse reported. The federation said, depend- ing on the location, law enforce- ment may either be required or encouraged to be contacted. The organization said it receives fewer than 50 reports of horse welfare concerns each year. The rule change goes into effect December 1 for the 2025 competition year. Distribution on the grounds of the Maryland 5 Star —one of only 7 five star events worldwide! The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill Preview! Coming in the October issue of East Coast Equestrian! Deadline: September 9! (717) 509-9800  www.eastcoastequestrian.net Reserve your ad today! Plus! Bonus distribution at the PA National Horse Show, the Washington International Horse Show, Princeton Show Jumping events, Swan Lake events and more!