The U.S. Equestrian Federation Executive Committee met Monday, May 19, to discuss extraordinary rule changes submitted by the U.S. Eventing Association Eventing Standards Task Force. Committee members decided to approve the rule that the first fall of a competitor in a USEF or USEA-sanctioned event on cross-country will result in elimination. This rule change is effective immediately.

Other immediate rule changes include a mandatory medical examination for riders involved in an accident where the rider is apparently injured or concussed before that rider can ride another horse. Any rider refusing medical examination will be fined $100.

Another change to the rules regards jump construction. All obstacles constructed after Dec. 1, 2008, for which frangible technology is appropriate, shall be constructed using this technology. Obstacles constructed prior to December 1, 2008, and for which the use of approved frangible technology is appropriate, shall be retrofitted using this technology prior to December 1, 2009. All open oxers at the training level and above must be constructed using approved frangible technology.

USEF and USEA officials are also in the process of developing rules for a “red card” system to penalize dangerous riding.

All of these rule changes reflect action items listed in a letter from USEF President David O’Connor and USEA President Kevin Baumgardner. A copy of that letter can be viewed at: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewpr.aspx?id=3054.