For many horse people, the holiday season means a break in competition and a trip to their discipline’s annual national convention to attend to the business of equestrian sport.

The U.S. Dressage Federation, U.S. Eventing Association and U.S. Hunter Jumper Association will all hold their annual meetings in the next two weeks, and one of the main orders of business across these disciplines will be discussion of proposed rule changes.

One of the core missions of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, as the overall “umbrella” organization and national governing body, is to regulate the sport. This includes publishing and enforcing all general, breed and discipline rules. During their annual meeting in Lexington, Ky., in January, the USEF Board of Directors will review and vote on every rule change proposal which has been presented.

However, the majority of rule changes that are considered for implementation by the USEF actually originate from individuals, breed/discipline committees and affiliates. Therefore, affiliate conventions for the USDF, USEA and USHJA provide ample opportunity for individual members’ voices and opinions to be heard.

Dressage

Dressage enthusiasts will gather this week in Jacksonville, Fla., for the USDF National Convention & Symposium. Several extensive revisions have been proposed by the USEF Dressage Committee to incorporate Fédération Equestre Internationale rule changes in definitions and directives for gaits and movements in a continuing effort to maintain consistency between USEF and FEI rules.

Other proposals simply provide clarification for existing rules regarding competition levels, saddlery, tests, pas de deux/quadrille levels and pony measurement.

The anticipated bulk of rules conversation will be regarding requirements for protective headgear, the “hot topic” of the year. Five different proposals have been submitted from individuals and the Dressage Committee, and each would require riders to wear helmets at varying levels. Debate will likely center upon three issues: at which age should riders be required to wear helmets (riders under 18 only?); at what level (national vs. FEI-level tests); and enforcement (will show officials need to check rider ages and helmets’ ASTM/SEI certification for every exhibitor?).

Eventing

Only eight rule changes have been submitted for the Eventing (EV) section of the Rule Book, but these proposals are sure to generate numerous debates during the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, Dec. 8-12, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Eventers will mirror their dressage counterparts in reviewing a proposed requirement for ASTM/SEI protective headgear at all times while mounted, including during the dressage phase, where top hats and hunt caps are currently a popular option.

USEF Eventing Committee has also proposed the appointment of rider representatives at all horse trials, from training level through advanced. The intent of this proposal is “to improve the current system and provide competitors with a better vehicle by which to address their concerns to officials.”

Additional rule change proposals clarify the eligibility of horses and riders for particular levels, the submission of entries and cross-country scoring differentiations between elimination and rider falls. Issues surrounding rider safety also continue to demand attention, and a proposal for Rule EV113 further addresses head injuries and mandatory suspension periods by implementing additional requirements for competitors who have been subjected to a head injury or other type of injury that may result in concussion.

Hunter/Jumper

At the USHJA Annual Meeting, Dec. 6-9, in San Antonio, Texas, attendees will discuss 185 proposed rule changes. The USHJA has proposed that beginning with the 2012 competition year, ownership and administration of the USEF Pony Finals, Junior Finals, Medal Finals, Breeding Finals, Junior Jumper Finals and Pony Jumper Finals will be transferred from USEF to USHJA.

Another hot topic will be rule change proposals that would prohibit riders from cross-entering between pony hunters and junior hunters at the same competition. This proposal would impact smaller competitions, which are dependent upon the same riders competing in both divisions in order to fill the classes.

Additional proposed clarifications include revision of hunter schooling rules to be more consistent with the jumper division, and nationalizing specifications for children’s, adult amateur and pre-green hunters and jumpers.

General Rules

Rule change proposals within the General section of the USEF Rule Book can affect competitions across all breeds and disciplines, and therefore should not be overlooked. Several changes have been proposed which would impact how competitions are conducted, including changes to competition ratings, points which may be earned, acceptance of electronic signatures on entries and further revisions to the warning card process.

Several legal issues are likely to generate lively debate, including liability for loose dogs on show grounds, authorization of emergency veterinary treatment if a horse’s owner cannot be reached, and definition and proof of amateur status.

Finally, in a dramatic policy shift that already has breed and discipline committees buzzing, the USEF Administration & Finance Committee has submitted multiple proposals that would require USEF membership for every exhibitor at a licensed competition. The intent would be “to provide member benefits to all competitors in USEF licensed competitions and to help facilitate a more efficient show office experience by requiring membership credentials for all exhibitors.” If passed, these new rules would eliminate the current option of a non-member being allowed to compete with payment of non-member fees at a show.

A complete listing of rule change proposals is available on the USEF website for public review. Members are encouraged to comment on proposals, and these comments will be forwarded by the USEF office to the proponent of the proposed rule change.

The deadline for member comments is Jan. 2. All rule change proposals will receive final consideration by the USEF Board of Directors during the USEF Annual Meeting, Jan. 19-23.