The U.S. Equestrian Federation and U.S. Hunter Jumper Association announced a moratorium on Federation-generated protest measurements for the rest of the 2015 competition year on Feb. 23. This change will not preclude members from protesting the height of ponies and horses owned by other members.
The USEF Rule Book has long contained a rarely used rule that allows the USEF to re-measure an eligible animal. A Federation-generated protest measurement of two ponies showing at the Kentucky National Horse Show on Sept. 15 last year reignited a long-standing debate surrounding pony sizing.
The USHJA’s Measurement Task Force has been addressing ways to improve the current measurement system, but they didn’t settle on a resolution by the end of the 2014 USHJA Annual Meeting (Nev.), and the rule clarifying how a Federation-mandated protest measurement would operate wasn’t ready by the end of the USEF Annual Meeting (Ky.) in January either.
“To me, when we left the USHJA Annual Meeting it was pretty clear we were still a divided field,” said USHJA Hunter Working Group chair Mary Babick. “I think the Pony Committee felt strongly that their recommendations were correct, and Bill [Moroney] and I and [USEF President] Chrystine Tauber did not share those same feelings. Specifically, the committee wanted a height variance. We needed time to work on the development of our stick, but at the same time we needed to let our members know we weren’t going to go forward with something that the membership considered unfair.
“I didn’t agree with all the complaints that people had about the measurement, but I did listen,” said Babick. “That’s why we decided that we’d get our process straightened out and tell people where we are, then open up the Federation-generated protest measurements.”
The USEF’s action plan, laid out in the organization’s press release, includes:
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- An enhanced measurement device
- An appropriate height variance for equines identified for a USEF measurement verification
- An age limit for a USEF measurement verification
- A limit to USEF measurement verification to once in each equine’s lifetime
- Options for owners to present their equine for a Federation measurement verification at either the competition where it was selected or at an appeal measurement
- Educational materials for owners, trainers, riders and officials
- An enhanced training program for measurement officials and personnel
Babick explained that one other suggestion that has made the rounds—remeasuring all animals with measurement cards—is not on the table at the moment, as it’s prohibitively difficult on the technical side.
The age limit should keep an older pony who may have significant changes to his hooves from being selected, though the cutoff age is still in discussion.
Many pony professionals voiced concerned that a leased pony would be selected for a protest measurement with trainers who don’t know how to prepare a pony properly. An appeal measurement would give them the option to wait to re-measure the animal, then undergo more stringent measurement that includes drug testing.
The USHJA and USEF encouraged all owners and trainers to do their research in conducting any purchase or lease transactions involving equines that require measurement.
“I want the general public to understand when they buy something or lease something they need to do that due diligence,” said Babick. “I think most people are straightforward and honest, but there are a few who aren’t. I don’t want some unsuspecting mother or father to be burdened with an animal that’s not the right size.”
