On May 21, 2020, the USEF approved many additional modifications to USEF rules to address issues related to the effects of COVID-19. The most recent modifications are included below as they pertain to hunters and jumpers. For the full listing of rule modifications, click here.
The modifications listed below are effective immediately and remain in effect for the remainder of the 2020 competition year.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Food and Beverage – GR1216, DR126.3, HJ105.1 and HJ107
All Breeds/Disciplines; additional specifics for Dressage, Hunter, Jumper & H/J Licensed Competitions
- Waives the requirement to make food available and changes it to an option. Details the minimum requirements for providing water for participants.
Judges’ Use of Cell Phones – GR1033.3
All breeds/disciplines
- Issues a clarification to the existing rule to better accommodate the use of cell phone or other electronic device technology to relay scores and other information in an effort to minimize the physical exchange of paper.
Jogging, Conformation and Model – HU118.3, HU121, HU130.d, HU136.7, and HU123.6
Hunter and H/J-Licensed Competitions
- Jogging – The traditional manner of jogging for soundness in hunter classes is waived, and horses will now jog for soundness under saddle by trotting a circle on a loose rein at the end of each over fences performance.
- Pony Hunter and Three Year Old Hunter Model and Conformation Classes – The requirement for model and conformation classes has been waived in the “A”-rated Regular and Green Pony Hunter sections, as well as the Three-Year-Old Hunter section. If model or conformation classes are held, handlers must comply with social distancing guidelines.
- Green and High Performance Conformation Hunter – Handlers in model classes and conformation classes in the Green and High Performance Conformation Hunter sections must comply with social distancing guidelines.
USEF Entry Blank – GR908.5, GR908.6 and GR916
All breeds and disciplines
Removed language regarding the USEF Release, Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Indemnification which is no longer relevant due to the existence of a new USEF Release, Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Indemnification.
Horse Entry Standard – HJ101, HJ104, HJ109, HJ110, HJ111, HJ112 and HJ113
Hunter & H/J Licensed Competitions
The Horse Entry Standard for Premier, National, Two-Day Restricted Junior Amateur, Regional I and Regional II hunter rated competitions is waived. Competitions will NOT be reclassified to a lower rating based on the Horse Entry Standard.
Hunter Prize Money – HJ109.7c
Hunter & H/J Licensed Competitions
Premier and National hunter rated competitions must continue to offer a minimum of $24,000 at Premier and $5,000 at National hunter rated competitions in the rated hunter sections. However, at Premier hunter rated competitions, if sections are canceled or entries are insufficient to award all prize money, competitions will NOT be required to pool and redistribute additional money not awarded to the champions and the reserve champions of the remaining “A” rated hunter sections. These competitions will NOT be reclassified to a lower rating based on the amount of hunter prize money paid.
Combining and Dividing of Sections or Classes – HU155, HU158, HU162.1 and HU162.5
Hunter & H/J Licensed Competitions
Adds language providing guidance on combining and dividing of sections or classes.
Paramedics – HJ105.1h
Hunter & H/J Licensed Competitions
If the services of a Paramedic cannot be secured for a Premier hunter rated competition, an EMT may be substituted.
Officiating Limitations for Stewards and Technical Delegates – GR1034
All breeds and disciplines
The limitations of GR 1034.4, GR 1034.5 and GR 1034.6 are waived. These rules limited the number of times a steward or technical delegate could officiate in a specific area or at a specific competition within a certain period of time.
Officiating Limitations for Judges – GR1038.4, GR1038.5 and GR1038.6
All breeds and disciplines
The limitations of GR 1038.4, GR 1038.5 and GR 1038.6 are waived. These rules limited the number of times a judge could officiate in a specific area or specific competition within a certain period of time.
Competition Cancellation Fee
The competition cancellation fee is waived for the remainder of the 2020 competition year.
For questions regarding any of these rule modifications, please contact Katlynn Sacco at: ksacco@usef.org.