USEF Leads Us to What's New In Competing in 2025
The following rule changes to the Dressage Chapter of the USEF Rulebook will go into effect for the 2025 competition season, which began on December 1, 2024. The 2025 USEF Rulebook can be found here.
DR120 – Dress, Coats and Jackets: ‘The color of stretch and/or breathable panel(s) in a jacket may be black or the same color as the garment fabric.’ This change clarifies that the stretch/panel is no longer limited to the underarm or on the side of the jacket.
DR120.2 – Weather Conditions: When very cold weather conditions are forecasted on the date of a competition, competition management may publish in its prize list that windbreakers or parkas may be worn, rather than riding jackets, for the duration of the competition. Alternatively, management may announce prior to or during a competition that competitors may wear windbreakers or parkas rather than riding jackets when very cold weather is forecasted. These waivers apply to national classes at a USEF licensed-USDF recognized dressage competition.
DR120.7 – Braces: Back braces, wrist braces, and similar protective wraps that are designed to be worn for therapeutic or protective purposes while riding or unmounted may be worn underneath or outside of clothing in competition or schooling. Body bands, straps, positional devices, and other devices designed to aid rider position are not permitted in competition or schooling.
DR121.2 – Bits: Language has been added to clarify that bits must be attached to the bridle only as intended by design, in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
DR121.15 – Saddlery and Equipment, Mane, Tail and Body: ‘Only standard horse colors that occur naturally on that horse may be added to affect the color of the mane, tail, or body. An existing wound or injury cannot be obscured.’ This update clarifies that while extravagant items are not allowed in the mane, tail, or body, there is no prohibition against discreet yarn colors such as red, blue, etc.
DR122.17 – Placement of Judges for the FEI Children Classes: This information has previously only been available through a memorandum posted on the Federation website but is now added into the Dressage rules.
DR129 – Musical Freestyle Ride: A copy of the USDF score verification verifying eligibility, must be submitted with the entry for a freestyle class, except to enter USEF/USDF Musical Freestyle Championship classes. Qualification of those entries will be verified by USDF. Riders receiving scores within 30 days prior to a competition may submit a copy of the test verifying eligibility.
DR135 – Pony Measurements: If the animal is leased, both the lessee and the lessor must be Federation Active Members in good standing at the time of the measurement. The lease must be recorded with the Federation. See GR1108 for rules pertaining to leases.
DR202.10 – Dressage Sport Horse Breeding - General Regulations: The requirements of DR126.2.d and DR123.9 apply to DSHB divisions and classes, including the requirement to provide shelter from weather for judges at outdoor competitions.
If you have questions regarding these rule changes, contact Lauren Moore, Director, Sport Management Administration, at dressage @ usef.org.
New USEF Rules/Requirements
1. Now riders MUST fill out their USEF drug declaration details online. Take a look at this before you enter a show. Here is the link: 2022 USEF Drug Declaration Form
2. All USEF memberships and horse recordings also must be applied for online directly to USEF and no longer may be submitted on paper forms to show management. Also every horse competing at USEF-recognized shows must have at least a USEF Horse ID or better.
3. Now only one Show Pass may be issued per year to a competitor who is not a USEF member, and that Show Pass must be applied for online directly to USEF.
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