May 31, 2023
Foreign participants in U.S. national events will be required to join the U.S. federation as competing members and undergo Safe Sport training effective Sept. 31.
The new rule adopted by the USEF board of directors does not apply to participants in FEI (International Equestrian Federation) events.
The federation said in a statement the new requirement replaces the policy that foreign participants needed only to demonstrate good standing with their national federation.
The aim of the change was “to strive for an environment that is safe for our participants and that is free from abuse.”
USEF aims “to ensure all participants are properly trained in abuse prevention,” the statement said. “Awareness of abuse prevention, how to recognize abuse, and how to report abuse is critical to our goal to safeguard our participants.”
Foreign participation in the U.S. has grown significantly in the past decade with about 35 riders representing other countries competing at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida last winter.
