FEI vs USEF/USEA Equipment Rule Changes

[leheath]

Slight spin-off from the bit thread…

So I noticed that in 2016 the FEI approved a bunch of new bits and bridles for FEI Dressage and FEI Eventing dressage. Included, among other things, are a bunch of Myler bits (including those with low ports) and the PS of Sweden High Jump (which I have been drooling over) and Jump Off bridles.

The list can be seen here: https://inside.fei.org/fei/disc/dressage/useful-docs

So my questions is, do the USEA/USEF Eventing rules mirror the FEI rules or are they completely separate? In the other thread, we were discussing Myler Level 2 bits with low ports (e.g. MB04). The way I read the USEA/USEF Eventing rules suggests this bit (and those similar) are not permitted in USEA/USEF Eventing dressage. However, they are clearly described as legal in the USDF/USEF Dressage rules. However, the OP in the other thread asked a judge and TD and they said the low ported Myler’s were USEA/USEF Eventing dressage legal.

I would love to buy a PS of Sweden High Jump bridle, but want to use it in all 3 phases for USEA Eventing and in straight USDF Dressage, so want to be sure it is legal for USEA/USEF and USEF/USDF not just FEI. I can’t find any mention on the USEF site or in the rule book regarding these bridles being approved for USEF/USDF Dressage or USEA/USEF Eventing dressage…

Any thoughts? Is there a central email where one can request clarification on such matters?

[Janet]

The FEI rules for straight dressage
The FEI rules for Eventing dressage
The USEF rules for straight dressage
and
The USEF rules for Eventing dressage

are separate and distinct.

However-
The USEF dressage rules say:
“For any circumstances not specifically covered in these rules reference should be made to the following publications of the FEI:
Rules for Dressage Events
General Regulations”

The USEF rules for Eventing say:
"For any circumstances not specifically covered in these rules, reference should be made to one of the following publications of the FEI:

1. Rules for Eventing
2. Rules for Dressage Events
3. Rules for Jumping Events"

This can result in even more ambiguity.

Yes, there are bits that are legal for Eventing Dressage that are not legal for straight Dressage (e.g., Dr Bristol), and there are bits that are legal for straight Dressage that are not legal for Eventing Dressage (e.g., many of the bits with rollers).

Generally speaking, if the FEI rules change, the corresponding USEF rules will make the same change within 6 months, but not always.

The authority for ALL the rules is Emily Pratt. You can email her and she will forward it to the appropriate person.

But, me, personally, I would send Eventing rules questions to Shealagh Costello, and Dressage rules questions to Hannah Niebielski. Their emails and phone numbers are all on
https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/AboutUs/Staff/Default.aspx

[leheath]

Thank you, that was very helpful! I will contact the relevant parties for clarification.