@jvanrens, I think the combination of freeze branding and microchipping is probably the best safety net you can give a horse.
I wish the Arabian Horse Association still supported freeze branding with registration numbers. I’d do that in a heartbeat if I could.
for the average owner, a microchip is such a simple layer of protection. Just one more way to protect their horse. It confounds me that people try to make it an issue of something that prevents the average owner from going to a show. This is going to flip SO many wigs. They will probably scream about it while drinking their Starbucks and texting on their iPhones
"1. All horses competing in Federation licensed competitions must be properly identified. "
I wish that had been stated slightly differently. Most USEA events I compete at are “Federation licensed competitions.” I don’t compete in those divisions but the “competition” (such as: name of any event that includes a Prelim division) has been licensed. But of course licensed only for those divisions.
Unless I’m totally wrong (known to happen) and literally ALL horse on the grounds of a competition that includes USEF divisions need to be chipped.
Not sure why this is a big deal either way.
Except that what it actually says is “All horses competing at Federation Licensed and Endorsed competitions…”
So that includes all the levels of Eventing, including USEF Endorsed Horse Trials that only have BN, N and T
To clarify, are you saying that if you are running Novice at a competition that also happens to be running Preliminary you must also be chipped? And If you are running Novice at completion that doesn’t run Preliminary or above you don’t?
Because I don’t think including “endorsed” makes that any clearer. Is the “competition” the whole event or is it the “competition” considered the division that is USEF recognized. Does the USEF “endorse” the entire show or just the divisions. None of that is clear to me by the way the rule is written with or without “endorsed.”
There are other rules that apply to the USEF recognized divisions at a horse trials that don’t effect the unrecognized divisions. I don’t know how this rule has been stated differently than those other rules–why this one applies but others don’t.
Absolutely NOT.
The clear intention is that is that, if you are running Novice at a USEA recognized competition, (regardless of the USEF recognized vs endorsed) your horse must be chipped. It doesn’t matter what other levels re offered at the competition.
I have been part of several committee meetings (USEA and USEF) where this was discussed, and I am absolutely positive this is the intention.
BTW, I do not know why people keep talking about “Prelim and above”. Modified is also a USEF licensed level.
Oh I don’t doubt you at all–and I’m appreciative that you and other intimately involved with rules post on COTH to clarify things. While the intention may be technically clear as the rule is written to those of you familiar with all the ins and outs of the sports governance, it may not be clear to those of us that aren’t so seeped in them.
I’ve rode in my first recognized H.T in 1979. Have ridden all the way up the levels. I stay at the lower levels these days. I don’t think I’m stupid, but the rule is not clear to me. I have assumed in all the things I’ve seen on this issue (which isn’t a lot) that it was just another hoop for Modify and above. And while I’ve not read much I’ve probably read more about it than the average rider–especially considering I’ve read the rule itself.
We fill out our entry forms. If you are riding Modify or above you have a more fees to pay to the USEF, your horse has to have additional USEF registration, you have to pay USEF dues. This leads us to think of those as the “USEF divisions.” If you are riding Training and below (the vast majority of eventers) you don’t pay those fees or need those additional hoops so you don’t identify yourself with the USEF. We are used to the concept that the rules can be a little different here and there for those USEF divisions and they don’t affect us if we aren’t riding in those divisions. Most people probably still think the “Rules for Eventing” are a product of the USEA–understandably mislead when you consider they are a major discussion topic at the USEA convention, in the USEA publications.
YOU might understand the technical definitions of “endorsed” and “recognized” and between the difference in oversight of the sport between the “USEA” and the “USEF” but I guaranteed you there is a huge swath of lower level riders who don’t. And who will make the or come to the same incorrect conclusions that I did.
I hope there is a good awareness campaign being prepared.
I agree they need to do a better job of getting the word out.
I should probably add that I have no problems with the rule change at all, even learning it affects me. I had already decided that mine should probably be chipped just as a point of good stewardship and had already planned to discuss it with my vet and have it done the next time he’s around.
The best part of this is (assuming your horse gets scanned for jogs and/or check in), you too may get to play that fun game called “where’s the chip!?!”
It’s like Where’s the Beef? but for the 21st century 
It’s more about the ever increasing USEF crap with zero ROI.
I’ve got a road pony. I am to the point of avoiding USEF shows when at all possible. Last year I showed at one USEF show and was told that since I was showing in an amateur class, I couldn’t do show pass and had to have a full membership & do all of their crap - for 2 classes at one show. I was annoyed enough if I hadn’t been with a trainer, I would have packed up and left.
You know what happened this year? I didn’t go to that show. There’s enough non-rated shows in my area that I don’t need to spend $80+ for USEF, which does less than nothing for me as an amateur in the saddleseat ranks, plus the SafeSport hassles when I never see a lesson kid. For you guys in amateur sport horses, USEF doesn’t do much, but they do more than they will ever do for me. All they are for me is an ever growing admin/cost burden which I don’t need for something that is a hobby.
If this was the complaint, I fully understand. I already go to unrated shows due to the fees.
It wasn’t and was more along the lines of conspiracy and ridiculousness.
I’ve always been shocked that AHA and the other handful of breeds haven’t broken away from USEF.
Things have changed a lot since the ASHA days.
I don’t know about the other breeds, but, contrary to the moaning and groaning of certain members, I don’t see any way AHA breaks away from USEF anytime soon. There’s no way the organization can afford to run its own drug testing, licensed officials, etc. programs. They can’t even keep their website online half the time…
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