Paging a steward! Rider is 18, can she sign as trainer?

[hillary_again]

Question here: rider is in last year of showing as a junior, but is 18. Can she now sign her entry blank as her own trainer?

Background: rider is going to a large show out of state and trainer is not sure she will be able to attend. So, rider wants to submit entry and sign as her own trainer.

Follow up question: can trainer sign as trainer, even if not attending the show?

[Janet]

USEF defines “age”:

GR103 Age (of Individual)

1. The age of an individual on December 1 will be maintained throughout the entire competition year.
2. Persons born on December 1 will assume the greater age on that date.
3. If a competition is in progress on any November 30, an individual’s age at the start of the competition will be maintained throughout the competition.
4. Exceptions: see GR150, EV104, DC912, DR119.3, EN102, RN104 and PF106.1-.4.

The definition is the same whether it is being able to compete as a junior, or sign as a trainer.

So, if she is competing as a Junior, she can NOT sign as a trainer.

Here is the USEF definition of Trainer

GR148 Trainer

1. Any adult, or adults who has the responsibility for the care, training, custody, or performance of a horse.
2. Said person must sign the entry blank of any Licensed Competition whether said person be an owner, rider, agent and/or coach as well as trainer.
3. Where a minor exhibitor has no trainer, a parent or guardian must sign and assume responsibility of trainer.
4. The name of the trainer must be designated as such on the entry blank. See also GR404.

The USEF doesn’t require the Trainer to be present at the show.

BUT the USEF will hold the Trainer responsible for any violations related to “care, training, custody, or performance of a horse” - especially any drug violations - whether the trainer is present or not. So the TRAINER may not be willing to sign the entry blank if they are not going to be there, and I would not blame them.

(I am not a steward, but I am a TD.)

The usual practice, when the regular trainer can not or will not sign as Trainer on the entry blank, is to have a parent sign as Trainer.

[hillary_again]

Thanks Janet!
The rulebook wording is inconsistent and thus the confusion between “junior exhibitor” and “minor” and other terms:
GR908 General

1. Entries must be made in writing and signed by the (1) exhibitor (2) the rider, driver, handler, vaulter or longeur, (3) the trainer, and (4) the coach, if applicable, or by the agent(s) of such person(s) and must be accompanied by funds to cover entry fees, stall fees and Federation fee (see GR208.1). In the case of a rider, driver, handler, vaulter or longeur under 18, his/her parent or guardian, or if not available, the trainer, must sign an entry blank on the minor’s behalf.

and the GR148 rule that you cited, “3. Where a minor exhibitor…”.

I agree with the point that you made (trainer’s responsibility wrt violations, whether present or not) - trainer may not want to sign, very understandable.

Parent does not want to have to join USEF, etc to sign as Trainer for this one show.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your knowledge! I love this forum - I’ve learned so much over the years.

[Janet]

You can email the USEF for an official answer.

[Demerara_Stables]

@Janet

Where a minor exhibitor has no trainer, a parent or guardian must sign and assume responsibility of trainer.

But this person is not a minor, so this part would not apply, correct?

[skydy]

They are a Junior (or minor) under USEF rules, as Janet explained.

GR 128 Junior

1. An individual who has not reached their 18th birthday as of December 1 of the current competition year.

[Demerara_Stables]

@hillary_again

rider is in last year of showing as a junior, but is 18

Then I’m not sure how she could be showing as a junior if she’s already 18?

[Rel6]

Look at Janet’s post - she quotes the USEF language explaining this. Your “showing age” is not your actual age. 99% of juniors are 18 at some point during their last junior year.

[Demerara_Stables]

Thanks.

I guess I still feel the way OP does - wording looks inconsistent, so it’s not clear if this person is still considered a “minor” (though legally an adult), since they were not yet 18 on December 1 of the show year. 🤷

[hillary_again]

@Janet, I definitely will have the parent contact USEF HQ for a definitive answer. Thanks again!

[eclipse]

@Demerara_Stables

Then I’m not sure how she could be showing as a junior if she’s already 18

Because she wasn’t 18 as of the start of the show year…… you hold your age status until the end of the current show year (December to December)! Same in Canada

[findeight]

Just like horses all have January 1st as their “ birthday” for most competition purposes. Otherwise age splits would be a nightmare.

BTW its not just Juniors, it applies in the Ammy divisions as well,

[lcw579]

This was 10 years ago, but my daughter showed all the time without a trainer at A shows and I signed for her. In fact even when she had a trainer with her I signed since our pony was never in the care or control of anyone other than her. I never had to join USEF. I don’t know whether this has changed or not.

[skydy]

It has changed.

[hillary_again]

Yes, this did change. Now, parent would sign as trainer, just as before, but must have a Competing membership with USEF and in this case, USHJA as well.

[lcw579]

Can a kid just not have a trainer anymore and just have a parent sign as a parent? I’m too lazy to look through the rules but that I’m thinking about it I think that’s what we did.

[lcw579]

A nice money grab for all!

[skydy]

Yes, the parent can sign, but they have to be a member of USEF, and the parent in question doesn’t want to join USEF, to sign as trainer for one show.

Safe Sport is a consideration as well as someone being responsible if the horse tests for a drug violation.

[lcw579]

Interesting because our entries back in the day were just her and me. Pony was drug tested once or twice. So if we weren’t playing by the rules who would have been penalized? Would they penalize a junior with a pony at home?

Back then there were a few mother/daughter duos that traveled without a trainer so this rule would really have been a PIA.

[hillary_again]

My mom signed my entry blank, too. Sadly, this changed, last year or so. So now, parent can sign, but must be a competing member. Yup, more fees!