USEF Rule change proposals

I guess we saw it coming, and I shouldn’t be surprised…

  1. requiring certified (ASTM or BETA) vest; recommending helmets meet new standard

  2. Level between T and P called “modified” that will have a harder dressage test, jumps at 3’5" instead of 3’7"; events not required to run this level

  3. all events including three-days will open 6 weeks out

[QUOTE=HiJumpGrrl;8276251]
I guess we saw it coming, and I shouldn’t be surprised…

  1. requiring certified (ASTM or BETA) vest; recommending helmets meet new standard

  2. Level between T and P called “modified” that will have a harder dressage test, jumps at 3’5" instead of 3’7"; events not required to run this level

  3. all events including three-days will open 6 weeks out

http://eventingnation.com/usea-unveils-latest-usef-rule-change-proposals/[/QUOTE]
Those seem rather innocuous and thank goodness there is not talk of air vests (yet).

Now this part seemed more worrisome

Country Design Thresholds: The USEA Course Designers Committee is continuing to work on the language for the Levels of Horse Trials Appendix in the USEF Rules for Eventing, as well as the USEA Course Design Guidelines. You’ll remember that proposed changes to this appendix caused quite a stir in the lead-up to last year’s USEA Convention, with the proposal ultimately being withdrawn during the convention

That could be good, better, clearer definitions of the current guidelines, but one thinks it is also ripe to again insert new “language” to scope creep the obstacles deeper into the lower levels. I’d keep the eye on that one.

I like everything the Board has published in this report, http://useventing.com/news/report-usea-board-governors-summer-meeting
and I think the vest requirement is overdue - when I bought mine my friends highly suggested I get the BETA 2009 approved vest and I am glad I did - it was a good investment. I am also excited about the Modified Division, and hope that everyone who wants to supports this whenever it is offered; five years ago, when I was eventing my dear Rugby, my eventing hit a brick wall and if this were in place back then I think many things would have been different for me.

I will state now that as soon as I qualify one of my skins I will TRAVEL to support any modified division offered anywhere close - I sure hope some others do the same. We’ve been asking for this and now they’ve listened - be sure to put your money where your mouth has been, eventers.
The language for the levels doesn’t worry me. I’ve listened and talked to the people who have input on this and I think they are more concerned than anyone in the sport about getting this right. I think they will.

This is really good news, about the modified – I can’t wait. I’m starting to work on my qualifications and my horses TOMORROW for this! I’m emailing all the organizers I know, too, and asking them to consider offering the division – and I’m going to offer to get it sponsored somehow if they do, or offer to pay for prizes or something to help them consider holding it. You bet. I’m in.

[QUOTE=JP60;8276288]
Those seem rather innocuous and thank goodness there is not talk of air vests (yet).

Now this part seemed more worrisome

That could be good, better, clearer definitions of the current guidelines, but one thinks it is also ripe to again insert new “language” to scope creep the obstacles deeper into the lower levels. I’d keep the eye on that one.[/QUOTE]

Not sure where you are quoting from, but the USEA article says

We work to be responsive to the membership and this year we spent a lot of time discussing the need to ensure that the lower levels remain welcoming and to stop the perceived upward “creep” in cross country questions at the lower levels.

and

the Membership Committee is working with the Course Designers Committee on language for Appendix 1 Levels of Horse Trials in the Rules for Eventing and the USEA Course Design Guidelines. The Membership Committee’s focus has been to ensure that the courses are appropriate for the lower levels in particular.

So is the Tipperary vest ( bot mine 4 years ago) considered approved?

Not the tipperary eventer with the laces at the sides. The tipperary pro (released last year I think?) is ASTM approved.

I agree about the modified division and very much hope it gets used. I will absolutely use it once I, you know, can (grumble ditchy horse grumble neurotic stadium rider).

[QUOTE=HiJumpGrrl;8276414]
Not the tipperary eventer with the laces at the sides. The tipperary pro (released last year I think?) is ASTM approved.[/QUOTE]

Thanks!

Sigh. If it passes, I’ll have to get another vest.

[QUOTE=Janet;8276403]
Not sure where you are quoting from, but the USEA article says

and[/QUOTE]
I pulled mine from the EN article. I meant what was said in your post, just said differently. What would show good faith in that regard is an early release of the changes so the masses can take time to read and respond. I look forward for the public release of the rewrite.

I would love a Modified in Canada, but doubt that would ever happen.

Our training and PT divisions are a couple of inches bigger than the US Training and Novice divisions so the gap isn’t as large.

Where I see the issue locally is the move from PT being very simple “go forward and jump the jumps” at PT, to the introduction of multiple questions and challenges at Training. I can’t stand watching the T division any more - too many unprepared horses and riders.

[QUOTE=redalter;8276438]
Thanks!

Sigh. If it passes, I’ll have to get another vest.[/QUOTE]
me too. pitching that to husband will be touchy, but oh well.

[QUOTE=Ibex;8276473]
Our training and PT divisions are a couple of inches bigger than the US Training and Novice divisions so the gap isn’t as large.

Where I see the issue locally is the move from PT being very simple “go forward and jump the jumps” at PT, to the introduction of multiple questions and challenges at Training. I can’t stand watching the T division any more - too many unprepared horses and riders.[/QUOTE]

100% agree. My upgrade from PT to Training was not pretty and I was NOT prepared. If we could get a modified for that I would say that would be even better than a modified for T to P. I couldn’t believe the big difference from PT to Training. Mind boggling! I imagine Prelim isn’t as hard to go to from Training.

[QUOTE=HiJumpGrrl;8276475]
me too. pitching that to husband will be touchy, but oh well.[/QUOTE]

My husband just bought me a new Tipperary with the laces for my birthday this June (early gift) and my student just got the same one from her Grandparents as a B day gift :frowning:

If they change the vest requirements, I feel like they will have to give a year of notice for when the rule will change. This gives those who don’t have tons of money, time to save and buy an approved vest.

Too bad there isn’t a study that a Tipp vest and Air vest are safer than just the tipp itself. Although some would disagree that an air vest is safe anyways.

[QUOTE=LadyB;8277215]
If they change the vest requirements, I feel like they will have to give a year of notice for when the rule will change. [/QUOTE]
Unless it is an extraordinary rule change (and there is no justification for that unless FEI requires certified vests), the earliest it would go into effect would be Dec 1 2016, for the 2017 rule book.

Re: helmets - the new standard is ASTM F1163-13 and it’s TBD whether helmets manufactured to the old standard (04/a) stand up to it. From what I understand from Riders for Helmets, manufacturers can submit existing helmets for testing and then see whether they meet it. So it’s at least possible that many of us own helmets that meet the standard. TBD…

But, by the time this ruling goes into effect, I will need a new helmet anyway, so I’ll probably invest in one then. Have to find out when Helmet Awareness Day 2016 will be, so I can try to buy my helmet then :wink:

[QUOTE=Janet;8277430]
Unless it is an extraordinary rule change (and there is no justification for that unless FEI requires certified vests), the earliest it would go into effect would be Dec 1 2016, for the 2017 rule book.[/QUOTE]

And Canada (where LadyB is) is a year behind that usually…

Hmmm…I’m thinking it might be time to upgrade the Tipperary vest I bought a year before they were first mandated in the rules…

[QUOTE=HiJumpGrrl;8276414]
Not the tipperary eventer with the laces at the sides. The tipperary pro (released last year I think?) is ASTM approved.[/QUOTE]

The Tipperary Pro 3015 still has laces but is ASTM approved: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/tipperary-eventer-pro-11174?cm_mmc=google--nb_apparel_vests--tipperary-_-+tipperary%20+eventer%20+pro%20+vest&utm_source=cpc&utm_medium=google&utm_content=NB_Apparel_Vests&utm_campaign=Tipperary&utm_term=%2Btipperary%20%2Beventer%20%2Bpro%20%2Bvest

I love mine :slight_smile: