Safeguarding Our Sport: Reporting Horse Welfare Concerns and Other Rule Violations at Competitions

It goes without saying that the love of the horse is the foundation of our sport. The majority of those involved with equestrian competition go out of their way to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment and a fair and level playing field. Sometimes despite these efforts situations can occur that endanger this safety and enjoyment—situations that violate the rules and regulations put in place to protect human and equine athletes.

The USHJA and the USEF take safety and horse welfare very seriously, and neither entity has any tolerance for neglect, cruelty or abuse at licensed competitions. As members of these organizations, we take responsibility for our horses' welfare, not only by adhering to the rules and safety guidelines ourselves, but by promising not to turn a blind eye to safety concerns or inappropriate behavior on the part of others.

Competition officials are only able to monitor so much at one time, so the observations and input received from participants and spectators are essential.

To help educate members on the process of reporting an incident at a competition, the USHJA Horse and Rider Advocates Committee has outlined the basic information you should know about the roles of competition officials, what to do if you witness abuse or unethical treatment of a horse, or a rule violation, and how USEF utilizes member feedback and reports received.

Understanding Competition Officials Roles & Responsibilities

At USEF licensed competitions, officials are in place to ensure the rules are being followed and that horse welfare and safety are at the forefront of the competition. While competition management, judges, veterinarians, and stewards all serve a role in maintaining a safe, enjoyable and fair competition environment, the competition steward is the foremost individual responsible for safeguarding the welfare of the horse, and protecting the interests of competitors, judges and competition management by ensuring compliance with the rules. Stewards are specifically trained to deal with reportable issues and responsible for gathering the pertinent facts and evidence available during competitions. Additionally, under the new USEF Warning Card System, if an incident is not severe enough to warrant a formal report to the Federation, stewards and judges have the authority to issue Recorded Warnings and Yellow Warning Cards directly to any competitor, spectator or participant for improper conduct, unsportsmanlike behavior, or a rule violation. These warnings are immediately published on the USEF website, but they do not preclude the Federation from seeking further penalties as set forth in Chapter 7 of the Rules if appropriate.

In addition to the steward, complaints or violations may also be reported to other competition officials such as competition managers, judges or the official competition veterinarian. Individuals can also file a report directly to the Federation using the online reporting forms. 

Ways to Report

There are a couple ways to report incidents of unethical treatment of a horse:.

Reports of Unethical Treatment or Abuse at a Competition
The most immediate and effective way of reporting an incident during a competition is to find or contact the horse show's Official Steward (or another Licensed Official). Stewards are trained and tasked with handling all types of reportable situations, and they will be able to speak with witnesses, collect evidence, and initiate an investigation into the matter. They can also take appropriate action on site, such as issuing a Recorded  Warning or Yellow Warning Card depending on the severity of the misconduct.

Additionally, exhibitors can anonymously submit a report by texting 28733 (2USEF), or by completing the form on the USEF website here.

Reports of Unethical Treatment or Abuse Away from Competition
For concerns regarding unethical treatment or abuse of a horse when not at a USEF-licensed competition, report directly to local authorities as well as the Federation as soon as possible.

Reporting Feedback on a Competition
If you have feedback on any aspect of a competition, the simplest and most basic way is to submit a confidential online competition evaluation form . These evaluations are submitted directly to the Federation and assess all aspects of a competition including footing, facility, officiating, etc. The data collected from these evaluations are used to recommend improvement opportunities for competitions and/or praise competitions for positive feedback.

Though each of these reports can be submitted anonymously, efforts to corroborate anonymous claims present a challenge. Without the cooperation of the reporting party, these reports may lack sufficient information to initiate an investigation, and it may quickly lead to a dead end.  USEF Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, Sonja Keating, explained that “Recognizing the barriers that can deter members from reporting misconduct, USEF adopted a secure and innovative solution to facilitate anonymous submissions. By employing an encrypted, two-way communication platform powered by RealResponse, members have the option to report via text message or WhatsApp. This technology allows staff to interact with the reporting party in an effort to foster dialogue all the while, maintaining anonymity.” As USEF Director of Regulation Emily Pratt assures, "USEF goes to great lengths to protect the identity of the reporting party. We are actively trying to get people more comfortable in reporting and in understanding that their identity is confidential and will not be divulged without their permission."

What to Report

The USEF Rulebook outlines many reportable violations, but it is important to keep in mind that members can complete a confidential report for anything that appears unsafe, unsportsmanlike, is a possible violation of the rules, or is generally unsettling. USEF General Rule 7 (Violations and Penalties) and General Rule Subchapter 8-F (Welfare of the Horse) outline specific violations that are reportable and require investigation. If you witness something you feel is inappropriate, contact an official. Ringside staff will be able to get in contact with the competition steward to request immediate assistance. While waiting for a steward to arrive, or if the steward is unable to witness the violation, there are a few things you can do to help with an investigation:

• Take photos of and/or video the act; include a timestamp if possible
• Note the names and contact information of any individuals and horses involved as well as witnesses. If you do not know this information, make note of physical characteristics of the person, the horse's description, and the back number to provide a description
• Note the location where the misconduct occurred
• Keep a detailed description of what occurred

Often, the matter can be resolved by the steward while at the competition. In other situations, the matter is forwarded to the USEF for further investigation.

What Happens Next

Once reported to the USEF, all non-drug rule violation-related incidents are treated in the same manner and follow the same investigative process. The process can be described in 4 simple steps.

Step One – Report - The Federation will acknowledge receipt of the report within 3 to 5 business days of submission by one of the reporting methods discussed above.

Step Two – Intake - The Federation will undertake a review of the information received, pull records, and determine whether it has jurisdiction over the matter and over the person reported. This step can take up to 14 business days.

Step Three - The Federation will initiate a fact-gathering investigation to obtain as much information as possible. The Federation may interview witnesses, gather any digital or documentary evidence, and, if appropriate, consult with relevant experts. Depending on the complexity of the matter and availability of witnesses, the investigation can take between 30 and 120 days. 

Step Four – Action - The Federation may pursue any of a range of actions from closure of the matter to an informal agreed resolution to formal disciplinary action. If a matter proceeds to disciplinary action, a hearing will be scheduled within 90 days from the issuance of a Disciplinary Action Complaint.

For more information see Bylaw 705.5.

Examples of resolutions can include but are not limited to advisement letters, warning letters, required education or training, Informal Resolutions, or action by the Hearing Committee that could be a suspension and fine.

For more information on the complaint and hearing process, visit the links below:

• USEF Bylaws- Part VII
• USEF Regulation Processes
• Reporting the Unethical Treatment of Horses

Reporting in Good Faith

USEF stresses that for anyone reporting a potential rule violation, it’s important to do so in good faith and with a genuine belief that a rule has been broken. If an allegation turns out to be made maliciously or knowingly false, it could lead to disciplinary action.

Common Concerns

Sometimes, witnesses are reluctant to report incidents or rule violations for fear of repercussions or retribution. Things to keep in mind:

• Reporting incidents as serious as the unethical treatment or abuse of a horse is for the good of the animal and should be everyone's number one priority
• USEF has a Whistleblower and Anti-Retaliation Policy that protects individuals who make reports in good faith and who participate in the disciplinary process.
• USEF ensures that the confidentiality of every witness/reporter is expressly and carefully protected
• Do not discuss your report with other exhibitors who may start rumors or spread the word
• Utilize anonymous reporting opportunities, if available, but understand that anonymous reports may limit the ability for the situation to be followed up thoroughly

The overall intention of USEF's reporting process is to foster ethical practices and accountability. Identifying and addressing problems early on can help in preventing small issues from escalating into larger ones. The true goal is to establish effective communication between all parties to prioritize the horse’s well-being, discourage unfair play, and provide opportunities for greater improvement and overall enjoyment of the sport.