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Here you can find stories from the USEF Insider, a twice-monthly email newsletter packed with features about USEF people and programs, including our drugs and medications program, regulations, and competitions departments.

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What’s Happening With That Rule? Updated Return To Sport Requirements

by Kimberly Loushin | May 18, 2026

One of the General Rule change proposals that’s been in our system for quite a while is Tracking 065-24, which pertains to Concussions, Injuries, and Return to Sport. This rule change proposal was first introduced in 2024 and has generated a lot of robust discussion. It is in its fourth draft as proponents amended the proposal in response to comments from USEF Committees and Recognized Affiliates. The current draft would require participants who have fallen at a competition to be

USEF's Human and Equine Safety and Welfare Committee Focuses on Feedback-Driven Initiatives

by Kimberly Loushin | May 11, 2026

As the US Equestrian Human and Equine Safety and Welfare Committee sat down in person this spring to evaluate their priorities for the next two years, they knew they wanted to focus their efforts on having a meaningful impact. They’ve created a priority list based on group discussions and member inquiries, and as it continues its work, the Committee wants to involve membership and other stakeholders to gather feedback to guide their priorities. “The committee wants to involve

Taking a Closer Look at: Altrenogest

by Kimberly Loushin | May 11, 2026

Altrenogest, which is commercially sold as Regu-Mate, is an FDA-approved synthetic progesterone used to suppress estrus and seasonal behaviors in competing horses and aid in breeding practices with broodmares. Altrenogest, or any other progestogen, is also prohibited for use in stallions and geldings while competing in USEF-licensed competitions because it has no legitimate therapeutic use in male horses and has been historically used as a calming agent. The prohibition of altenogest, or any

The Last Gift: Linda Bird Found Healing with a Personable Draft Cross Named Mocha

by Kimberly Loushin | May 11, 2026

For nearly a year, Linda Bird and her husband Lonnie searched for her next horse before they came across one she described as the almost-perfect horse. Young and handsome, the dark bay had basic under saddle training, but he was way above budget. Though he reacted dramatically to the simplest things, Bird clicked with the draft- cross gelding immediately during the trial ride. Linda Bird with Mocha. Photo courtesy of Linda Bird Despite the monetary disparity, Lonnie insisted they buy him

Taking A Closer Look At: Methocarbamol

by Natalie Voss | April 27, 2026

Methocarbamol, frequently known by its trade name of Robaxin, is a widely used therapeutic medication in horses. It’s also one of the medications we have recently seen the most overages for. Most people think of methocarbamol as a muscle relaxant that’s used to manage horses who tie up after exercise, or who are struggling with muscle spasms or muscle pain related to an injury. It’s frequently prescribed for back soreness. You may have heard some buzz about methocarbamol

Meet Our Board Members: Diane Pitts

by Kimberly Loushin | April 26, 2026

For Diane Pitts, her entrance to the horse world and eventually equestrian governance was the result of a request from her youngest son, who came home one day and said he wanted to start riding. She signed him up for a camp, not knowing it would become a lifetime passion for him, or that the horse world would become a mainstay in her life. Prior to that, Pitts, who grew up in a globe-trotting Army family, had limited horse exposure, largely through a few leisurely trail rides, though some of

How Does Someone Join the US Equestrian Board of Directors?

by Natalie Voss | April 26, 2026

We know members are curious about the decisionmakers who lead the US Equestrian Federation. Some of you may be wondering how board members are elected and who each one represents. The USEF bylaws outline the makeup of the Federation’s board. The board is comprised of 21 individuals, with seats divided between various groups to give representation to a range of stakeholders. As the governing body of Olympic and Paralympic sports, USEF also must adhere to the federal law, which mandates

US Equestrian Allocates $100,000 to Safety Vest Study, Adds $100,000 to Chromatic Fund as Part of Ongoing Commitment to Research

by Natalie Voss | April 9, 2026

US Equestrian is pleased to announce that the Federation has committed $100,000 over two years toward an ongoing, international research effort into equestrian safety vests. The decision was made at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors in February. While equestrian riding helmets have a standardized system for testing and rating products from different manufacturers, there is far less standardization of rating safety vests in equestrian sports. Many international ratings systems are

USEF Mythbusters: Microchips Are For Biosecurity, Not Pedigree Verification

by Natalie Voss | March 20, 2026

As we near the implementation date of the US Equestrian rule requiring microchips to be on file for all horses participating in endorsed competitions, you may be hearing continued buzz about why the USEF board passed this rule back in 2023. Earlier this year, a presidential modification delayed implementation of this rule from Dec. 1, 2025 to Dec. 1, 2026. (If you are one of many members who got your horse’s microchip implanted and on their record last year, we thank you for your

Clarity, Obedience, Care, Loyalty: A Few of the Ingredients To Successful Governance

by Danielle Henson | March 18, 2026

From the outside, it can be hard to know how governing bodies like US Equestrian should (and shouldn’t) function internally and externally. In a presentation at the 2026 USEF Annual meeting, Dr. David Patterson, Senior Governance Advisor at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) offered a thoughtful and practical framework for effective governance, grounded in shared values, clear roles, and principled leadership. At its core, the discussion emphasized that sport (and

US Equestrian and Safe Sport: Who, What, and Why

by Natalie Voss | March 18, 2026

If you compete in US Equestrian-sanctioned events, you receive a prompt each year to complete a refresher of Safe Sport training – but do you know how this program came about, or what happens if someone violates one of the policies? First of all, it’s important to know that Safe Sport is a global initiative to promote an abuse and harassment free culture in sport, and is not limited to equestrian sports. In the mid-2010s, a number of USA Olympic sports faced crises as

Horse Suspensions Included in New Penalty Guidelines for Drugs & Medications Cases

by Natalie Voss | March 5, 2026

In February, the USEF Board adopted new penalty guidelines for drugs and medications cases, which will guide both informal resolutions and cases before the Hearing Committee. You can find a link to the full guidelines here . The updated guidelines were designed with three goals in mind: Enhance member awareness of the process and promote understanding of what to expect if they are notified of a positive finding. Better reflect how penalties for certain substances are currently treated.