Yes, all Confidential Competition and Licensed Official Evaluation comments are reviewed by USEF staff. The best method to ensure your voice is heard is to provide your written feedback directly to USEF through your member dashboard. Evaluations submitted with feedback regarding standards-related items such as footing, stabling, operations, logistics, etc. are reviewed in detail by Compliance Department staff. If there are questions surrounding the evaluation, the staff person may contact the individual that submitted the form to obtain additional information.

We cannot stress strongly enough that confidentiality is taken seriously by USEF staff. 

The decision to conduct an onsite evaluation is determined through a review of Steward/TD reports, member’s confidential competition evaluations, and discussions with other USEF staff. In addition, we may visit other competitions taking place nearby.

We visit 35-65 competitions across the U.S. each year.

Compliance representatives observe all areas of the showgrounds, including competition and exercise areas, stabling (if offered), parking areas, the show office, etc. as well as areas of concern that previously have been communicated to USEF. In addition, the Compliance representative talks with participants and Stewards/TDs to gather their input because their experiences are an essential component of the onsite compliance evaluation process.

Compliance representatives do not observe or review compliance with tack or equipment requirements, class specifications, specific discipline rules, etc. Any questions received by a Compliance representative regarding these topics will be directed to the Steward/TD of the competition.

• Inadequate competition/schooling/exercise/lunging area footing maintenance
• Uneven stall flooring, gaps under walls/doors, protruding nails, or other possible safety hazards Poor sharps container maintenance or incorrect types of sharps containers onsite 
• Insufficient drainage at horse wash areas
• General lack of facility maintenance, such as broken boards or exposed nails in the paddock areas
• Loose dogs
• Mixed vehicle and horse traffic in a busy or crowded area
• Lack of signage (SafeSport, parking, contact information, etc.

Compliance follows-up with management to confirm if these items have been addressed. In addition, a ‘pre-competition outreach’ email may be sent to the Steward/TD of a future competition at the venue to gather feedback on the documented issues. If they are not being addressed, the Compliance Department may conduct a follow-up visit.