Usea Legal Bits 2021

c. A rounded flange of metal, leather, rubber or plastics is permitted for all tests. A chest plate may be used. For drawings of the authorised nose-tip and strips, see Appendix 1. The acceptable bits for a given test shall be given on each test. Martingales, bit guards, any type of device (such as rolling, side, racing or balancing reins, etc.), reins with buckles or hand ties, any type of boots or leg bandages and any form of turn signals, including earmuffs, earplugs, hoods and seat covers are strictly prohibited under penalty of removal. Earplugs are approved for all tests and can also reduce noise. However, earplugs should not cover the horse`s eyes and earplugs are not allowed. Earplugs should be discreet in color and design. If so, you`re not alone. Whether you are an official, commissioner or competitor, there is confusion about what is legal and allowed in national competitions. The USEF Technical Eventing Committee argued that eventing in the United States must follow the FEI`s eventing rules, which in turn follow the FEI`s dressage rules. As we have seen, the rules can change during a given R&D&I year! The FEI does NOT recognize the little belligerent as legal, according to emails sent last year to Axel Steiner, Janine Malone and eventually Linda Zang who followed this issue.

That`s what our USEF National Dressage Rules do. Conversely, the FEI now allows the KK flange with the small vertical disc in the middle of the roller piece, but not the USEF National Dressage Committee. The FEI also does not authorize Dr. Bristol. The dressage and eventing disciplines allow Dr. Bristol in our US national competitions My suggestion is that for USEF national eventing competitions, we accept the same parts as USEF national dressage competitions to keep things simple. After all, the majority of our members do not participate in FEI competitions, but they transcend discussions at the national level. Once participants participate in an international eventing competition, it is hoped that they know the rules or at least consult someone who does. I`d be interested to know how competitors feel.

The dressage competitions for CCI2*-A, CCI2*-B and CCI3*-B have been modified for 2021 and a CCI* competition will also be published in January. In response to the increase in demand, the USEF Eventing Sports Committee recently discussed the permissible parts for the dressage phase during FEI eventing competitions and national equine competitions/three-day events under USEF rules. For now, we hope the following overview provides clarity: PARTS ALLOWED FOR DRESSAGE – FEI EVENTING COMPETITIONS: Please note that, with some exceptions, the only parts approved for dressage testing of FEI eventing competitions are those specifically listed in Article 428 of the FEI Dressage Rules and in the “Summary of New Equipment/Equipment for FEI Dressage Events 2016”. a few other approved items can be found in the “Information about Tack/Equipment approved for FEI Dressage events” section under the summary. In the past, it seemed permissible to combine any approved ring or cheek with any approved dentition. The FEI has informed us that this is no longer allowed. The bits used for the dressage phase of FEI eventing competitions must be exactly as indicated. For the few exceptions to the dressage rules, please refer to Appendix A of the FEI Eventing Rules. AUTHORIZED PARTIES FOR DRESSAGE – ALL HORSE TESTS RECOGNIZED/RECOMMENDED BY THE USEF AND THREE-DAY NATIONAL EVENTS: Appendix 4 of the USEF Rules for Eventing includes illustrations of all parts approved for use in the dressage phase of USEF allowed/recommended eventing competitions. Please note that in addition to the information in Appendix 4, the Eventing Sports Committee confirms that any of the rings or cheeks presented in Appendix 4 can be combined with any of the bits. The ESC Rules and Eventing Rules Working Group will continue discussions that will lead to clarifications of the USEF rules on versatility (upholstery).

The first participants of 2018 left the starting box last weekend, making it a great time to refresh the changes to the USEF rules for eventing that went into effect on December 1, 2017. There have been far fewer rule changes than in 2017, but the biggest change that will affect competitors is the introduction of Appendix 1, which was published by the USEF last week and provides further clarification on the legal parts for use in the dressage phase of the national competition. This new appendix lists more than 50 unique bit variations that indicate whether they can be used as a flange or as a flange or border on a double flange with a green check mark or a red “x”.