US Equestrian Announces New Safe Sport Training Requirements

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Lexington, Ky. – On August 27, 2018, the US Equestrian Board of Directors approved a rule change requiring that effective January 1, 2019, all US Equestrian (USEF) adult members with a Competing Membership must complete USEF’s Safe Sport Training in order to be eligible to participate in USEF activities. Members can immediately access the free Safe Sport Training directly through their member dashboard or can click here to learn more. We encourage members to complete the training as soon as possible.

US Equestrian President Murray Kessler stated, "I am very proud of the work done in drafting this proposal and the Board of Directors which approved this critical rule designed to keep our children safe while they enjoy, excel, and advance in our sport."

The rule has three main requirements. Sections 1 and 2 are already in effect and Section 3 has been added:

1. Every USEF member and Federation Participant* shall abide by USEF’s Safe Sport Policy and the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code of Conduct. *As described by the USEF Safe Sport Policy, a Federation Participant is any USEF member or non-member, who participates in, or attends a USEF-licensed competition or sanctioned event.

2. In order to comply with S. 534, the Protecting Young Victim’s from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017, the USEF Safe Sport Policy, and the Center’s SafeSport Code of Conduct, every USEF adult member and USEF participant, with the exception of the victim, is required to report suspected sexual misconduct within 24 hours to the appropriate authorities and to the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

3. Beginning January 1, 2019, every USEF adult member with a Competing Membership must complete USEF’s Safe Sport Training, as approved by the U.S. Center for SafeSport (the Center).

A 30 day grace period to complete the awareness training will be provided to all members who renew or join on or after December 1, 2018. Members joining prior to December 1, 2018 will have until January 1, 2019 to complete the training. Those who do not complete the training within the grace period will be ineligible to participate in USEF activities, including competitions.

The Safe Sport Policy and the rules that govern it have been created to protect all athletes from misconduct within the sport. This new rule is consistent with our efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of equestrian participants, especially minors. Education and training everyone is crucial to protecting athletes and eradicating abuse in our sport.

Additional information and resources on Safe Sport, how to report sexual and non-sexual misconduct, access to a free training module for parents of equestrian athletes, a Safe Sport FAQ, the Safe Sport Sanction list and more can be found here.

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