11/09/2025
A message from our fearless rule master, Janine Malone. Thank you, Janine, for keeping us legal at MITS and every show! 🥰
P.S. To register your microchip number, log into your USEF Dashboard. 😉
A friendly reminder from our trusted TD Official, Janine Malone:
The following new USEF rules that take effect Decenber 1, 2025:
1 - All horses competing in USEF-licensed shows must be microchipped including ALL in Intro and Opportunity classes. The horse owner must report their horse's microchip number to USEF. Non-member owners can get a free Fan membership (and also a free USEF Horse ID number, if needed) to report the horse's microchip number in the database. The show secretary is required to verify that the chip number is on file with USEF before accepting your entry.
2 - Be sure your stirrups are legal! Beginning December 1, 2025, no piece of equipment shall be attached to a saddle that has a rigid upward pointing projection, hook, or similar object capable of catching a rider’s clothing or person when dismounting, including stirrups. While Dressage has had a similar rule for several years, this new rule eliminates some stirrups with a release mechanism on the outside branch. FMI - see the USEF website.
3 - if you are using your own bridle number holder: Each digit of a number must be a minimum of 1.5 inches in height and a minimum of 3/8 inches in width and cannot be obscured by the encasement/holder. (It has become increasingly difficult for judges, ring stewards, etc. to identify horse numbers as they are sometimes too small and hidden by number holders). The numbers normally assigned by the show secretary are the correct min. height and width, but many reusable numbers and their holders are too small to be in compliance with the new rule.
