At its August 26 meeting, the Board of US Equestrian (USEF) approved several important rule changes, including amendments to the blood rule in competition (GR 843), updates to the Hunter Channel II points and mileage rule (GR 314), and a presidential modification affecting qualifying timelines for national hunter championships.
Updated Blood Rule (GR 843): Emphasis on Horse Welfare
Following further discussion and refinements after the mid-year board meeting, a revised version of GR 843—commonly known as the “blood rule”—was approved. This amendment aims to uphold horse welfare while recognizing that minor incidents may occur during competition.
Under the updated rule:
-
If blood is observed and determined to be caused by the rider, handler, or equipment, the horse will be eliminated from the class.
-
A licensed judge or ground jury will assess incidents of blood case by case.
-
If minor bleeding is observed in a horse’s mouth (e.g., from biting its tongue or lip), the judge or jury may rinse or wipe the area. The horse may continue competing if no further bleeding is detected.
-
If bleeding persists, the horse must be eliminated.
Additional clarifications:
Related News
-
If a horse is eliminated during a qualifier for a championship or subsequent class, it may still compete in the championship once the issue is resolved.
-
If eliminated during a championship, jump-off, or work-off, the horse will be placed based on its standing prior to elimination.
Note: Individual breed and discipline rules may contain more restrictive provisions; in such cases, the stricter rules will take precedence.
Effective Date: December 1, 2025
GR 314: Channel II Points, Prize Money, and Mileage Rule Changes
The Board also approved significant changes to GR 314, addressing the allocation of points and prize money at Regional competitions (Channel II) and introducing new mileage boundaries.
Key updates include:
-
Points and money earned at Channel II competitions (Regional Hunter and Jumper Level 1–3) will now count toward both Channel I and Channel II Horse of the Year (HOTY) awards.
-
Prize money will be capped at:
-
$5,000 per class at Regional-rated competitions.
-
$25,000 per class at Jumper Level 3 competitions held with Regional competitions.
-
-
A limit of three concurrent hunter rings will apply at Regional competitions.
These changes are designed to:
-
Increase access to different competition levels.
-
Support development pathways for horses and riders.
-
Help manage costs at Regional shows.
Mileage Boundaries for Hunters:
In light of the expanded points eligibility, a mileage boundary has been added between Regional and National/Premier hunter competitions to maintain fairness and competition integrity.
Effective Date: December 1, 2026 (for the 2027 competition calendar)
Presidential Modification: HU168.1 & HU169.1 Championship Qualifying Timeline Waived
Effective August 21, 2025, through the 2026 competition year, a presidential modification has been enacted to waive the 30-day posting requirement for full qualifying criteria and official specifications for the following championships:
-
USEF Pony Hunter National Championship
-
USEF Junior Hunter National Championship
Traditionally, criteria were finalized and published prior to the start of the qualifying year. However, to allow USEF to incorporate real-time feedback from the current year’s events and improve the championships, the timeline for finalizing and posting criteria has been adjusted.
This modification aligns with the timeline flexibility allowed in FEI disciplines and has been positively received by competition organizers and the USEF National Hunter Committee.
Preliminary qualifying information has been published on the USEF website, and final specifications are currently under review.
Proposed 2026 Qualifying Periods:
-
Junior Hunter National Championship: May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
-
Pony Hunter (Regular) National Championship: July 2, 2025 – July 1, 2026
-
Pony Hunter (Green) National Championship: December 1, 2025 – July 1, 2026
