young horse trainers’ directory on the USEF web site, and the promotion of microchipping for all USEF-identified horses, in order to track the horse throughout his or her life, using one of two FEI-approved systems. The idea of a national multi-discipline Young Horse Cham- pionships has also been considered by the BC, however that project is on hold because some disciplines need to develop their young horse programs to the level of the programs already in place for dressage, eventers and jumpers.
New Breeders’ Organization Formed In the fall of 2013, the United States Sport Horse Breeders’ Association (USSHBA) was formed. The USSHBA is an “alli- ance partner” with the USEF, which allows them to gain access to a variety of USEF group member benefits, includ- ing the opportunity to hold their annual meeting during the USEF’s convention and to distribute USSHBA news to USEF members. In 2014, they formerly offered memberships and they held their first annual meeting during the USEF’s Janu- ary event. Mary O’Connor, president of the USSHBA, explains the idea behind the organization. “While other groups and asso- ciations exist to serve certain segments within the breeder community (specific to registry or discipline), many broader concerns common to breeders across these lines were not being addressed. The USSHBA was formed in order to provide to sport horse breeders in the United States a sense of community, support and representation of their concerns. The USSHBA, as an independent association, allows breed- ers the opportunity to ensure they have a voice in matters that affect them. This way breeders can directly address their own concerns when these arise and can work across regis- try and discipline lines to create opportunities to benefit all breeders.” The USSHBA was involved with formation of the Horse
Recording and Identification Task Force, which successfully presented the new rule changes regarding “unique horse identification numbers” (USEF General Rules 1101 and 1102) at the 2015 meeting. She says the task force has more work ahead of it, including hopefully tackling the implementation of microchipping. Other ongoing USSHBA projects include an educational blog and plans for educational seminars in the upcoming year. They have also formed a committee to study the feasibility and logistics of producing a major breeder expo event in 2016. The USSHBA has formed member partnerships with
several different breed registries and show management groups including the American Hanoverian Society, the American Holsteiner Horse Association, the Oldenburg North America, the Oldenburg Horse Breeders’ Society, the Rhine- land Pfalz-Saar International, the Royal Belgian Sports Horse Society (the Stud-Book sBs), the Studbook of Selle Français North America, the North American Studbook and the Young Horse Show series, and they are currently in partnership negotiations with other key registries.
82 March/April 2015
“...when a horse owner applies
for a USEF unique horse ID number for their horse, they must first
certify that the horse has not had such a number previously.”
Rule Change: Unique Horse Identification Numbers As the USEF moves toward the ability to easily track a horse throughout its competitive life, they amended the word- ing of Chapter 11, Federation Records and Awards, General Rules 1101 and 1102, which addresses horse identification numbers. The aim of this rule change is for every horse to have only one USEF horse identification number assigned to them for their life; in essence this becomes their lifetime “account number” with the USEF. The language now reads that in order to compete at USEF
licensed shows and events, a horse must be issued a “USEF unique horse identification number.” The USEF unique ID number may be upgraded to a full USEF horse recording, which gives the horse a higher class of USEF competition status (where horses are eligible for awards, for example) for an additional fee. This unique ID number will remain the same with the horse in perpetuity, regardless of whether the horse’s status is upgraded to a full USEF horse recording or if the horse is sold, renamed or dies. The rule further states that when a horse owner applies for a USEF unique horse ID number for their horse, they must first certify that the horse has not had such a number previously. It also states that anyone who knowingly applies for one for a horse that has already received it may be subject to disciplinary action. All other possible numbers that might be associated with the same horse from other organizations, whether they be discipline or breed associations or microchip numbers, will be linked to this USEF unique horse identification number in the USEF database. That way if a horse’s USEF unique horse identification number is not known for some reason, for instance when a new owner of a horse is doing an online search on the USEF web site, you can also search for the horse using their other discipline or breed association numbers.
Possible Perils of Over Vaccination In response to outbreaks of equine herpes virus (EHV) and rhinopneumonitis, several of the large show management groups recently started requiring exhibitors to have their horses vaccinated against EHV every 90 days (but no closer to the show than seven days and the vaccination could not expire during the show.) This goes against the recommenda- tions of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the vaccine manufacturers, all of which suggest vaccinations once a year for horses with limited exposure and every six
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