NEWS&VIEWS You Can Use


stakeholders to present initial ideas and receive feedback. Subsequent meetings were held with smaller focus groups to turn concepts into ac- tion proposals. T e meetings were fruitful, col- laborative, and thought-provoking. T e goal is to improve the current judging system, better educate and support USEF’s licensed offi cials, ensure that judges are appropriate to the level they judge, and provide eff ective methods to allow exhibitors, show managers, and offi cials themselves to provide feedback. As the Judges Task Force moves forward, they


Irv Naylor’s Withoutmoreado (left photo), ridden by 19-year-old Irishman Conor Tier- ney, won the 2023 Maryland Hunt Cup, with Royal Ruse (right photo), ridden by former Equiery intern Elizabeth Scully fi nishing second. Royal Ruse is owned by Charlie Fenwick. T ese two fi nishers were trained by the Neilson sisters with Kathy Neilson training the win- ner Withoutmoreado and Sanna Neilson training runner up Royal Ruse.


FDA Tightens Livestock Medication Distribution


Starting June 11, livestock owners must ob- tain a veterinarian’s prescription to purchase certain animal medications including some an- timicrobials and antibiotics. T e latest guide- lines enforce a prescription requirement for over-the-counter drugs such as injectable peni- cillin, tetracycline, sulfa drugs and oral medica- tions like neomycin. To read the full set of FDA medication


guidelines, go to: https://www.fda.gov/animal- veterinary/development-approval-process/ fact-sheet-veterinary-feed-directive-final- rule-and-next-steps


Western Dressage Grants Available Lynn Palm and T e Dressage Foundation


(TDF) announced in May the addition of fi ve grants for Western Dressage riders that will be awarded in 2023 from the TDF’s Lynn Palm Western Dressage Fund. T e fund was estab- lished in 2019 and was expanded in 2021. Applicants can be professionals, amateurs


or youth riders. T e grant review committee is looking for applicants who are eager to grow and improve, have shown a passion for the sport, have fi nancial need, and who have dem- onstrated a commitment to learning. Grants must be used for Western Dressage education experiences that are not part of the applicants' typical training plan. Applications are due July 20. More infor-


mation and application forms can be found at: dressaagefoundation.org.


USEF Releases H/J Judging Process Evaluation


From USEF (May 9, 2023) In September 2022, USEF appointed a Hunter and Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation Judges Task Force charged with evaluating, an- alyzing, and improving the current hunter and equitation judging system. With ever-present video, streaming, and social media input, the adjudication process is under constant scrutiny and criticism. While any subjectively judged sport endures some level of criticism from those who disagree with a judge’s or judging panel's decisions, USEF acknowledged the increased volume of concerns and complaints received from the membership in the past year regarding judging and decided that it was time to review the processes of education, licens- ing, judging systems, and li- censed offi cials evaluations. For the past few months,


the task force – comprised of a small group of judges, trainers, horse show managers, educa- tors, and riders – has met to discuss the current system and propose changes. T e task force held a webinar in mid-Febru- ary for a broad focus group of


will host a series of webinars to gather feedback from the membership. T e webinars will pres- ent ideas on modernized educational systems for applicants and current judges. A new class of license beyond the ‘r’ and ‘R’ licenses will be suggested as well as the levels of competition for its use. Scoring standardization parameters will be discussed as one method to enhance transparency, consistency, and understanding of scores. T e process of evaluations will be im- proved so that input from participants, judges, and managers is collated and analyzed. Addi- tionally, an enhanced system for judging major events and championships is being discussed with input collected from competition manag- ers, judges, and participants. T e next steps are crucial as the task force


receives feedback, sharpens ideas, and prepares to present important amendment proposals to the appropriate governing bodies at USEF and USHJA. Please email any thoughts or com- ments you may have to JTF@usef.org.


National Reining Horse Rule Changes T e National Reining Horse Association


Executive Committee and Board of Directors continued...


Kudos to trainer Kieron Magee (left photo) and jockey Axel Concepcion (right photo) for winning the Laurel Park Spring Meets titles.


IF YOU HAVE NEWS, VIEWS OR UPDATES TO CONTRIBUTE, PLEASE SEND THEM TO THE EDITOR at


The Equiery, P.O. Box 610, Lisbon, MD 21765 • FAX: 410-489-7828 • email editor@equiery.com. Be sure to include your full name, phone number and address. All submissions become the property of The Equiery.


www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580 THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | JUNE 2023 | 11


Tammie J. Monaco


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