The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Board of Directors recently approved a rule change which expands the range of responsible parties for violations of the USEF’s Drugs and Medications rules.

Beginning Dec. 1, the rule will include additional categories of individuals who are responsible and accountable parties, which are defined as “persons responsible” and “support personnel.”

The trainer will continue to be held accountable for violations; however, in addition to the trainer, and in the absence of substantial evidence to the contrary, persons responsible may include the individual who rides, vaults or drives the horse and/or pony during competition; the owner; and support personnel. Support personnel include, but are not limited to, grooms, handlers, longers, and veterinarians if they are present at the competition or have made a relevant decision about the horse and/or pony.

Under the new rule, a junior exhibitor could fall under the persons responsible; there must be substantial evidence to support holding a junior accountable