“We understand this change is controversial,” said US Equestrian Chief of Sport David O’Connor. “Although injuries from safety stirrups are statistically uncommon according to our data, they can be significant and are preventable with the selection of certain styles. We believe this change to the rule allows members to use a breakaway style stirrup if they prefer while reducing the risk of unintended harm.”

USEF is aware that the tack and equipment market is constantly evolving, and new product designs may come on to the market in the future. The illustrations shown in these guidelines are not intended to be a representation of all possible safety stirrup designs. A USEF task force will meet twice a year (in January and June) to review any new designs. Manufacturers have the opportunity to submit their product for review to determine compliance with the new rule by completing the Stirrup Design Review Application. Completed forms should be sent to lmangan@usef.org.

Please note that this rule can apply to any type of saddle attachment, including security stirrup latches.

If you have questions about your stirrup or saddle attachments, please check in with a licensed official at your next competition. It is important to note that USEF has decided to implement a staggered approach to enforcement of the new rule to ensure awareness and understanding. From Dec. 1, 2025 to Nov. 30, 2026, officials will issue verbal or recorded warnings for non-compliant stirrups to help members recognize problematic designs. Starting December 1, 2026, officials will enforce this rule as they would any other requirement for tack and equipment.

Join Us September 15, 2024 for the Alzheimer's Benefit Show at Schooley Mill

Open/close dates and entry links are available on our omnibus here:
https://pvda.org/page/show_omnibus

We will be arranging how to get the ribbons/awards to each of you.

LeadLine

Intro - Adult Amateur

Intro - Junior or Young Rider

Training Level - Adult Amateur

Training Level - Junior or Young Rider

Training Level - Open

First Level - Adult Amateur

First Level - Junior or Young Rider

First Level - Open

Second Level - Adult Amateur

Third Level - Adult Amateur

Third Level - Open

Fourth Level - Adult Amateur

Fourth Level - Junior or Young Rider

Fourth Level - Open

Musical Freestyle - Adult Amateur

Musical Freestyle - Junior or Young Rider

Musical Freestyle - Open

Western - Junior or Young Rider

Western - Open

Specialty Awards

Eastern Shore - Shira Rosenthal and Go Grande
Trespassers William - Ellie Russell and Moby Dixon

What an amazing day! Okay, yeah it was dry and unusually hot and seriously dusty. But enthusiasm was high and no one passed out! Every competitor I spoke to was positive and a pleasure to work with. Thank you competitors for making our show a fun success.

We had 90 rides. Yes. 90. Two judges. We started at 8am, didn’t break for lunch, and we finished off about 6:30pm. Marija Trieschman started our day, bright eyed and dressed to the nines. She judged the nearly 40 Intro rides and the fantastic upper level and musical rides at lunch time. We had two Prix St. Georges, two 3rd level rides, one 4th level ride and not one but deux (two) Pas de Deux rides and a Quadrille. And I must say that Tracey Tranium’s score of 62.069% on Casac at PSG was quite impressive. She didn’t win the class though, Camilla Cornwell did on Sarafina CC with her 3-3 test score of 64.260%. And the Quadrille’s routine to The Beatles in remembrance of Colonel Speer brought tears to my eyes.

The afternoon started at 1:30 with Jessie Ginsburg judging Second Level. We had a very competitive class with 5 riders at that level. Jessie also judged Training, First, and Western Dressage. We had enough Western rides to actually have two separate classes and one just for Level 1. The cutest class of the day was Leadline and Zoe Trice on RCL Apollo Hancock who won with a 68.125% in Leadline A. Apollo also won the Second Level class with Annie Trice and a score of 63.049%!

Both judges were wonderful to work with and gave very positive feedback to the competitors and I hope to work with them as a manager again. Thanks to them for making such a positive day!

Two judges meant twice the volunteer fun.

So many to thank. Alison May, who went above and beyond with Lynn Adams. Of COURSE Linda Speer who ran the donation side and did details I didn’t even think of. Plus she brought the coffee.

Wendy Emblin was a fabulous announcer. Chris, Lisa, and Imaan were my math/scoring geniuses. Christina, Naomi, Geri, and Seemeen stewarded everyone into the right place at the right time. Ann Marie and Alison took the best judges’ notes ever. Alison also lent us her speaker system and set it up for us.

Camilla Keis Cornwell, Lynn, Sarah, Alison, and Saskia Paul got my arena set up for me. They did it so well, it was a breeze to make to adjust between small and large. And Lynn, with her now very dirty new SUV, and Tracey Goeller Trainum led the bunch with her truck, to bring it down again.

Kisses and hugs to all of you. You made the show a great fun success for everyone, including Alzheimer’s Disease Research.

UPLOAD YOUR PHOTOS HERE: Schooley Mill IV Gallery

For the second consecutive year PVDA is hosting an Alzheimer's Research benefit show at Schooley Mill in Highland, MD.  Join us September 21, 2019 and ride for judge Phoebe Devoe-Moore. The show is open for entries now and closes on September 13th.
Enter online at Event Clinics or Equestrian Entries

Donation checks should be made payable to the Alzheimer's Research with "PVDA at Schooley Mill" in the memo section.

Questions? Reach out to Linda Speer at 443-691-7339

or

Show Manager Lydia Wainwright at 410-855-3144 or lydiawainwright@icloud.com

Through rider donations, sponsorships, the Ride for Life raffle, and a donation from PVDA the 2019 Ride for Life raised $60,000 for Johns Hopkins!

A special Ride for Life newsletter edition will be out in early September with results and pictures. Thank you as always for all of your support! You can view photos from the show and submit your own here:
https://pvda.smugmug.com/Shows/2019-Shows/Ride-for-Life-2019/

You can also view/purchase images from the official show photographer Pics of You here:
https://www.picsofyouarchive.com/Dressage-Events/2019/PVDA-Ride-For-Life-June-2019

Contact: Kyle Peiffer - kapeiffer@gmail.com

View Chapter Challenge Page.