VOLUME 6, NO. 7

PAGE 13

American Horse Shows Association
NEWS

Fairness of Competition and Welfare of the Horse

AHSA â USEF ?????

We have received several inquiries regarding the exact role of AHSA Stewards in relation to Fairness of Competition and Welfare of the Horse at AHSA Recognized Competitions. Article 1123.1 states that:

A steward or technical delegate should clearly understand that he has no authority in connection with the management or the judging of a competition but should point out in a diplomatic manner any instance where AHSA rules are not enforced.

It appears that this has, on occasion, been misinterpreted to the point where Stewards did not take any action in the case of a rule violation or in a case of alleged cruelty or abuse of a horse/pony. Please note that article 1123.1 also states that:

He should immediately report to the appropriate officials any violations of the rules which might invalidate a class; should keep himself available to judges, exhibitors and management at all times to clarify the application of AHSA rules and investigate any situation where the rules are not upheld.

Additional duties of Stewards are:

To protect the interests of exhibitors, judges and Competition Management. To investigate and act upon any alleged rule violations without waiting for a protest. To report to the Show Committee any misrepresentation or substitution of entry without waiting for a protest. To report to the Show Committee any offense or violation of the rules and prefer charges against violators if the violation is not properly handled by the Show Committee. To furnish the AHSA with a written report as to the conduct of the competition including any offenses or violations of the rules by the competition or any exhibitors.

So, please help us in our mission of Fairness of Competition and the Welfare of the Horse by bringing possible rule violations to the attention of the Steward and/or to our

attention. The following confidential evaluation forms are available for your use and can be found under Downloads {Competition} on our web site at www.ahsa.org, or you may request faxed or mailed copies by calling me directly at (859) 225-6959:

Competition Evaluation Form
Footing Evaluation Form
Members' Evaluation of Judges, Stewards,
      Technical Delegates,
Jumper and Eventing Course Designers Form

Completed forms may be submitted directly to the AHSA office by fax to (859) 231-6662 or by mail to the Competitions or Licensed Officials Department. Be sure to mark your envelope 'confidential'. These forms are maintained in the strictest confidence and are reviewed by designated AHSA staff. They are then considered by the Show Standards and/or the Licensed Officials Committees in closed session. Follow-up action may be taken by the AHSA depending on the factors involved such as; the seriousness of the incident reported, whether or not a rule violation occurred, repeat offenders, the volume of complaints and the views of the committee(s). You can make a difference. Please use the system to help us improve these very important aspects of the sport.

Katriona McElligott, Assistant
Executive Director, Regulation.

411.1.b Proposed Rule Change

Shelley Rosenberg, from the Dressage Center of Oro Valley, has proposed an addition to AHSA Rules, Article 411, "Conditions For Therapeutic Administrations of Forbidden Substances."
The current Article 411 states:
1. A horse and/or pony exhibiting at a Recognized competition pursuant to the Therapeutic Substance Provisions that receives any medication which contains a forbidden substance is not eligible for competition unless all of the following requirements have been met and the facts are furnished in writing on a timely-submitted official AHSA Drugs and Medications Report Form:
a) The medication must be therapeutic and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of an existing illness or injury. . .
b) The horse and/or pony must be withdrawn from competition for a period of not less than 24 hours after the medication is administered. . . .
Rosenberg's proposed change affects Article 411.1.b:
b) The horse and/or pony must be withdrawn from competition for a period of not less than 24 hours after the medication is administered; Exception: horses/ponies over 20 years of age.
The intent of the proposal is
for the learning of adults and our    youth on finished horses. These horses are the masters and may need a little help in order for us to learn from. Not for CDI, FEI, Young Riders, or any AHSA Finals. For ring experience only.
This proposed rule change is on the July 9th agenda of the Drugs and Medications Committee meeting.
If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please contact John G. Lengel, the Drugs and Medications Program, AHSA, at 800-MED-AHSA; or email him at medahsa@aol.com.