This is a reminder that approved rule changes effective December 1, 2003, are posted after the Annual Meeting and throughout the year under Rules/Changes on the USA Equestrian website at http://www.equestrian.org/rulechange/index.asp.

On July 8, 2003, the USA Equestrian Board of Directors passed a rule defining light-weight clothing for Cross Country Tests in Eventing. The requirement to wear body protecting vests has not been changed, only the location of the text, which was moved in January 2003 to Article 1713.2. All competitors are still required to wear a body protecting vest during cross-country whether or not light-weight clothing is worn, and the requirement of a body protecting vest remains in the 2004 Rule Book.

Below are the rule changes regarding vests:

Art. 1713. Dress (Effective 12/1/03)

6. CROSS-COUNTRY TEST. Light-weight clothing is appropriate for this Test, a shirt (any color) with sleeves must be worn. Protective Headgear in accordance with paragraph 1 above. This headgear may be any color. A body protecting vest with a shirt with sleeves (any color) must be worn. The Federation suggests that these should pass or surpass the current American Society for Testing and Materials standard F1937, certified by the Safety Equipment Institute. Lightweight clothing is appropriate for this test. Britches may be any color; Gloves (if worn) may be any color; Boots - black, brown, field or dress. Chaps, half-chaps and/or leggings are not allowed.

[italic text is to be deleted 12/1/03 per rule change approved 1/19/03 and 7/8/03]

Note that the new language regarding vests, which follows, will be moved from Art. 1713.5 to 1713.2.

Art. 1713. Dress

2. PROTECTIVE VESTS. A body protecting vest must be worn in the cross-country test. Stable, team or club colors are permitted. The Federation recommends that the vest should pass or surpass the current ASTM standard F1937 or be certified by the Safety Equipment Institute.

Contact Torri Nahorniak, Sport Manager, Eventing, with any questions or concerns at (859) 225-2027 or tnahorniak@equestrian.org