The United States Equestrian Federation (“USEF”) is the national governing body for equestrian sports in the United States. USEF sets forth rules and regulations for its membership which includes owners, trainers, and amateur exhibitors. USEF general rule 1037 details USEF’s warning card system – formerly referred to as the yellow card system. The warning card system is designed as a method for USEF to penalize USEF members for minor rule infractions at USEF competitions and events that do not rise to the level of a formal rule violation and penalty.
Starting April 1, 2025, changes to the warning card system will go into effect to give judges, stewards, and technical delegates the ability to penalize USEF members for minor rule infractions with either a recorded warning or a yellow warning card. Prior to April 1, 2025, a Judge, Steward, or Technical Delegate at a USEF competition could only give a yellow card to rule violators. The option for a recorded warning allows officials to penalize members for conduct that does not rise to a more severe penalty such as a yellow earning card.
To issue a recorded warning card or yellow card warning, the official must:
- Complete and sign the Recorded Warning form or Yellow Warning Card;
- Timely provide a copy of the signed Recorded Warning Form or Yellow Warning Card to the recipient either in person or via another suitable means; and,
- Send a copy of the recorded warning or yellow card to the USEF with the delegate's report. Upon receipt of the Recorded Warning Form or Yellow Warning Card, the Federation will send an acknowledgment of its receipt of the Form or Card to the affected person.
Since the warning cards are not a penalty, they cannot be appealed. However, if a USEF member receives multiple yellow warning cards within a certain timeframe USEF may elect to take further disciplinary actions, such as a suspension.
All USEF members at licensed USEF events are required to report any conduct that they believe may qualify as unethical treatment of the horse to a Licensed Official immediately.
USEF members who have received notice of a rule violation should consulting with an equine law attorney with experience in representing clients responding to USEF’s notice of rule violations.
