USEF Anti Manipulation Policy
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Prevention of the Manipulation of Competition Policy
Introduction:
The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. (the “Federation”) is the National Governing Body of equestrian sport, and as such is tasked with ensuring fairness, safety, and integrity in equestrian sport. Fairness and integrity are fundamental to the enjoyment of sport and competition. Any attempts at or manipulation of the fairness and integrity of sport threaten the overall enjoyment of the sport. This Prevention of the Manipulation of Competition Policy (“Policy”) has been created to ensure the protection of fairness and integrity in all levels of equestrian sport.
Definitions:
“Benefit” means the direct or indirect receipt or provision of money or the equivalent such as, but not limited to, bribes, gains, gifts, and other advantages including, without limitation, winnings and/or potential winnings, as a result of a Bet. A Benefit does not include official prize money, appearance fees, or payments to be made under sponsorship or other contracts.
“Competition” means any Federation or Recognized Affiliate Association licensed, sanctioned, endorsed, or recognized activity.
“Competition Manipulation” is when a Participant acts in any manner to remove the unpredictability of a Competition. This may include acting with the intention to lose a Competition or part of it, or perform less than optimally, which goes against the competition spirit.
“Inside Information” means information relating to any Competition, including the fitness and suitability of horses and riders or other participants in the Competition, that a person possesses by virtue of his position in relation to equestrian sport or the Competition, excluding any information already published or common knowledge, easily accessible to interested members of the public, or disclosed in accordance with the rules governing the relevant Competition.
“Manipulation” means any intentional arrangement, act, or omission aimed at an improper alteration of the result or the course of a Competition in order to remove all or part of the unpredictable nature of the Competition with a view to obtaining an undue Benefit for oneself or for others.
“Match Fixing” means any intentional arrangement, act, or omission aimed at an improper alteration of the result or the course of a Competition, in order to remove all or part of the unpredictable nature of the Competition with a view to obtaining an undue Benefit for oneself or for others. Approved July 25, 2022 Effective December 1, 2022 2
“Participant” means any natural or legal person belonging to one of the following categories: a. “Athlete” means any rider, driver, vaulter, or handler, participating in a Competition; b. “Athlete Support Personnel” means any coach, trainer, groom, manager, team staff, farrier, medical or veterinary personnel working with or treating Athlete(s) or horses participating in or preparing for Competition, and all other persons working with the Athletes and/or horses, whether identified on the entry form or not. c. “Owner” means any person who is the owner of, a shareholder in, or interested party in a horse, including lessees, legal owners, and individuals, or entities recorded with the Federation as an owner or identified on an entry form as an owner. d. “Official” means any person who is licensed by the Federation or any Recognized Affiliate Association to officiate at Competitions, any competition licensee (or anyone with an ownership or shareholder interest in the Competition), competition manager, competition secretary, and any other Competition staff or volunteers. e. “Staff” means any person who serves in a volunteer or paid role for the Federation or a Recognized Affiliate Association.
“Sports Betting, Bet, or Betting” means any wager of a stake of monetary value in the expectation of a cash prize or other prize of monetary value, subject to a future and uncertain occurrence related to a Competition. Cash and prizes of de minimus value are permitted.
Prohibited Conduct:
Any and all Competition Manipulation is strictly prohibited under this Policy. The following details additional violations of the Policy:
Betting: Participants are prohibited from betting on any Competition in which they participate.
Insider Information: The following are prohibited uses of Insider Information by Participants: a. Using Inside Information for any purposes related to (i) Betting, (ii) any form of manipulation of Competition(s), or (iii) any other corrupt purposes by the Participant. b. Disclosing Inside Information to any person and/or entity, with or without Benefit, where the Participant knew or should have known that such disclosure might lead to the information being used for the purposes of (i) Betting, (ii) any form of Manipulation of Competition(s), or (iii) any other corrupt purposes. c. Giving and/or receiving a Benefit in exchange of Inside Information, regardless of whether any Inside Information is actually exchanged.
Match Fixing and Manipulation: Participants are strictly prohibited from Match Fixing or Manipulating any Competition or encouraging any other Participant to Match Fix or Manipulate a Competition.
Failure to cooperate: Failing to cooperate with any investigation carried out by the Federation in relation to a possible violation of this Policy, including, without limitation, failing to provide accurately, completely, and without undue delay any information and/or documentation and/or access or assistance requested by the Federation as part of such investigation. Obstructing or delaying any investigation that may be carried out by the Federation in relation to a possible violation of this Policy, including without limitation concealing, tampering with, or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to the investigation.
Finding of a Violation:
The Federation may exercise jurisdiction over and investigate alleged misconduct related to this Policy. Any attempt by a Participant that may be deemed a violation of this Policy will be treated as if a violation has been committed, whether or not such an act in fact resulted in a violation and/or Approved July 25, 2022 Effective December 1, 2022 3 regardless of whether the violation was committed deliberately or intentionally. For more information regarding Federation Complaints, Disputes, Penalties, and Resolutions, please see Federation Bylaws Part VII and General Rules Chapter 7. For the determination of whether a violation has been committed, the following will not be deemed relevant to the Federation’s investigation:
Whether or not the Participant is participating in the Competition concerned;
The outcome of the Competition on which the Bet was made or intended to be made;
Whether or not any Benefit or other consideration was actually given or received;
The nature or outcome of the Bet;
Whether or not the Participant’s effort or performance in the Competition concerned were (or could be expected to be) affected by the acts or omission in question;
Whether or not the result of the Competition concerned was (or could be expected to be) affected by the acts or omission in question;
Whether or not the manipulation included a violation of a technical rule of the relevant discipline.