Mindy Darst stepped down from five U.S. Hunter Jumper Association committees and task forces and one U.S. Equestrian Federation committee on Aug. 17.

Her resignations come in the wake of a high-profile disqualification at USEF Pony Finals, (see the Aug. 29 issue of The Chronicle of the Horse, p 20). At that show Darst instructed a rider to get on a pony that was to show in the medium pony hunter over fences class with another rider later that day, contrary to that show’s rules. As a result, the pony, Rose Hill Farm’s Trillville, was later disqualified from the hunter division.

Darst, Lebanon, Ohio, served as the chair of the USEF National Hunter Committee, the USHJA Pony Hunter Task Force and the USHJA Zone 5 Hunter Committee. She also served on the USHJA Board of Directors, the USHJA Officials Committee and the USHJA Chairs Council.

“I felt it was in the best interest of the USHJA and USEF if I resigned from my volunteer positions,” said Darst. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work on so many important committees side by side with so many smart, caring, generous peers in the industry. I am confident that my time and energy were appreciated, and hope that in the future I may have the opportunity to help out again.”