U.S. Equestrian Federation President David O’Connor issued a Presidential Modification Feb. 22, waiving the requirement for including a Liverpool jump in USEF Show Jumping Talent Search classes at all rated competitions—with the exception of AA-rated outdoor events where a water jump of specific dimensions remains a course requirement. This Presidential Modification is granted for the first half of the 2012 qualifying period only, specifically Sept. 1, 2011-April 1, 2012.

The rule change requiring a Liverpool jump in Talent Search class courses held at rated competitions (EQ113.14.g) became effective Sept. 1, 2011, at the beginning of the Talent Search qualifying year. Not all show managers and stewards were necessarily aware of this change and, as a result, certain qualifying classes may have been conducted that did not comply with this new rule.

To avoid penalizing exhibitors who have already competed in these classes during this current qualifying period, the course requirement for inclusion of a Liverpool has been waived for classes (other than those held at AA-rated outdoor events which have a specified water jump requirement) held between Sept. 1, 2011 and April 1, 2012.