The U.S. Equestrian Federation, in collaboration with the U.S. Eventing Association, has announced a new national review process for innovative frangible cross-country jump designs. This initiative aims to support and streamline the evaluation and potential use of novel frangible devices at the national level within the U.S.

The new process allows for the evaluation of new frangible device concepts to determine whether they meet the minimum performance standards established by the Fédération Equestre Internationale. The national process will not require devices to comply with the mass production provisions included in the FEI standards, offering flexibility for unique and small-scale innovations.

This national-level process is designed to encourage domestic innovation by providing a pathway for designers, engineers, builders and organizers to introduce and validate frangible technology suited to national competitions. Until now, approval was available only through the FEI for international use. This new structure will provide the possibility of a timely review and potential approval for use in U.S. national events.

“We look forward to the launch of this program. Minimizing the risk within the sport for athletes and horses is always a top priority for both organizations” said USEF Managing Director for Eventing Amber Braun.

Applications for frangible device review will be accepted through a submission link on the USEF website.

“We’re excited about it because frangible technology is one of the biggest aspects of safety in our sport for cross-country,” said Rusty Lowe, USEA vice president of safety and USEA board of governors member at-large. “Frangible technology has been proven in the United States and worldwide. It has been shown to reduce injuries and deaths in the sport. This is another way for us in the United States to work with new ideas, new innovations, and work to improve safety on cross-country.”

Members of the USEF/USEA National Frangible Device Review Committee will include Marc Grandia, an advanced-level eventer and chair of the USEA Cross-Country Safety Subcommittee, Dr. Kaitlin Spak, member of the USEA Cross-Country Safety Subcommittee and office director and principal engineer at Exponent, and course builder Tyson Rementer, who has contributed to both Kentucky and Maryland five-stars.

For more information about the national frangible device review process and to submit a design for evaluation, click here.