Leone Equestrian Law

Between Rounds With Armand Leone Jr: A Case for Making Stewards Clearly Identifiable

Following the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s (USHJA) recent Annual Meeting, conversations took place around requiring stewards to wear a form of identification at competitions. Unfortunately, the idea has been tabled for further discussion and potential clarification. It should have been passed. Although stewards have a critical role in ensuring fair play at competitions, they […]

The Olympic Movement’s Role in Equestrian Athletes’ Right to Compete

In the horse community in the U.S., judicial courts exist to address criminal matters such as horse abuse and insurance fraud, while civil courts address other types of fraud as well as things like contract breaches and misrepresentation. However, in the U.S. and internationally, when a dispute arises about an equestrian athlete’s ability to compete […]

A History of Equestrian Sport in the U.S. and Getting Equestrian Teams to the Olympics

The recent Olympic Games showed us the depth and expertise of our nation’s equestrian talent. Under the US Equestrian (USEF) program, the U.S. Olympic equestrian teams brought home two team silver medals. While people are differing over whether the new format is an improvement, no one can argue that the jump off for medals was […]

A Case for Discontinuing the Mileage Rule

In recent months, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) General Rule 314, otherwise known as the Mileage Rule, has again been a hot topic of discussion among U.S. equestrian competitors. Though I am not an authority on horse show and competition management, I have seen horse shows evolve since the rule’s inception in 1975. Especially […]

The Risk and Duty of Designing Jumping Courses

By Armand Leone, Jr. When it comes to course designing in the jumper rings, safety of the horse and rider are the greatest concern. However, it’s also a course designer’s job to create a track that presents a level of difficulty that is appropriate for the class. If you only get one clear in the […]

Horse Owner’s Legal Guide to Care

Whether at home, on the road, in the air, or at a show, our horses require care to prevent injury and maintain peak condition. The administrative aspects of horse care are often overlooked because the paperwork creates more hassle than benefit. Unfortunately, the days of sealing a deal on a handshake are fading, if not […]

Dogs and Horses: Who is Liable?

Dogs and horses go hand in hand. Where there is a barn or horse owner, there is often a dog tagging along. More often than not, horses, dogs, and their people can coexist peacefully and without issue. That said, there is the occasional problem caused by a dog that may have legal ramifications. For example, […]

How Consumer Purchase Protection Laws Impact Horse Sales

In Europe, a new directive (EU Directive 2019/771) has been passed by the European Parliament that aims to protect the consumer in the purchase of goods, presumably including horses. While this directive has a good purpose, treating horses like consumer goods may not provide the intended protection and may have detrimental effects on horse purchasers, […]

Selling Your Horse Through a Broker

Horse brokers can serve a very useful purpose and help ease and facilitate the daunting process of selling your horse. When you enlist the help of a broker, you enter into an agency relationship, meaning that you’re allowing the broker to act as an agent on your behalf in the sales transaction. It’s important to […]

Make the Horse Leasing Experience a Win-Win

Leasing a horse can have positives as well as drawbacks, both for the person leasing out the horse (the “lessor”), and the person leasing the horse or (the “lessee”). We’ve all heard horror stories about owners getting a horse back from a lease to find that the horse is unsound or has developed bad habits. […]