SafeSport: What Parents Need to Know to Keep Their Kids Safe in Equestrian Sports
If you’ve got a kid involved in equestrian sports, you’ve probably heard of SafeSport—but what exactly is it, and why does it matter? More importantly, what do you, as a parent, need to know to help keep your child safe while they compete?
Equestrian sports can be an amazing experience for kids, teaching responsibility, resilience, and the ability to hang on when things get a little wild. But like any sport, it’s crucial to have protections in place to prevent abuse, misconduct, and unsafe environments. That’s where SafeSport comes in.
What Is SafeSport?
SafeSport is a federal initiative designed to protect young athletes from abuse, misconduct, and inappropriate behavior in sports. It was created under the U.S. Center for SafeSport, an independent organization established in 2017 following high-profile cases of abuse in Olympic and amateur sports.
For equestrians, SafeSport applies to competitions governed by USEF (United States Equestrian Federation) and USHJA (United States Hunter Jumper Association) as well as IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) and other affiliated organizations.
The goal?
✅ Prevent abuse before it happens.
✅ Educate coaches, trainers, and officials on best practices.
✅ Provide a clear reporting system for any misconduct.
While most equestrians and trainers have good intentions, SafeSport exists to set boundaries, enforce accountability, and ensure the safety of young riders.
Current SafeSport Requirements for Competitions
If your child is competing in USEF, USHJA, or IEA-rated shows, there are certain SafeSport rules and requirements that everyone involved must follow.
USEF & USHJA SafeSport Rules
In USEF and USHJA competitions, anyone who is a trainer, coach, official, or adult participant (18+) must:
✔️ Complete SafeSport training. This includes education on recognizing and preventing misconduct, with a refresher course required every year.
✔️ Follow the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP). This covers rules on one-on-one interactions, social media contact, travel arrangements, and locker room/privacy protections.
✔️ Abide by mandatory reporting requirements. If misconduct is suspected, it must be reported.
Minors (under 18) do NOT need to complete SafeSport training unless they turn 18 and want to continue competing.
IEA SafeSport Rules
In IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) competitions, SafeSport training is also required for:
✔️ Coaches and team managers.
✔️ Any adult volunteers who have direct contact with athletes.
✔️ Parents who wish to take on an official coaching or leadership role.
What This Means for Parents
Your child’s trainer must be SafeSport certified if they are coaching at rated competitions.
No adult should have private, one-on-one interactions with your child without another adult present.
If you suspect misconduct, there is a clear system for reporting.
How to Keep Your Child Safe in Equestrian Sports
While SafeSport sets official rules, parents still play the most crucial role in keeping kids safe. Here’s what you can do:
1. Know Who Your Child’s Trainer Is
Before choosing a trainer, do your homework.
🔹 Ask if they are SafeSport certified. This is required for rated shows, but even at non-rated barns, it’s a good sign that they take safety seriously.
🔹 Trust your gut. If something seems off about their behavior, investigate further.
🔹 Watch how they interact with young riders. Are they professional and respectful, or are there moments that make you uneasy?
2. Understand the One-on-One Contact Rules
SafeSport prohibits unobserved, one-on-one interactions between adults and minor athletes, with very few exceptions.
🚫 A coach should never be alone in a barn, vehicle, or hotel room with a minor.
🚫 No private texting or messaging between a coach and a minor. (Unless a parent is included in the conversation.)
✅ If a private lesson is happening, another adult should be present or within sight.
3. Talk to Your Child About Boundaries
Sometimes, kids don’t realize when behavior is inappropriate. It’s important to:
✔️ Teach them what’s okay and what’s not.
✔️ Encourage them to speak up if something feels wrong.
✔️ Let them know they can always come to you.
4. Monitor Social Media & Communication
While coaches and trainers might need to communicate with riders about show schedules or lesson plans, SafeSport has strict rules about how that communication should happen.
❌ No private messages between an adult and a minor.
✅ Any communication should include a parent or guardian.
5. Be Aware of Travel Policies
For overnight competitions, SafeSport has specific rules about lodging and travel:
🚗 Coaches should not be sharing hotel rooms with minor athletes.
🚗 If your child needs transportation, SafeSport requires another adult or minor present.
If you’re ever unsure about a situation, speak up and ask questions.
How to Report a SafeSport Violation
If you suspect any misconduct, you have the right (and responsibility) to report it. SafeSport takes all reports seriously, and investigations are conducted independently of USEF or IEA.
📌 How to report:
🔹 Online: Visit U.S. Center for SafeSport
🔹 By phone: Call 833-587-7233 (SafeSport Helpline)
🔹 Directly to USEF: You can also report concerns through USEF's website.
Reports can be made anonymously, and there are protections in place to prevent retaliation against those who come forward.
SafeSport Registry
One piece of this legislation requires a database be public for all individuals who are temporarily or permanently suspended under SafeSport. For USEF, you can find it here.
Individuals may be on this list for a variety of reasons which are annotated in the list.
Final Thoughts
SafeSport exists for a reason—to protect young riders and ensure that equestrian sports remain a positive and safe environment. While most trainers and barn staff are great people who genuinely care about their students, having strong policies in place prevents misconduct and ensures accountability.
As a parent, your role is to stay informed, ask questions, and create an open dialogue with your child about what’s appropriate and what’s not. When in doubt, trust your instincts—because at the end of the day, nothing is more important than keeping your child safe.
SafeSport Q&A for Parents in Equestrian Sports
What is SafeSport?
SafeSport is a federal initiative run by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, created in 2017 to protect young athletes from abuse, misconduct, and unsafe environments. It sets rules, provides education, and enforces accountability in sports—including equestrian competitions.
Does SafeSport apply to equestrian sports?
Yes. SafeSport rules apply to competitions run by USEF (United States Equestrian Federation), USHJA (United States Hunter Jumper Association), IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association), and other affiliated organizations.
Who has to take SafeSport training?
At USEF and USHJA shows, all trainers, coaches, officials, and adult participants (18+) must complete SafeSport training each year. At IEA shows, coaches, team managers, and adult volunteers who work with athletes must complete it. Minors don’t need training unless they turn 18 and keep competing.
What are the SafeSport “one-on-one” rules?
Adults are not allowed to be alone with a minor athlete without another adult present. That means no private barn time, no solo car rides, no hotel room sharing, and no private texting or messaging.
What does this mean for me as a parent?
Make sure your child’s trainer is SafeSport certified.
Know who is communicating with your child and how (no private adult-minor messaging).
Be aware of travel and lodging policies for shows.
Talk to your child about boundaries and encourage them to speak up if something feels wrong.
How do I know if someone has been suspended by SafeSport?
The U.S. Center for SafeSport maintains a public registry of people who are temporarily or permanently suspended. USEF also posts this list.
Why does SafeSport matter?
While most trainers and barns are safe and positive, SafeSport creates clear boundaries, prevents misconduct, and protects young riders. It gives parents peace of mind and ensures equestrian sports remain a safe and rewarding experience for kids.
How do I report a SafeSport violation?
You can report concerns in three ways:
Online: U.S. Center for SafeSport
Phone: 833-587-7233 (SafeSport Helpline)
Through USEF’s website
Reports can be anonymous, and there are protections against retaliation.
