05/26/2026
Equestrian Canada invites you to submit rule change suggestions for the 2027 EC Rules by the deadline of May 31, 2026.
Rule change suggestions can be submitted through the Online Rule Change Suggestion Portal: https://licence.equestrian.ca/rulechange
Who Makes the Rules?
When people think about rulebooks, it’s easy to imagine they’re written behind closed doors by a small group of experts. At Equestrian Canada (EC), the reality is very different.
The foundation of our rules is community input — and every EC Sport Licence Holder has the right to help shape them.
If you’ve ever thought, “There should be a rule about this,” or “This rule could work better,” your voice matters more than you may realize.
Your Voice Helps Shape the Sport
EC’s rules are living documents that evolve alongside the sport, guided by the experiences of athletes, coaches, officials, organizers, and owners across the country. Community feedback plays a critical role in ensuring rules remain: Submitting a rule change suggestion is one of the most direct ways to show what matters to you and your discipline.
- Practical and relevant
- Fair and consistent
- Welfare-focused
- Aligned with how the sport is actually being practiced
Who Reviews Rule Change Suggestions?
Every suggestion submitted is taken seriously and reviewed through multiple levels: This ensures proposals are considered from both a discipline-specific and national perspective.
EC rules staff reviews all submissions and directs to the appropriate departments and committees for review.
EC sport, technical, or welfare committees evaluate each suggestion
Committees determine which suggestions they recommend moving forward as Rule Change Proposals (RCPs) and which may be better suited to policies or internal processes
The National Rules Committee made up of a diverse group of community members reviews and oversees the overall process
When Can You Submit a Rule Change Suggestion?
Rule change suggestions are accepted January 1 to May 31 each year.
How the Rule Change Process Works & Why Your Participation Matters
- Visit the Online Rule Change Suggestion Portal between January 1 and May 31
- Submit your rule change suggestion
- The process as described above takes place
- RCPs are posted on the EC website for a 30-day review and comment period for all EC Sport Licence Holders
- Community comments are collected, returned to the proposing committee, reviewed, and considered
- Approved revisions are finalized
- Updated rules are posted on the EC website and become effective January 1 of the following year
You are the people using the rulebook every day. Your experiences highlight gaps, unintended consequences, and opportunities for improvement that cannot always be seen from a single viewpoint.
Submitting suggestions and commenting on proposals:Simply put: the stronger the community participation, the stronger the rules.
- Improves rule quality
- Strengthens fairness and clarity
- Helps align rules with real-world practice
- Ensures welfare remains a top priority
Be Part of the Process
If you’re passionate about your sport, this is one of the most impactful ways to contribute.
Who makes the rules? YOU DO!
