USHJA Board of Directors Vote on Rule Change Proposals at 2022 USHJA Annual Meeting

Bellevue, Wash.—Dec. 15, 2022—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association Annual Meeting concluded on Thursday, December 15 with the Board of Directors voting on rule change proposals for the 2024 competition year. The Board's recommendations will be submitted to the US Equestrian Board of Directors for final approval at their mid-year meeting.

DSC04973-1

 

Key rule change proposals discussed and approved include:

  • GR848 Tracking #019-22 - allowing physician assistants or nurse practitioners to provide medical clearance for return to competition following a suspected head injury or concussion
  • GR1215 Tracking #028-22 - requiring clearly visible stabling identification on competition grounds' buildings
  • HU140 Tracking #008-22 - allowing Green Hunter Ponies to compete in Jumper classes
  • HU169 Tracking #041-22 - removing the USHJA International Hunter Derby Welcome Stake as a class and requiring enrollment to compete in the USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships
  • JP117 Tracking #033-22 - restricting cross-entering for 5-, 6- and 7-year-old Jumpers
  • GR846 Tracking #001-22 - requiring an accident or injury to be reported to the Steward or Technical Delegate within one hour of it happening
  • GR1214 Tracking #014-22 - requiring listing Licensed Officials who officiated each class to USEF
  • EQ104, HU100 and JP102 Tracking #007-22 - clarifying unsafe longeing practices for horse welfare
  • EQ108 Tracking #005-22 - faulting Equitation competitors who address a jump by halting in front of it
  • EQ111 Tracking #039-22 - removing USHJA Zone and Regional Medal Finals as a qualifier for the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final
  • HJ106 Tracking #004-22 - requiring horses in schooling, warm-up and longeing areas to have a number on them
  • HU112 Tracking #002-22 - adding a halt as an option in a Handy class
  • JP Schooling Appendix A Tracking #036-22 - requiring jumps in the school ring to be flagged 

Proposed rule changes tabled for further discussion or amending include:

  • GR107 Tracking #031-22 - conflict of interest rules for Judges, Stewards and Technical Delegates 
  • EQ113 Tracking #006-22 - addressing how riders can be positioned while testing in an Equitation class
  • HU143 Tracking 010-22 - adjusting the maximum height of Small Junior Hunters to 16.1 hands

Rule change proposals discussed and disapproved include:

  • GR1215 Tracking #020-22 - requiring stabling lights to be off for a set period of time at night
  • GR310 Tracking #027-22 - creating a USEF Competition Lite model for Hunter/Jumper competitors
  • JP Schooling Appendix A Tracking #038-22 - disallowing a blanket, towel, etc. to be laid over a jump in the schooling ring
  • GR801 Tracking #017-22 - adding SNELL as an acceptable helmet certification
  • GR821 Tracking #029-22 - modifying the Opportunity Class model
  • GR1012 Tracking #021-22 - creating a Safety and Welfare Steward license
  • GR1033 Tracking #016-22 - adjusting the number of Stewards, Technical Delegates and Certified Schooling Supervisors required at a competition
  • HU171 Tracking #009-22 - adjusting USHJA Pony Hunter Derby points awarded based on entries
  • JP111 Tracking 032-22 - adding some FEI boot rules for USEF Ranking List classes
  • JP Schooling Appendix A Tracking #011-22 and JP154 Tracking #037-22 - restricting the height of schooling jumps based on the class height
  • GR307 Tracking #024-22 - changing the Heritage Competition qualifying criteria
  • JP119 Tracking #034-22 - adjusting the naming of the Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper sections

DSC04979

To view all the rule change proposals, click here. Per the US Equestrian rule change process, the USHJA Board of Directors will have until March 1, 2023, to finalize any tabled rule change proposals and submit recommendations to USEF for voting at their mid-year meeting in the summer of 2023. Only the USEF Board of Directors may enact a rule change for USEF-licensed competitions.

At the conclusion, Mary Knowlton thanked the five Directors rotating off the Board for their service: Richard Cram, Dianne Johnson, Brooke Kemper, Oliver Kennedy, Michael Rosser.

The four-day Annual Meeting kicked off on Monday, December 12, with the rule change forum; committee meetings and the Board of Directors electing five open positions. All elected and appointed members of the Board of Directors assumed their duties immediately following the close of this year's Annual Meeting, and each position will serve a four-year term. 

Tuesday, December 13 was highlighted by USHJA President Mary Knowlton's State of the Association, which shined a light on opportunities in the sport and ways the Association supports the membership. The day concluded with the Evening of Equestrians, which honored this year's Annual Awards recipients. 

The USHJA extends thanks to Official Sponsors CWD, Parlanti, Nutrena, Exhibitor's and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital & Pharmacy. A special thanks also goes to Supporting Sponsors Dianne Johnson; Washington State Hunter Jumper Association; Archway Equestrian Sports, LLC; Thumbs Up Farm; Imagination Lane, LLC; Headland's Management; US Equestrian; Hodges Badge Company; Eaton Equestrian Center; Kathryn A. Hall PC; Brookway Stables; Show Place Productions; Woodside Stables; Great Southwest Equestrian Center; Brookside; Let's Show; Peggy Fackrell; Misty, Scampi and Haydon; LEG Shows and Events; Colorado Horse Shows; and Human Touch for their support of this year's Annual Meeting. 

For more information on the USHJA Annual Meeting, including resources and recordings of virtual sessions, visit ushja.org/annualmeeting.

Photos: Terisé Cole/USHJA