USHJA E-Update

In this issue:

*Pre-Register for the Thermal Symposium and Save $50

*How the Rule Change Process Works

*Updated Rule: USHJA Membership & Points

*New Rules Regarding NSAIDs on the Books

*Stirrup Cup Awards - Same Great Award New Name

*HDIF Nominated Stallions Now Online

*2010 Cavalor/USHJA Clinics Program

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2009/2010 The Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby
Class Results

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USHJA SPONSORS

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February 16th-18th marks the first opportunity of 2010 to participate in the SmartPak/USHJA Trainers Symposiums. Register by Sunday, February 14th and save $50; registration through Sunday for USHJA members is $225. The symposium at HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA will feature George Morris, equitation and jumper clinician, and John French, hunter clinician. The symposiums offer practical training sessions and round table discussions with top industry professionals.

The schedule offers three days of hunters, equitation, and jumpers. Each discipline is broken into sections: i.e. junior hunters, intermediate equitation, and junior/amateur owner jumpers. The sections will have three to four demonstration riders that the clinician will work with and explain different techniques, exercises, and tips for various levels of riders and horses. The registration from February 2nd-14th is $225 for USHJA members; on-site registration will be $275 for USHJA members.

This is a great opportunity for professionals and members to exchange thoughts and ideas on training exercises, training aids, and business practices. The Symposiums are offered to everyone - not just trainers. SmartPak/USHJA Trainers Symposiums count toward the professional requirements for the USHJA Trainer Certification Program. Symposium registration is currently open. Visit the USHJA Symposium website for other upcoming symposiums.

At the recent Annual Meeting of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) in Louisville, Kentucky, the USEF Board of Directors made several changes to the rule book. As part of the ongoing effort to educate members, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) wants to make the general membership aware of how the rule change process for their sport works, and also inform members of the proper way to submit rule change proposals.

Visit USEF's website for a complete list of rule changes approved at the January USEF Board of Directors meeting.

When considering a rule change submission, a well-researched and carefully prepared proposal will have a better chance of being approved by the USEF Board of Directors or Executive Committee and will have a more meaningful impact on the fairness of competition and on the welfare of the horse. The USEF has guidelines on how to prepare and submit rule changes. All proposed rule changes must be submitted on the official Proposed Rule Change form which is available or can be obtained by contacting the USEF office.

• Define the problem and identify the geographic scope while also considering other possible solutions that may or may not include a rule change.
• Communicate with the USHJA committee representing the area or division you are interested in changing or updating. They may already be working on the issue or may be willing to become the proponent. At the very least, advance input from the committee can assist the proponent in developing the most appropriate wording.
• Proposed rule changes to General Rules, Chapters 1-13: Determine what other rules would be affected if your proposal were to be adopted by the USEF Board of Directors or Executive Committee. Be prepared to submit rule changes for all affected rules, each on a separate form, unless they are consecutively numbered rules. Consider how the proposed rule change would affect all disciplines and breeds as well as the financial impact, if any, to USEF, competition, and members.
• Submit proper wording by the deadlines stated in GR150; June 1 for proposed rule changes submitted by individual Federation members and Federation staff; September 1 for proposed rule changes submitted by USEF committees or affiliated entities, such as USHJA.

• Determine the correct placement of the proposed rule change and locate the Chapter, Sub-chapter, and Rule number in the current website version of the Rule Book, which contains rule changes approved to date.
• Proposed rule changes that comply with the conditions and timeliness stated in GR150 are considered standard rule changes and are to be submitted with a proposed effective date of 12/1/12. Please clearly state any request for an earlier proposed effective date.
• Proposed rule change: choose "add" if this is a new rule; choose "delete" if an existing rule is being deleted; choose "change to read" if the content change is being proposed for an existing rule. The latter may include both deleting and adding of text.
• Type or print neatly, stating the exact wording being proposed. If you are proposing changes to existing language, or deleting an entire rule, strike through the words or sentences you propose to delete. Type in bold and italics the words you propose to add.
• If a substantial amount of existing wording is needed, there is less chance of error if you copy and paste from the on-line rule book directly into the rule change proposal form and then make revisions.
• Intent: Provide a short statement clearly describing why the rule change is needed and what will be accomplished if the proposed rule change is approved.
• Complete all proponent information. If the proponent is a committee or an affiliate member organization, a contact person and accompanying information must be provided.
• Sign and date the form. Review the form to make sure all required information has been provided and is clearly stated. The proposed rule change form can be complete on-line or can be mailed or faxed to the USEF address (4047 Iron Work Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511) or fax number 859. 231.6662.

• The proponent will receive a response from the USEF office acknowledging receipt of the proposed rule change. The response will include a request for the proponent to proof read a copy of the proposal as it has been entered into the USEF's rule change database system. Please respond in a timely manner.
• USEF staff, including legal counsel, will review each proposed rule change. If there are any questions or concerns, the proponent will be asked to clarify the proposed rule change intent, change the effective date, etc. The Legislative Committee has the right and responsibility to reject proposals for cause.
• The USEF Legislative Committee will designate review of the proposed rule change by any and all standing committees of the Federation and other assigned entities deemed appropriate. When available, committee actions, staff, and legal comments will be listed as part of the proposed rule change report available on the website or which can be obtained from the Federation office.
• Proposed rule changes, with committee and assigned entity comments/actions, will be listed on the Federation website, with an invitation for members to submit their comments. These comments will be forwarded to designated review committees.
• If the proponent cannot attend the annual meeting where the rule change will be considered by the Board of Directors, the proponent must designate another person who will be present and who can address concerns and make decisions regarding the wording of the proposal.
• The USEF Board of Directors and/or Executive Committee may add to, alter, or amend the rules at any meeting, by a majority vote of those present in accordance with GR150. The proponent may speak at any committee meeting and at the Board meeting.

If you need additional help submitting a rule change visit USEF.org. You can also visit USHJA.org for committee or staff contact information.

There has been an update in the USEF rules regarding USHJA membership requirements. The new rules, effective December 1, 2009, state that in order to be eligible for any HOTY (Horse of the Year) points in a USEF hunter and/or jumper competition the owner of the horse must be a member of the USHJA.

SUBCHAPTER 11-D HORSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

GR1109: The Federation offers annual Horse of the Year Awards on a national, district, regional and zone level, in numerous divisions. The purpose of these awards is to encourage participation at Federation Licensed Competitions. In making the awards the Federation in no way implies that the winners are the best in their respective divisions (although they may well be) but certifies that these animals are properly recorded for competition purposes, are exhibited by the recorded owner, who must be a Federation Member, and USHJA Member if competing for awards defined in GR1130, GR1131, or GR1132, and acquired the greatest number of points during a given year. BOD 1/18/09 Effective 12/1/09.

GR1110: Points toward any Horse of the Year Award will not be credited until the applications and fees for the horse's recording, exhibitor's registration, transfer of ownership, name change or addition of owner(s) and owner's Senior Active, Junior Active or Life Membership are received by the Federation office. Furthermore, points toward Horse of the Year Awards defined in GR1130, GR1131, GR1132, will not be credited until the applications and fees for the owner's USHJA Active or USHJA Life membership are received by the Federation or USHJA offices. Exception: Applications for Federation and USHJA Individual Membership and Horse Recordings submitted at Licensed Competitions: BOD 1/18/09 Effective 12/1/09.

Negotiation and corporation produced an agreement on a landmark equine drug issue-allowing for only one nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to be administered to horses competing in a licensed event - at the 2010 United States Equestrian Federation's annual meeting in Louisville.

It was recommended and approved by the board of directors that beginning December 1, 2011, exhibitors should be permitted to give only one NSAID, rather than two, to horses in competition, citing the harmful effects overuse of the substances can have on the animal's health and well-being. (GR410.1)

In preparation for this change, the USEF board approved an interim rule (GR410.4), which will be in effect from April 1, 2010 through November 30, 2011. Members will be permitted to give two NSAIDs in accordance with current rules regarding the administration of NSAIDs, provided that an NSAID Declaration Form is filed with the show office.

Under the current USEF rules, no more than two of the seven approved and quantitatively restricted NSAIDs are permitted in a horse at the time of a USEF licensed competition. The one exception to this rule is that currently phenylbutazone (bute) and flunixin (Banamine) are a forbidden combination, and are never permitted together in the horse at the time of a competition.

Visit USEF's website for a complete list of rule changes approved at the January USEF Board of Directors meeting.

At the 2009 USHJA Annual Meeting the USHJA Board of Directors voted to change the award's name from the Foundation Awards to the Stirrup Cup Awards - feeling that the new name better suited the awards program.

Since 2007, the awards program has been recognizing the accomplishments of the grassroots equestrians and promoting the B and C level competitions. The USHJA Stirrup Cup Awards are is additional and unique awards program which automatically enrolls USHJA members who competing in B and C rated competitions. Visit the Stirrup Cup Awards website to check your points or contact Kristyn Kay at 859.225.6708.

A list of stallions nominated to the Hunter Development Incentive Fund and a schedule of events can be found on the HDIF website. For more infomration please contact Sterling Berry at 859.225.6717.

MARCH

4 Janet McCarroll will be conducting a Lunging clinic at Harrison County Fairgrounds in Gulfport, MS. For more information, please contact Janet McCarroll or 228-669-2687.

6-7 Tonya Johnston will be conducting a Sports Psychology clinic at Sundance Springs Ranch in Shingle Springs, CA. For more information, please contact Pam Cross or 530.957.3335

19-21 Bernie Traurig will be conducting a clinic at Donida Training Center in Auburn, WA. For more information please contact Lynda Case or 206.304.0454.

20-21 Linda Allen will be conducting a clinic at Brookfield Corner Farm in Brookfield, NH. For more information please contact Janet Murfey at janet.murfey@brookfieldcornerfarm.com.

27-28 Tonya Johnston will be conducting a Sports Psychology clinic at Bandalero Ranch in Tucson, AZ. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Buscema at bigdogs4ever@aol.com or 520.548.4179.

APRIL

12 Joe Fargis will be conducting a clinic at Journey Back Stables in Greensboro, NC. For more information, please contact Joan Boyce at journyback@aol.com or 336.299.5067.

17-18 Leo Conroy will be conducting a clinic at Springfield Stables in Mettawa, IL. For more information, please contact Jennifer Tirrell or 847.648.8264.

24-25 Frank Madden will be conducting a clinic at Blackjack Farms in Birmingham, AL. For more information, please contact J. Michael Halbleib or 205.283.3082.

MAY

1-2 Kyle Carter will be conducting a clinic at Blackjack Farms in Birmingham, AL. For more information, please contact Kelly Vaughan-Hanby or 205.902.8307.

15-16 Anna Jane White-Mullin will be conducting a clinic at Alpine Ridge Farms in Sparta, MI. For more information, please contact Rebecca Bradleyor 616.887.1419.

JUNE

11-13 Nick Karazissis will be conducting a clinic at Miwok Stables in Mill Valley, CA. For more information, please contact Linda Rubio or 415.389.9414.

For more information on holding a clinic in your area, please contact Melanie Fransen at mfransen@ushja.org or 859.225.6717. Be sure to check the USHJA Calendar daily as the clinic schedule grows throughout the year.
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ENDS

For more information, please contact Whitney Allen, Director of Marketing and Communications at wallen@ushja.org or 859.225.6707.

Contact us: Mainline: 859.225.6700, Fax: 859.258.9033, Website:  www.ushja.org. 

USHJA has moved to 3870 Cigar Lane, Lexington, KY 40511.

Mission Statement:
The USHJA is committed to advancing and representing the hunter and jumper disciplines by fostering an educated community of equestrians that promotes the welfare of the horse and fairness in competition.

USHJA Resources

USHJA Events Calendar

Program Quick Links

Click here for the featured item of the week.

FarmVet Equine Retirement Facilities Directory is an informational listing of retirement facilities for horses compiled by the USHJA.

USHJA Merchandise offers closeout deals on select items and the latest USHJA fashion and apparel. Merchandise includes hats, polos, vests, bags, trinkets and videos.

Jr. Career Development Program gives members the opportunity to apprentice with a competition official for a day.

Trainer Certification Program is a comprehensive education and certification program for all levels of professional trainers.

Trainer Symposiums offer attendees the opportunity to participate in practical training sessions and round table discussions with top professionals in the industry.

Member's Choice Awards Program gives horse show exhibitors and participants the opportunity to award excellence at USEF Licensed Hunter Jumper competitions through their feedback relating to the competition, the facility where it took place, footing, show personnel and hospitality.

NOW AVAILABLE!

"More Than Just Ribbons"

A great resource for schools, parents and potential sponsors, this video will provide a brief introduction into the world of horse showing for junior equestrians.

While focusing on the bond between child and horse, it delves into the challenges of balancing school, riding, and horse care.