Know Before You Show

Rules Affecting Hunter/Jumper Competition Effective December 1, 2021

The USHJA is helping members Know Before You Show with a simple guide of rule changes taking effect for the new competition year. Click here for a comprehensive list of rule changes that were approved in 2021 for the 2022 competition year and here for the complete 2022 USEF Rulebook.

The following are important rule changes effective December 1, 2021, for the 2022 competition year that affect Hunter/Jumper competition.

 Summary of Rule Change Rule Number

Amateur Rules: This rule change updates the Amateur rules to allow Amateurs to:

  • Accept remuneration for barn duties on or off competition grounds, including but not limited to grooming, tacking and un-tacking, bathing, clipping, lunging, braiding, and stall and tack cleaning
  • Accept a non-monetary token gift of appreciation valued less than $1,000 annually
  • Accept remuneration for teaching or training disabled riders for therapeutic purposes
  • Accept remuneration for serving as a camp counselor when not hired in the exclusive capacity as an equestrian instructor
  • Accept remuneration as a Social Media Influencer or Social Media Brand Ambassador

The rule defines Social Media Brand Ambassadors as social media users who spread the word about a company/brand or its products by posting about them on social media and promoting them to their unique social audience. Social Media Influencers are defined as individuals who have built a reputation for their knowledge, content creation and expertise on a specific topic. They make regular posts about that topic on their preferred social media channels and generate large followings of enthusiastic, engaged people who pay close attention to their content.

It also allows any Amateur ages 25 and under, who has engaged in Professional activities to reapply for their Amateur status utilizing a three-month waiting period, for one-time use. Any subsequent application for amateur status would require a 12-month waiting period.

GR1306.1

GR1306.2

GR1306.6
Mules: This rule change mirrors FEI in permitting mules to compete in Jumper classes. GR127.3
Earbuds: This rule change prohibits the use of earphone(s)/earbud(s) in all areas designated for schooling and exercise.

EQ106
HU App. A
JP103
Metric to English Heights: This rule change clarifies the metric to English corresponding fence heights for all HU and EQ rules for the purposes of eligibility and cross entry.

EQ109
HU109
Equitation Tests: This rule change updates the Equitation tests available for judge to choose from. EQ113
Jogging: This rule change updates the rules on jogging to include the 2020 Presidential Modification of trotting a circle on a loose rein at the end of each over fences performance. This allows a show to run with either the original jog format or the modified format. HU118

Low Hunter Sections: This rule change adds Low Adult Amateur Hunter and Low Children’s Hunter Horse sections to the list of rated Hunter Sections.

UPDATE: The Low Adult Amateur Hunter and Low Children’s Hunter Horse sections will now become rated in the 2023 competition year rather than the 2022 competition year. Members will continue to earn Zone Horse of the Year points in 2022 as they did in 2021. This update is due to an Extraordinary Rule Change pertaining to competition licensing that was approved at the USEF Board of Directors meeting on November 22.

 HU139
WCHR Points: This rule change allows those competing in WCHR Challenge and Spectacular classes to accumulate National Horse of the Year points and money won in their declared section. HU169
Jumper Table Changes: This rule change allows management to change the Table under which a class of less than $25,000 is originally offered due to unforeseen circumstances, such as inclement weather, excessive entries and possible loss of daylight. JP107
Amateur Jumpers: This rule change removes the Amateur Owner Jumper section, leaving only the Amateur Jumper section in place without an owner requirement. Amateurs may compete up to two horses per height section of Amateur Jumpers per competition.  JP117
Young Jumper Course Requirements: This rule change updates course requirements for 5-, 6-, and 7-Year-Old Jumper classes. JP117
Jumper Penalties: This rule change updates the Table of Jumping Faults, outlining that knocking down timing equipment that is not part of the course does not incur a penalty. It also clarifies that jumping out of the arena results in elimination, but that leaving the arena through the in/out gate before beginning the round has no penalty. JP145

Please note that this listing is not a comprehensive list of all rule changes effective December 1, 2021. All rule changes can be viewed here. For more information about rules, visit the Rules and Proposals Overview page.