The following rule changes were approved for the 2025 Horse Show Season at the Annual Meeting held on October 28. 2024 .
- Rule 7.E. The Show season will be divided into two (2) separate horse show draw seasons:
1) A winter season ending on April 15
2) A summer season ending with NIHJA Finals.
3) The number of summer horse show dates will be at most 11 plus NIHJA Finals (12 total). There may be 6 winter horse show dates. - Rule 8.L(b)18 Novice Hunter: Open to any horse or pony. Fences not to exceed 2’3”
- Maiden Hunter (formerly Children’s Hunter) – For horses and ponies. Fences not to exceed 2’6″. Open to junior or amateur adult riders who have not won six (6) blue ribbons, over fences, prior to December 1, 2024 at a recognized Hunter/Jumper Association show. Ribbons won in classes under 2’6” do not affect eligibility. Eligible Junior/Amateur Hunters can cross enter.
- Rule 8(L) a. Junior Hunter and Equitation divisions have been changed to the descriptions below.
1) Low Junior Hunter – Fences not to exceed 2’9″. Ponies may enter the Division but will not be allowed to cross enter into the Pony Hunter classes at the same competition. Riders may cross enter into the High Junior Hunter classes at the same show.
2) High Junior Hunter – Fences not to exceed 3’0″. Ponies may enter the Division but will not be allowed to cross enter into the Pony Hunter classes at the same competition. Riders may cross enter into the Low Junior Hunter classes at the same show.
6) Low Junior Equitation – Fences not to exceed 2’9″. Ponies may enter the Division but will not be allowed to cross enter into the Pony Hunter classes at the same competition. Riders may not cross enter into the High Junior Equitation classes at the same show.
7 ) High Junior Equitation – Fences not to exceed 3’. Ponies may enter the Division but will not be allowed to cross enter into the Pony Hunter classes at the same competition. Riders may not cross enter into the Low Junior Equitation classes at the same show.
- Rule 8S. Medal Classes: All NIHJA shows must offer NIHJA Senior, Junior, Children’s, Children’s Mini & Adult Mini Medal Classes. All Medals Class riders MUST be current members of NIHJA. The rider must have a current NIHJA membership (and must be a member in good standing) prior to riding in any of the NIHJA Medal Classes. Four (4) riders must complete the Medals course in order for the class to be awarded full points. If under 4 riders complete the course, then a half point system will go into effect. See below. No Medal class will combine with any another Medal class. Medal riders who win a medal class with a half point system will not automatically qualify for Medal finals.
Points under the half point system will be awarded in Medals classes with less than 4 riders completing the course as follows:
1st – 5 points
2nd – 3 points
3rd – 2 points
The top twenty (20) Senior, Junior, Children’s and Mini riders will be invited to the Medal Finals ride – off. The top twenty (20) positions will be filled first by medal winners, then by top point winners. In the event of a tie for the 20th (position) rider, the tied riders will be invited. The class will be held over a course of at least eight (8) fences, including at least one (1) combination. (No combination is required for the Mini Medals course). There must be at least two (2) changes of direction. At least four (4) riders who have completed the course will be called back by the Judge for a work – off at the Judge’s discretion. The Mini Medals test may be incorporated into the course, excluding finals where a minimum of four (4 ) riders may be called back at the judge’s discretion.)
The Medal course must not be posted until schooling is closed. The order of go as well as the course must be posted one (1) hour before the class begins. The courses used for the Medal Classes MUST be different from any other Hunter, Jumper or Equitation course used at that show. The Medal courses are to be approved by the stewards before it is posted. NIHJA will provide the medals for all Medal Classes.
NOTE: Medals are open to all riders all year long, however a rider may not cross enter into one of the larger
medals at any one show. If a rider wins the class in one of the larger medal classes, they cannot ride in any
subsequent lower height Medal classes and cannot ride in the lower height Medal Finals for a period of five (5)
years or a petition to the Board for approval.
- Additionally, revise Rule 8.U
The following divisions or classes must be combined with their respective division as shown if they are not filled:
1) Low Junior Hunter and Adult Hunter 2’9”
2) Low Junior Equitation and High Junior Equitation
3) High Junior Hunter and Amateur Adult Hunter
4) Small Hunter and Large Hunter
5) Modified Children Equitation and Modified Adult Equitation
6) Modified Children Hunter and Modified Adult Hunter