1. The rule regarding judge selection will now read; Judges, No judge shall judge more than 1″
   NIHJA recognized show during the Winter Season shows and no rnore than 2 NIHJA recognized
   shows during the Summer Seoson. Also adding/changing the sentence regarding length of time
   between horse show judging to read; No judge shall judge any show within 50 days of the last
   show he/she have judged during the Summer Shaw Season.
   
2. The Ground Poles Hunter and Equitation divisions have been added to the list of NIHJA
   optional divisions which will allow the division to qualify for a Year End Award.
   
3. The Crossrails Hunter and Equitation divisions have been added to the list of NIHJA optional
   divisions which will allow the divisions to qualify for a Year End Award.
   
4. The Beginner Hunter and Beginner Equitation divisions, both the Child and Adult sections
   have been changed to remove the restriction regarding the 3 blue ribbons won over fences that
   had previously affected a rider’s eligibility to compete. The fence height restriction remains the
   same.
   
5. The Limit Hunter and Limit Equitation divisions, Child section have been changed to remove
   the restriction regarding the 3 blue ribbons won over fences that had previously affected a
   rider’s eligibility to compete. The fence height restriction remains the same.

6. A Code of Conduct has been established for all members/professionals to follow. Below outlines the
expectations that members are will be asked to follow.

NIHJA Member Code of Conduct

Members/Professionals are expected to behave in a Sportsmanlike way when attending NIHJA events. By attending a NIHJA event, I agree to:

1. Respect the sport, play fairly with integrity, and follow the rules set forth by NIHJA.
2. Respect the decisions of officials and show management. If the need arises, appropriately address situations with the appointed NIHJA steward.
3. Demonstrate good Sportsmanship before, during, and after the competition. 
4. Refrain from the use of abusive language.
5. Not engaging in any behavior that would jeopardize the health, safety and well being of any participant, trainer, coach, official, spectator, or animal.

If you think a member (trainer or competitor) has violated the Code of Conduct in any way, please consult a NIHJA steward so your concern can be addressed with the NIHJA Board. The NIHJA  Board will review all concerns and determine if a violation of the code of conduct has occurred.

If a violation has occurred, the NIHJA board will contact the member via email and US mail. A fine could be assessed, in an amount to be determined. The member will not be considered a member in good standing until the fine is paid. This means the member may not attend any NIHJA events and may not accumulate any additional points towards year end awards. If a professional is not a member in good standing, their clients points would also not be counted.

The NIHJA Annual Meeting was held on Monday, October 17, 2022.

Announcements:

Thank you to all the riders, trainers, parents, and spectators who made the 2022 show season a success! We enjoyed having new members and participants join us at the shows and look forward to even more continued success in the 2023 show season!

Be on the look out for 2022 NIHJA Banquet invitations! The 2022 NIHJA Banquet will be held on November 18, 2022 at the Concorde Banquets in Lake Zurich, IL.

NIHJA is looking for items for the raffle table for the NIHJA Banquet! Please contact Nancy Zeis if you would like to donate an item!

The NIHJA Board for the 2023 Show Season will be:

President – Toni Bruns
Vice President – Val Buesching
Treasurer/Secretary – Anna Van Gilder

Board of Directors:

Dean Battaglia
Jess Battaglia
Alexis Bumbar
Jennifer Heldt
Alexa Maiello
Barb Mangler
Sari Polokow
Nancy Zeis

The 2023 Horse Show Schedule has been updated on the website.

There have been a few rule changes for the 2023 show season. These rules will be updated and placed in a separate post on both the page that contains the rule book and on the home page once they have been adjusted in the rule book.

The Annual 2022 NIHJA meeting will take place at 5:30 PM on Monday, October 17. It will be held at the
Palatine Community Center 250 E Wood St, Palatine, IL. An email with agenda items will be sent to all NIHJA members prior to the meeting.

The 2023 Horse Show draw will take place immediately following the Annual Meeting. The horse show draw is open to Show Managers only.

It’s time to dust of those perpetual NIHJA trophies! They may be brought to NIHJA finals, given to a NIHJA Board Member, or dropped off at Palatine Stables!

The Annual NIHJA Banquet is around the corner! NIHJA is in need of Raffle Table prizes! Contact Nancy Zeis if you are interested in donating a raffle basket or other prize!

Thank you to those of you who have already committed to sponsoring a division for the 2022 NIHJA Annual Banquet. We are still in need of businesses, individuals, or families to sign up to help sponsor a division for NIHJA year end awards!  NIHJA relies in large part on sponsorships to reward our riders and horses for the hard work they have put in throughout the season. Those lovely, large ribbons and cool prizes are provided by our division sponsors!
We still have many divisions available for sponsorship. The cost is $175 per division.  Please consider taking a division or two. Soon, you will see the 2022 Sponsorship Board located in the Show Office at upcoming NIHJA shows. Checks may be given to NIHJA’s treasurer, Anna VanGilder. Sponsor’s names are printed in our Year End Awards Book along with the division they are sponsoring.

As of 4/1/2022, the Palatine April NIHJA show is sold out. We look forward to seeing all riders, trainers, parents, and spectators who will be in attendance!

At the 2021 Annual Meeting, the following rule changes were voted on and passed. All rules changes will be in place for the 2022 Show Season.

• Non-member fee for 2022 is $50.00
• All points will be recorded throughout the show season and a non-member shall be given the
option to pay a $100.00 fee and the NIHJA Membership fee for rider and/or horse nomination to
the Association in order to earn retroactive points to be counted towards a year end award, no
refund of previously paid non-member fees will be awarded. The request and payment must be
received no later than two (2) weeks following the completion of the NIHJA Finals.
• Exception allowing the Children’s Medal to run with only three (3) riders but all three (3) riders
must complete the course for the class to count
• Changes to the Junior Hunter and Equitation (both 14 & under and 15-17) rules that; Ponies may
enter the Division but will not be allowed to cross enter into the Pony Hunter classes or the
Pony Equitation classes at the same competition.
• Change to the Pony Hunter rule that; Ponies may not enter the Pony Hunter Division if they are
entered in any Junior Hunter Division at the same competition.
• Change to the Pony Equitation rules that; Ponies may not enter the Pony Equitation Division if
they are entered in any Junior Equitation Division at the same competition.
• Pre-Green Status-If a horse has shown 3 shows or less for the current season, an owner can
petition in writing the board for reinstatement of their horse’s pre-green status no later than 2
weeks after the completion of NIHJA Finals. If reinstatement is granted, the horse will lose any
points earned during the current season.
• Change to all Limit Rider Divisions (Children & Adults for both Hunter and Equitation) that Riders
cannot show higher than 2’6″ at that show.
• NIHJA Junior Medal Class – Fences 3’0”.
• Change to the Non-Pro Working Hunter – Division will be run at two (2) different fence heights,
2’9” and 3’, rider must elect only one (1) fence height in which to compete at that competition.
Judging for both fence heights will be combined on 1 (one) judge’s card.
• Addition of the Optional Division, Schooling Hunter – Fences not to exceed 2’0″. Open to any
horse or pony. Entries in this division do not affect a horse’s pre-green status.
• The addition of the High Point Jumper Awards to the horse receiving the most points for the
show year in any given Jumper division, will receive the annual High Point Jumper Award, and
another horse with the next highest point total, in any given Jumper division will receive the
Reserve High Point Jumper Award.

The 2022 NIHJA schedule has been posted! We hope to see everyone around the horse shows next year!