Date: April 25, 2005

A 4-page handout supplied by United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) was distributed. It was explained that the handout was a collection of "everything under the sun" being investigated by the Show Standards Committee. Nothing on the list is set in stone, nor will any item necessarily end up being a standard requirement, much less definable. The handout was distributed purely as a discussion guide for the forum.

Facility-Operations Grid

Group's Facility-Operations Top Five Concerns (in order of importance)
1. Footing & Footing Maintenance
2. Bathrooms
3. Schooling Area
4. Exercise/Lunging Area
5. Parking

Ambulance
The group was in favor of having an ambulance at shows for the entire day at all levels. Several attendees expressed the opinion that it is impossible or nearly impossible to find an ambulance company that is willing to commit to sitting for the entire day. Since it appeared to the group that an all day ambulance requirement might be impractical, they chose to embrace the current USEF rule of an ambulance on call with an EMT present during the entire show day (escalated to 2 EMTs when there are 3 or more rings.)

Bathrooms
The group acknowledged that either permanent or portable bathrooms were acceptable at all levels; however, the group unanimously voted for daily cleaning as a requirement regardless of show level or type of facilities. If the bathrooms are portable, there should be at least one bathroom for every 50 horses present on the grounds.

Bedding Supply
The group embraced the USEF rule that bedding be available at "A" level shows or above.

Communications
The group unanimously voted that all level shows should have a PA system that is adequate to reach all exhibitors on the grounds; and, if stabling is offered the PA system should be clearly audible in all stabling areas.

Competition Arena Enhancements
The group agreed that jump filler material and decoration is appreciated; but, the safety of the jump design is of primary importance. Safety over beauty. The ring fencing was an important issue to the group. Several attendees suggested a requirement for permanent fencing around the ring perimeters at all levels (as opposed to the white plastic chain,etc.) But, after much discussion the group's suggestion was modified to a requirement that at all show levels the perimeter ring fence should be at least 3' high regardless of the fence material. The group also suggested a requirement that all levels of shows should have a gate or other barrier on the ring opening.

Computerized Office
The group acknowledged that when a show has a significant number of post entries, a computerized office can actually be detrimental. The group agreed that the level of post entries is the defining factor, rather than level of show, that should dictate the requirement for a computerized office.

Exercise Rings/Lunging Areas
The group acknowledged that a USEF requirement already exists for exercise rings. The group also acknowledged a need for safe lunging areas with appropriate footing. But it was the position of several attendees that weather conditions and logistical constraints might make it rather difficult at some shows, to accommodate separate lunging areas and exercise areas. For instance there are some winter Zone 2 shows where it is challenging to merely plow snow for parking; and, an outside exercise or lunging area is not practical. The group compromised on a suggestion that at all level shows, a lunging time in a designated area with appropriate footing must be scheduled during every show day. The group also unanimously voted that exercise areas and lunging areas with appropriate footing (like that in the show rings) would be considered an amenity.

Feed/Hay
The group embraced the USEF rule requiring feed & hay to be available at shows with stabling.

Food & Beverage Facilities
The group voted to require, at all level shows, that food and drink be available as long as the show runs. The group acknowledged that a limited menu could suffice for late night schedules; but, no food service was not acceptable.

Footing
Footing was considered an extremely high priority for all attendees; but, the group was unable to come to a consensus on a definable standard for good footing that would traverse all levels and all venues. Instead, the group decided to combine footing with footing maintenance, since they go hand in hand. The appropriate type of footing maintenance is directly linked to the type of ring footing. The group supports the requirement that all level shows should supply a written footing description and a footing maintenance plan. Both should be printed in the prize list. All exhibitors could then monitor the show management's adherence to their own written footing plan. The group also discussed that at a minimum the ring should be level and provide for drainage.

Garbage Disposal-Grounds Maintenance
Having trash cans at least at every ring, in every parking area, in every stabling area and at the concession area was a unanimously supported requirement at all show levels. There was also a suggestion that the parking attendant could hand out trash bags. Sufficient garbage cans and having those cans emptied as soon as full was a vigorous discussion point; and, apparently a problem at many shows.

Judges' Stands
Judges in the group mentioned that they are often asked to simultaneously process numerous scorecards in an inadequate judges' stand space. So the group supports, at all levels, a judges' stand with sufficient space for the judge to spread out and work properly.

On Site Laundry Service
The group supported the existence of an on site laundry service when the show runs for more than 3 days. But some attendees mentioned that there are often local environmental laws that would prevent disposal of gray water into existing systems; therefore, the group compromised by considering on site laundry as an amenity.

Lighting
The group supports a requirement that if stabling is offered, there must be sufficient lighting and that lighting must be left on 24/7. Although the group supported sufficient show ring lighting they were unable to develop a definable standard.

Manure Disposal
For shows with stabling, the group supports a requirement that manure be removed at least once daily.

Parking
The group unanimously supported a requirement that, at all show levels there be a parking manager.

RV Hookups on Site
The group considers this an amenity.

Schooling Area Jump Equipment
Sharps Disposal
Stabling
The group embraced the USEF rules.

Schooling Rings
The group embraces the need for appropriate schooling rings as required in the existing USEF rules; however, when weather or logistics prevent show management from offering schooling rings, the group supports a requirement at all show levels show management provide schooling sessions in the show ring at no charge to the exhibitor.

Spectator Seating
Shelter/Shade for horses, exhibitors, spectators
Wash Racks
Considered an amenity by the group.

Telephones
The group voted unanimously that, at all levels, a show should provide exhibitors with access to a land line.

Water Truck
The group voted to change this category to Dust Control and make it a requirement at all show levels.

Personnel

Group's Personnel Top Five Concerns (in order of importance)
1. Steward/Steward Conflicts
2. Jump Crew
3. Schooling Person
4. Show Manager
5. Judges

Announcers
The group supported a requirement for an announcer at every show regardless of the level. Although the group acknowledged the practice at some shows to have the announcer double as a starter. The group did agree that at a "AA" show an announcer should not announce more than 2 rings.

Course Designer
EMT
Judges
Secretary
Veterinarian

The group embraces the existing USEF rule.

Farrier
The group embraces the USEF rules that apply to a farrier being on call or required; but, there was a lively discussion about acceptable farrier "on call" times. Some attendees took the position that the on call time depends purely on the farrier's schedule: Other attendees took the position that if an exhibitor has to wait for more than an hour for an "on call" farrier to arrive at the show then the farrier is not actually "on call."

Feed Manager
Sponsor Manager
The group voted to leave this up to show management.

Hospitality Director
Photographer
Press Officer
Ringmaster
Security- General
Videographer
The group voted to consider this an amenity.

Jump Crew
The group voted that all level shows must have at least one jump crew member; and, that one jump crew member can have no other duties (such as starter.)

Manager
The fact that USHJA is considering the licensing of show managers was discussed. The group's opinion was that the show manager should either be on the show grounds during all sessions or appoint a Technical Coordinator to stand in his/her place.

Marketing Director
The group did not see the need for this position.

Parking/Traffic Director
Starters/In-Gate
The group supports a requirement for a parking director at all shows; and, a starter at every show at every in gate.

Ribbon Presenter
The group supports a requirement of a ribbon presenter at all shows in divisions where the entries are jogged for soundness.

Schooling Supervisor
The group supports a requirement of a schooling supervisor at all level shows; and, a requirement that the schooling supervisor be present any time schooling sessions are allowed.

Security Night Watch
Stabling Manager
The group's position is that any show with stabling should offer these.

Stewards
The group voted to give positive reinforcement to the rule that a show with 4 rings must have 2 stewards. It is suggested that some show managers may oppose this rule alleging that having 2 stewards is overkill, but the forum attendees strongly supported the 2 stewards for 4 rings rule. However, the attendees were not in support of the existing rule restricting the stewards' ability to do repeat work for shows. It was the group's position that with the limited number of available stewards, this restriction makes finding a steward nearly impossible at times. The group strongly supported a rule change that stewards be assigned to shows by USEF, instead of shows hiring the stewards; however, the impracticality of such a system was discussed and acknowledged. The group discussed the current check and balance system where exhibitor show reports are submitted to USEF by the exhibitors; and, those reports are the check and balance against the steward's report. But, exhibitors rarely submit these reports even when there is a problem at the show. The group voted to recommend instituting a requirement that stewards be required to gather a random sampling of completed exhibitor reports to be submitted to USEF with their steward's report. The number of random exhibitor reports to be based upon the number of horses entered.

 

Amenities

Group's Amenities Top Five Concerns (in order of importance)
1. Prize money
2. Trophies/Awards
3. Water at the In-Gate
4. Seating
5. Reasonable Charges-Office Fees

ATM machine
Cyber-Café
Exhibitor Parties
Food Courts
Official Souvenir Program
Postal Service
The group voted that this item should not be considered for determining the level of a show.

Awards
The group embraced the USEF rule for ribbons and considers trophies as an amenity.

Exhibitor Lounge
Seating GA grand stand
Seating VIP/Box/Tent, etc
Sponsor Lounge/Tents
Vendors
Website (electronic entries, daily results, etc.)
The group considered this an amenity at "A" and "AA" level shows.

Lodging
The group voted to stay with the USEF rule.

Media Coverage
Prize Money- hunters, jumpers
Exhibitor Seating
The group voted to consider this an amenity.

Water at In-Gates
The group voted to make this a requirement, not an amenity, at all show levels.

Enforcement of Show Standards

The group discussed the fact that certain licensees may fail to adhere to show standards. When such a failure occurs it was the group's unanimous position that no license should be affected without a warning to the show management and a cure period. The group's position was that show managers that cured the deficiency during the cure period should have their license unaffected. There was a concern over USEF's ability to provide show management a speedy notice of the deficiency. Some managers run multiple consecutive shows or shows that run in close date proximity to one another, so prompt notification of a deficiency would be a necessity so that the deficiency doesn't continue through multiple shows. The group's position is that the deficiency notice should be issued to show managers within 30 days or before the show manager runs another show. If the USEF fails to meet this notification time, the licensee should receive no penalty.

Measures to Increase Exhibitors at USEF Shows

Several managers of shows holding both "B" and "C" rated divisions explained the current USEF rule that they must offer a certain number of "B" rated divisions. Often theses "B" rated divisions don't fill, where the "C" rated divisions often do fill. These show managers are concerned that in the future under the new licensing structure, if their "B" divisions fail to fill their shows will lose its rating. The group voted to support a rule change that would allow shows holding both "B" and "C" rated divisions to count their "C" rated divisions as one of the divisions to be held to satisfy the "B" rating requirement.

The group also voted to support a rule change that would allow a reduction in the requirement that "A" rated divisions with four classes over fences must be held over 2 days. The group strongly believes that allowing "A" rated divisions with 4 classes over fences to be held on one day would have an enormous positive effect on increasing participation in those divisions.

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