RESPONSE TO STATEMENT BY NATIONAL HUNTER/JUMPER COUNCIL

The officers of the American Horse Shows Association (AHSA) held a meeting today by telephone conference to consider the news release issued Friday, August 11, by the National Hunter/Jumper Council (NHJC) of the AHSA. The meeting was attended by Alan F. Balch, president, Judith Werner, vice president, Linda Allen, secretary, Kathy Knill Meyer, treasurer, and Stephen O. Hawkins, assistant treasurer. David O'Connor, assistant secretary, is in Australia preparing for the Olympic Games and was not available.

The officers were united in the view that the statement released by the NHJC was erroneous in that it indicated that the National Horse Show has been cancelled. On behalf of the AHSA, Meyer stated, "No recognized competition's status within the AHSA is affected by press releases such as the one issued by the NHJC. Only the National, or any other show, can speak officially on its own behalf." The National's own statement was clear that the show had not been cancelled.

"As the National made clear in its statement last week," Balch said on behalf of the National, of which he is also president, "we are considering all our options, especially for the conduct of the Maclay national finals and the National Horse Show Saddle Seat Event, the 'Good Hands.'

We are receiving a great many worthwhile suggestions, and we are evaluating all of them. Our main goal is to develop the best course of action we can for the riders who have qualified for the Maclay and Good Hands. We are also particularly concerned about the status of the jumper exhibitors, who it is now clear were not thoroughly consulted on this situation by the Council leadership."

The officers joined in the following statement, "It saddens us that the NHJC leadership issued its press release (stating that the National had been cancelled), both because that is not true, and because it is contrary to their mission within the AHSA to advance the interests of the Hunter and Jumper discipline. Furthermore, it is misleading to state that members of the Council worked for a month or more to arrive at solutions to make the show possible at the Garden. The record is clear that the NHJC leadership opposed the rule modifications necessary for the Hunter divisions to go forward there."

They joined in adding, "There is apparently some confusion about the definition of 'rating' as opposed to 'recognition.' It is very clear from the proposals circulated to the AHSA Executive Committee that the National was asking that the show be recognized as a Local Member Competition, but with no points. Ratings indicate the point value of the classes held. The National was suggesting a plan whereby the Hunter classes would not have points, but be recognized for rule enforcement purposes. Jumper and Equitation classes are not rated for points, but are recognized, so they were unaffected by the Council's recommendation."

For further information, please contact Christine E. Stafford, Director of Communications on (859) 225 6923 or via email at cstafford@ahsa.org. Press releases are available on our web site - www.ahsa.org.

The American Horse Shows Association, as the National Equestrian Federation of the U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship sports of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, and vaulting, as well as 19 other breeds and disciplines of equestrian competition. As the country's largest multi-breed organization, the AHSA has over 70,000 members and recognizes more than 2,600 competitions nationwide each year. It governs all aspects of competition, including educating and licensing all judges, stewards, and technical delegates who officiate at these shows.