ushja competition standards compliance evluation program

USHJACompetition Standards Compliance Evaluation Program

The H/J Competition Standards Evaluation Compliance Program

• The program is administered by USHJA• Enforcement is at the discretion of USEF• Approved evaluators will evaluate licensed

competitions to ensure that they are in compliance with USEF competition standards

Who is an Evaluator?• Active professionals with competition

experience• Trainers; Coaches; Competition managers;

Licensed officials, etc.• Selected through an application process• Paid a per diem for services

The EvaluationsEvaluators are assigned competitions and provided the tools to complete an evaluation of the competition’s facilities. • Evaluations will be based on the requirements

for the highest level of competition for the Licensed date holder.

The Evaluations• Evaluations will be objective • Will be based on the Program Evaluation tool• The evaluation tool consists of a checklist of

required USEF standards for licensed competitions.

Why Evaluate?

To ensure compliance with USEF competition standards and ensure consistency in the quality of facilities and services offered by USEF licensed hunter and jumper competitions

How Does One Become an Evaluator?

Complete and return an application to the USHJA Competitions and Properties Department

Have completed a criminal background check in the last 2 years

Become an Evaluator Once an evaluator application is approved• Complete a Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality

Agreement• Complete the USEF Safe Sport Training• Review all related USEF rules pertaining to competition

standards, and complete additional assigned trainings• Complete and pass all required tests (open book)

Get Educated• Become familiar with the evaluation form• Review the standards required for the rating of the

competition within the Educational Materials• USEF Rules• Evaluation- questions• Evaluation- table• Competition charts

Evaluation Form (sample)

Education Materials• As an Evaluator, a familiarity with all USEF

competition rules associated with the evaluation is required

• An education guide is provided for study and reference during the onsite evaluation

Education Materials• Each question on the evaluation form includes a

reference to the related USEF rule and the actual text of all applicable rules, for quick reference, has been included in the Evaluator Education Materials• Keep the education materials with you during the

evaluation process in the event there is a need to reference them

Evaluation Form (sample)

Education Materials• Every licensed competition (except Local) is

required to choose a designated number of “additional items” from the Option Selection List in HJ211• Use the chart included within the evaluation form

to indicate which requirements were fulfilled

Option Selectin List (HJ211) (sample)

Quick Reference Tools• The education materials provide 3 quick

reference tools for easy access to the USEF standards while at the competition• Be sure to review the actual USEF rule for

clarification

Quick Reference Tools (sample)

How to Evaluate a Competition


Items provided by USHJA• Name, date, location of the assigned competition• Rating and number of horses attended in the previous year• What options were chosen by the competition for its rating• Competition prize list• The evaluation and education materials• Measuring tape


Assignments will be made to: • Avoid conflicts of interest • Have evaluator review a competition

once in a given year

Attend the Competition• Bring all education materials, including the

provided competition information, to the competition for easy reference

• The evaluation and education materials will also be available online

Attend the Competition• Upon arrival, introduce yourself and your

purpose to Competition Management• “My name is Bill Moroney and I am here on

behalf of the USHJA to evaluate your competition.”

Attend the Competition• Be kind and respectful• Assure Competition Management that you will not

interfere in the operation of the competition• They will be notified of the results of the report by

USHJA• Direct any questions they may have to the Managing

Director of Competitions and Properties

Expectations of the Evaluator• Visit all areas of the facility in use (all

competition, schooling, exercise and lunging rings, stables, parking, stands, office, etc)

• Talk with show manager, office staff, riders, trainers, and spectators to get a comprehensive overview of the facility and its compliance to the rules (NOT opinion based)

Expectations of the Evaluator• Use the “Options Selection” chart on the

evaluation form on page 5 to check-off which of the chosen required items were fulfilled

• Speak with riders, trainers, and managers to assist in evaluating the footing; it should be appropriate for the highest level of showing at that facility (not necessarily just for the show that day)

Expectations of the Evaluator• Measure all competition, exercise, schooling,

and lunging areas• Take comprehensive notes• Take photos of areas of concern or excellence

Complete the Report

Submit the evaluation form and any supplemental information by email (

[email protected]) or mail within 10 days of the end of the competition

mailto:[email protected]

Questions?

Competition StandardsCompliance Evaluator

Thank you for being a