NIHJA would like to wish you a healthy, happy 2026 and we hope to see you around the shows! Here are a few updates for the 2026 show season.

Online Membership is now open! Click on the Membership tab and sign up to become a NIHJA member for the 2026 show season! Ensure your information is correct in order to receive prize lists, 2026 Awards Banquet info and any updates pertaining to NIHJA.

Rule Changes/Additions for 2026 Show Season

1. Motorized Vehicles/Golf Carts – Minors who do not have a valid driver’s license which allows them to operate a motorized vehicle in the state in which they reside will not be permitted to operate a motorized vehicle of any kind, including, but not limited to, golf carts, motorcycles, scooters, or farm utility vehicles, on the competition grounds of NIHJA competitions. Minors who have a valid temporary license may operate the above described motorized vehicles as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a valid driver’s license. The parent/legal guardian or individual who signs the entry blank as a parent or guardian of a minor operating a motorized vehicle in violation of this rule are solely responsible for any damages, claims, losses or actions resulting from that operation. Violations of this rule will be cause for penalties against those responsible for the child committing the offense.
   
   The unsafe use of personal electronic transport devices, as determined by the competition officials and management in their sole discretion, that do not require a driver’s license to operate, including but not limited to segways, hover boards, electric bikes (e bikes and dirt bikes) and single wheeled scooters is prohibited on NIHJA competition grounds. Operating such devices in areas where people gather or horses have access to may be deemed “unsafe use” if there is a risk of harm to people or horses. If the operator of the device is a minor, the parent/legal guardian or individual who signs the entry blank as a parent or guardian of a minor operating the device in violation of this rule is accountable and may be subject to penalties.
   
   
2. The Combined Jumper division may be split into 2 jumper divisions
   1. Low Combined Jumper – Fences not to exceed 3’6”
   1. High Combined Jumper – Fences not to exceed 3’9”
      
      
3. Puddle Jumper and Schooling Jumper – Table 2.1 (Timed First Round/Speed) may not be used

The 2025 Annual NIHJA Meeting will be held Monday, October 27 at 6:00 PM at the Concorde Banquets in Kildeer.

Here is the agenda for the meeting.

Rule 2 Suggested Revision

Rule 7 Suggested Revision

November 27, 2024

Dear NIHJA Members,

This year has brought some of the greatest challenges NIHJA has ever faced, including a sudden loss in leadership due to a significant health scare to our 2024 President, Toni Bruns. Many individuals in the horse community came together to support Toni in an extremely difficult time.  NIHJA board members, Horse Show Managers, and NIHJA members worked to carry on the 2024 show season knowing there were significant challenges that were going to be presented both during and after the show season.

A few weeks ago, NIHJA hosted their Annual Meeting where all NIHJA members were invited to attend to elect board members for the 2025 show season, discuss concerns of the current show season, and discuss proposed rule changes to move the NIHJA circuit forward in a positive direction. At the completion of the 2024 show season, NIHJA had approximately 600 members. At the Annual Meeting, approximately 50 members attended, less than 10% of the membership. One of the topics that was discussed at this meeting was how to encourage the membership to get involved to help contribute to changes they value as important.

At this meeting, I was elected President for the 2025 show season. A new Vice President, Jennifer Heldt, was elected, and we welcomed two new members, Kelly Fencl and Maureen Zahler, to the NIHJA board effective December 1, 2024. Myself, along with these board members, chose to accept nominations for these positions because we share a common interest in promoting positive change to NIHJA.

Please know, we have many items that we are looking at improving for the 2025 show season. A few of those items include:

• Improving the safety of horses and riders in the schooling and show arenas
• Changing roles and responsibilities of show stewards
• Posting NIHJA Board Meeting dates and meeting minutes to our website for all members to view
• Inviting the NIHJA membership to get involved and providing opportunities for them to do so
• Communicating to NIHJA members how they may bring forward additional concerns in a safe, non-judgmental way to ensure these issues are discussed at NIHJA Board meetings

Many members are unaware of the process in the NIHJA rule book to bring concerns forward to the NIHJA Board. The process is listed in the NIHJA rule book under rules 5F and 8H. Please see the rules below.

• Protest: the Executive Board will handle questions of protest and discipline. Protests at shows shall be made to both the Show Secretary and a Show Steward in writing. This is to be accompanied by a check payable to NIHJA for $25.00. This check will be refunded if the protest is determined to be valid by the Executive Board Members. After completion of the show, protests may be made in writing within 72 hours to the President or the Association Secretary accompanied by a check for $25.00 payable to NIHJA. Minors may protest. Trainers and exhibitors should be aware of all NIHJA rules. Should discrepancies occur causing riders to lose accrued points, NIHJA will not be responsible.
  
• The new NIHJA membership forms, checks or cash from new NIHJA memberships, all collected non-member fees, all collected Medal fees, and all protests must be either given in person to the NIHJA President, NIHJA Secretary/Treasurer or NIHJA Point Secretary at the end of the show, or mailed to the NIHJA Secretary/Treasurer with a postmark dated no later than the Tuesday following the horse show. Failure to provide the materials within the specified time will incur a fee consistent with Section 7 letter N.

NIHJA encourages anyone with a concern to follow the process identified above. Our organization does not condone bullying or harassing behavior as outlined in the Code of Conduct in our rule book. Any issue brought forward through the proper channels will be thoroughly reviewed.

It is my hope that NIHJA members and the horse show community will give me an opportunity to implement many of these changes during the 2025 show season and see for themselves my dedication to providing a quality horse show experience for all exhibitors and horses attending NIHJA shows. I am committed to leading the NIHJA circuit forward in a positive direction and welcome any communication that promote problem solving and uniting our horse show community.

Wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving,

Val Buesching
NIHJA President

It was wonderful to see all of our members at NIHJA finals this past weekend! It was a wonderful show filled with beautiful weather and many wonderful rides!

Our 2024 Annual NIHJA meeting will have a DIFFERENT location this year. It will be held on October 28, 2024 at Concorde Banquets in Kildeer, IL at 6pm with the 2025 Horse Show Draw immediately following. The Horse Show Draw is open to horse show managers ONLY. An agenda for the Annual Meeting will be sent soon. 

As our show season comes to a close, there are a few items we need to remind you of.  

1. NIHJA trophies need to be returned to Val Kinsella @ On Course Riding Academy. The address is 31150 N Gilmer Rd. Grayslake, IL. Phone number (847) 826-6005 

It is ESSENTIAL that we get these trophies back prior to October 7 in order to have our 2024 year end winners added to each trophy. If you need assistance in returning your trophy, please reach out to any NIHJA Board Member.

2. We still have many divisions in need of sponsorship! We have 35 divisions currently sponsored. We have 22 left to go!! Thank you to those of you who already have sponsored!

 Please fill out this form if you are interested in sponsoring. You DO NOT need to pay at the time you fill out the form. It is simply letting us know you will be sponsoring that division.

3. Start thinking about any items that you would be willing to donate for the raffle at the NIHJA banquet in November. More information will be sent out about this in the weeks to come.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the NIHJA Banquet in November!

The NIHJA Annual Meeting was held on October 16, 2023. The meeting was called to order at 6:19 PM.

Toni Bruns, NIHJA President, wanted to thank all horse show managers for a lovely show season with many well run horse shows.

NIHJA elections were held and the positions of President, Secretary/Treasurer, and 4 NIHJA Board positions were voted upon. The results are indicated below.

NIHJA President – Toni Bruns
NIHJA Secretary & Treasurer – Anna VanGilder
NIHJA Board – Dean Battaglia, Jess Battaglia, Barb Mangler & Sari Reid

The following rule changes will take place for the 2024 competition season.

1. Beginner Rider (both Children and Adult) Hunter and Equitation riders must not show higher than 2’3″ at that horse show.
2. The minimum number of competitors in classes 2’3″ and above in order to initiate a California Split is 18. In classes below 2′, it is the discretion of show management to determine the number of competitors they wish to split.
3. Limit Adult Hunter and Equitation will be added to the list of divisions that may be combined and removed from the list of divisions that must be combined.

A member of the Social Media Marketing team will be hosting a social media photo contest on Instagram. They asked for NIHJA to purchase a gift certificate for the winner of the photo contest which was voted on and passed.

The NIHJA Annual meeting was adjourned at 6:55 PM

As the 2023 NIHJA season comes to a close, there were a few items that we wanted to communicate to all NIHJA Members.

1. We are still looking for trophies that need to be returned to Palatine Stables. Trophies must be returned in order for them to be prepared to be awarded at the 2023 NIHJA Banquet.
   
2. The 2023 NIHJA Annual Meeting will be on October 16, 2023 at the Palatine Community Center in Palatine, IL at 6:30 p.m. An agenda will be emailed prior to the meeting.
   
3. The Annual Date Draw for horse show managers will also be October 16, 2023 after the Annual Meeting. This is open to horse show managers ONLY!
   
4. The 2023 NIHJA banquet will be held on November 17, 2023 at the Concorde Banquets in Kildeer, IL. Look for an invitation soon!
   
5. NIHJA is looking for donations for the Raffle Table at the 2023 NIHJA Banquet. Everyone loves a good raffle table and this is an opportunity to help contribute to that. Please contact Alexis at alexis@foxvalleyequine.com if you would like to donate an item.

It’s that time of year already! There are a few things NIHJA needs help with as our competition year begins to come to a close!

If you are able to help us in any of these areas, we would greatly appreciate it!

1. If you have a trophy from the 2022 season, dust it off and return it to Palatine Stables!
   
2. If you can help support us and sponsor a division for the 2023 NIHJA Awards Banquet, click on this link . It will show what divisions are still in need of a sponsor and will gather your contact information. Payment is NOT needed upon submission! If you have questions, contact Emma VanGilder at sponsorship@nihja.net
   
3. We are looking for items for our Raffle Table at the 2023 NIHJA Awards Banquet!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at NIHJA Finals!

NIHJA is looking for individuals, families, or businesses who are willing to sponsor a division for the 2023 NIHJA Awards Banquet to be held in November! Anyone can sponsor and help support the NIHJA competitors!

Division sponsorships are $175 and help provide quality ribbons and prizes for riders and horses who have worked hard this year!

Take a look at this link to see what divisions are in need of a sponsorship! If you are interested in sponsoring, contact Emma VanGilder at sponsorship@nihja.net.