The National Horse Show Association of America announced new information for their rules and regulations, as well as the declaration form for the 2009 ASPCA Maclay equitation classes. ASPCA Maclay classes are held nationwide and count as qualifiers for the ASPCA Maclay Regionals and the ASPCA Maclay National Championship.

The new information for the rules and regulations section for the ASPCA Maclay classes reads as follows under the "Conditions Governing Regional Final Competition" heading: "Riders must compete in either the Regional Finals of their own official USEF residence, the official USEF residence of their trainer or choose another unrelated region. Riders competing in the Regional Finals of their resident states must meet the qualifying requirements of their resident state.

Riders competing in the Regional Finals of his or her trainer's resident state, must meet the qualifying requirements of whichever is greater—the rider's resident state or that of the trainer.

If a rider enters to compete in another Regional Final other than his or her own or trainer's region, they must have obtained the highest number of points required in the state within the chosen region or their own region, whichever is greater."

Karen Healey, a trainer from California and the chair of the United States Hunter Jumper Association Hunt Seat Equitation Task Force, pointed out, "It had become increasingly difficult to police people who were taking advantage of the old rule and were cheating by entering a Regional Final that required less points than their home state. This is to help make it an even playing field for all of the riders."

Also changed in the rules and regulations under the "Selection and Finalists" heading is: "In order to qualify for the Regional Finals conducted by the National Horse Show Association, contestants must win the following: in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, a rider must win 50 points." This has changed from last year from 60 points. However, riders competing in ASPCA Maclay classes may continue to show until they have reached 60 points.

Leo Conroy, the chair of the National Horse Show Maclay Committee, stated, "We lowered the qualifying points for Region 2 in response to the concern from trainers that in order to reach 60 points, horses were showing more than they should be. This decision was made for the welfare of the horse and to also give riders and their parents some relief in these economic times."

The declaration form for ASPCA Maclay competitors is new as well. A new form must be filled out and sent in to the National Horse Show Association of America.

The new Rules and Regulations, as well as the new declaration form can be found at the National Horse Show website at www.nhs.org.