I just got the prize list for the WEC Ocala winter series and it says that for all the non-USEF rated weeks, they will be NSBA (National Snaffle Bit Association) sanctioned. Only 2 weeks are USEF rated, the rest are NSBA.
Sadly I’ll be stuck in Ohio and having to do without any WEC shows this winter, but I’m interested to hear people’s thoughts.
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Seems like a great alternative. I am sure it will be first class. Nice for people not chasing points.
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One of the great things about NSBA shows is that the judges use the NSBA scoresheet and some shows are published on the web for all to see.
How refreshing compared to the crap that we see at most USEF shows.
I LOVE that Roberts did this. I’m sure he only went with NSBA because he could not get USEF sanction… and I’m not sure that the judges’ notes will be published for the classes at WEC but… Maybe we will experience some positive changes to the USEF after thousands of riders/trainers are exposed to this level of transparency.
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I had to open this to make sure NSBA actually meant what I thought it did. Never saw that coming!
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Is this an opportunity for those suspended and banned USEF members to have 10 weeks of showing?
I can imagine Andy Kocher riding, and George Morris, along with every other person banned for life by USEF, having a field day. 
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No. The prize list states that they have a reciprocity policy and will honor USEF and FEI suspensions including safesport suspensions. They are also using the same drug rules as USEF, FEI, WADA and that NSBA uses the University of Kentucky lab for testing.
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Thanks. I’m glad to hear they are keeping things tight in that respect.
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Have they actually held any events at the new facility yet? Is it finished?
WOW! What a breath of fresh air this is that NSBA will be there! I’m SO OVER USEF.
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I’m not sure everyone understands how the NSBA works. You can’t register your average USEF Hunter/Jumper for starters. It’s limited to AQHA, APHA, POA, ApHC, JC, PHBA, Buckskins and the Pintos (sorry if I missed anyone in there). It’s a great option for TB and Appendix owners! Not so great for those of us with Warmbloods which can’t be registered.
And, to the point in the post above, there is the who reciprocity thing…
NSBA is a great association and if you have any of the breeds above, get enrolled and take advantage of it! I love that they also run concurrent classes at the major breed shows so you can get two shows for the price of one. They have a good thing going! I used to show the breed circuits and always loved the NSBA futurities - they know how to have a great time!
For those of us with warmbloods, we will have to slum it out at HITS and WEF in the meantime and hope the dates get challenged.
BTW, I do love how the are transparent with the results. That is part of what I love so much about dressage - the judge has to give you their scores and overall remarks. When will USEF get a clue?
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BTW, I do love how the are transparent with the results. That is part of what I love so much about dressage - the judge has to give you their scores and overall remarks. When will USEF get a clue?
Those dresage tests with the judges comments- those ARE run under USEF rules.
I think you mean “when will USHJA get a clue”.
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Unless you’re chasing division points, who cares? WEC is holding a lot more big-money classes, so as a rider doing the adults, if I had to opportunity show at HITS (earning no points because it’s not my home zone) or show at an unrated show where I can compete in $10k classics every week, I know which I’d rather do.
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But if your horse isn’t one of the listed breeds, would you even be allowed to enter?
You’re making the assumption membership is required to show. Most associations don’t require membership to show, although they may charge a non-member fee. Even USEF has options for non-members to show in some classes (show pass fees). I’m not a member of my state association but can still ride in their unrated shows, I just don’t earn any points.
I’m pretty sure WEC didn’t build and market a show facility to a discipline largely comprised of warmbloods and then implement rules to exclude those horses.
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According to NSBA rule book
file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/2020%20NSBA%20Rulebook.pdf
- To be eligible for competition in National Snaffle Bit Association classes, horses must be registered with a breed association that is recognized by the NSBA or registered with NSBA. Unregistered stock horses may be registered with NSBA per rule #61. Owner and rider must be members, in good standing, of the NSBA to be eligible for trophy and awards programs.
and
- Horses entered in any NSBA approved futurity or stand-alone classes must be registered with NSBA. In order to compete in the futurity or stand alone classes, the NSBA registration must be in the current owner’s name as registered with the breed organization. An NSBA membership is required to register or transfer ownership of a horse. Unregistered horses may register by submitting color photographs showing full left and ride side and full front and back view, specifically showing all marks of identification. Photographs along with a vet certificate showing proof of age must be submitted at time of application.
It is not clear if a horse that is registered with another breed registry(e.g. Connemara or Hanoverian) would count as an “unregistered stock horse.”
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Is the judging the same style for NSBA as it is for USHJA? Or is it more like breed show judging?
According to their website, you have the choice of (in addition to the various breeds that aren’t WB) “unregistered” or “microchip”, so i am wondering if that means that being microchipped (as most of ours are, per USEF anyway) is a way around all that?
Has no one considered that this maneuver is to circumvent the FEI role that doesn’t allow an FEI rider to compete at a non national sanctioned horse show without a six month suspension (from FEI competition)? Quite a daring maneuver but I’m not sure it will succeed since it’s not the National federation that governs hunter/jumper. I guess we will see.
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It was stated upthread that they will be upholding USEF and FEI suspensions.
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I think jumpinghigh83 is referring to the rule that gained attention during covid-19 when judges were hired to judge online horse shows and FEI reminded them that the rules state that FEI members can’t participate in competitions that aren’t sanctioned by the NGB. There were a few threads on the topic.
Of course that rule never seemed to be enforced previously except in the fight with the Global Champions League. No idea if WEC would merit the same attention.
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