The committee recommended several clarifications and the SHOW HIO board agreed to adopt many of those changes for the upcoming season. The SHOW HIO recently met and reviewed recommended changes to the 2016 rulebook made by the SHOW Judges’ committee.

These changes are noted in the Rule Book Divisions and class section and also in Rules and Requirements section of the SHOW Rulebook.

Some of the changes come from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal’s ruling in Contender Farms v. USDA. The ruling overturned the USDA’s Minimum Penalty Protocol and clarified the role of the HIO’s in enforcing the Horse Protection Act. The Fifth Circuit clearly defined the duties of HIO’s and the USDA under the HPA and what roles each play in its enforcement.

 From the ruling it was clear that an HIO is responsible for licensing and training DQP’s, inspecting horses, and informing show management any horse found not to be in compliance for disqualifications from the competition.  Penalties under the HPA are to be assessed by the Secretary of Agriculture after notice and hearing under the due process procedures prescribed by Congress.

SHOW takes seriously its responsibility as a certified HIO and will follow the HPA and its clear language in 2016. Just as SHOW enforced the Minimum Penalty Protocol while it was law, SHOW will now enforce the law as a certified HIO and comply with all requirements in the HPA.

Lastly for 2016 the inspection/industry support fees will be $30. The fee will be split evenly between SHOW and PSHA. Additional inspections/industry support fees at same show will be $30 for padded performance horses and $5 for flat shod entries. 

The rule book will be updated and put on the website within the next five business day. The complete rule book can be found at www.showhio.com.