Key Changes for 2023:

The NPS wishes to highlight the following key changes to the 2023 Rule Book:

• • It is now mandatory that whiskers are not to be trimmed for any breed.
  • Spurs may be worn in the Arena Eventing and NPS Dressage qualifiers and finals only.
  • Impartiality rule 4.3.c for judges and competitors now prohibit the judging of a pony that has a connection with the judge as a loan or lease
  • In the NPS/Supreme Products RIHS M&M WHP Championships, riders must have competed in at least 2 M&M WHP Royal International Horse Show qualifying rounds before competing in the Final at the Royal International Horse Show and must send proof of this to the office as per the instructions on the allocated qualifying card
  • No rider may ride more than one pony in a class except that riders in all WHP and Arena Eventing classes (excluding training stakes) that are not qualifiers for HOYS or RIHS who may ride up to two ponies of the same height in a class, and both ponies can go forward for show and conformation judging. There must be no change of rider between the phases.
  • Marks allocated in M&M WHP classes for type and conformation will be expanded to include Breed type/ Conformation/ Condition
  • The maximum height and width of fences in the NPS/Sarah Please Memorial Junior WHP classes have been reduced.
  • In NPS/Anthony Evans Arena Eventing Challenge qualifiers and the final the use of body protectors remains strongly recommended and it is also strongly recommended that a jockey skull cap is worn with no fixed peak or peak type extensions. A removable hat cover with a light flexible peak may be used if required. In the interests of safety, long hair should be plaited or secured appropriately in a hairnet.
  • Penalties and the suggested speed for the cross country section of this class have also been amended.