Held in Houston, Texas - January 27-31, 2010
Notes from USPC National Meeting

Medical Armbands
We will no longer collect copies of medical release forms for PC functions (i.e. rallies).        
It will be the members/parents/guardians responsibility to have the medical card filled out and on the member (in armband) for PC functions.
PC functions include: mounted lessons, prep clinics, rallies, etc.

Policy Review
VPRS April Smith is planning to request a massive policy review.
Every region and every club will submit their policies to the national office at some point (probably later in 2010.)
Therefore, all clubs should consider starting their review, with the understanding that any changes need to be ratified through a sponsor meeting (which has had proper 30 days notice.)

Instruction Overview
New 2010 Horse Management Rulebook
EPS – Earned Points System
Still in test phase this year, has been in the planning stages for 7-8 years
Would allow for positive points for those going above the standard (i.e. team has all their required equipment, plus, it is clean, and organized)
Review of USPC Manuals – 80% of the information is still relevant (following a huge review)
Areas that need revision: Nutrition, Tack, Diseases – search other sources/internet for current information
Revision is however in process, probably new versions in the next 3 years
Need more kids to go through the Visiting Instructor’s program, always more requests than bodies to fill the slots.
Also, openings at the intern program at Championships

National Testings
Data:
902 tests applied for (applications submitted) by members
654 tests taken by members
144 tests applied for by regions to host
115 tests held
No one passed SJ specialty rating in 2010 (all failed flat component)
HA test is an extremely expensive test to run, so national only allots 6 tests annually
2009 showed again that the teaching component is the weakest at the HA
New path; HB members may continue directly up to the H test (rather than complete more riding phases).  If they pass the H, then they are called: “H-HM”
Resources for regions hosting tests:
National Testing site (link from uspc.org)
Organizers should have heard from the PIP 6 weeks (or more) before the testing.  If not, contact the national office.
Schedule should be sent to the organizer at least 30 days prior to test date.
Region may charge up to $175 per candidate (as additional charge) as needed to cover costs (facility fees, etc)
Withdrawal from tests has been set at 6 weeks (had been changed to 3 weeks last year)

Alternative Path for Club Level Ratings
Not mandatory!  Ratings can continue as normal
This path is not official yet  -- probably by April 2010
A way to help members achieve success “An opportunity for success”
Must pass Horse Management component first
Must pass flat component before jumping
Continued to be called “flat” rather than “dressage”         
Riding in the open is still a core value, and should be included in all tests
For example:
Could have a member who is a C2 HM & flat, but D2 jumping
But, this member could get a new horse, and catch up in the jumping phase, and could take D3 through C2 jumping in one day (progressing through each part, at discretion of examiner)
HB à H testing approved, and now with the new path, technically, a member could achieve the D1, then continue up through the H testing without riding in a rating again.
Understanding that the teaching component of the H/HA test is the weakest, and that a member moving up without the riding ratings may be at a distinct disadvantage. 
Again, a pass from the HB to H will be called an H-HM
In 2010, committee working on a pure HM track, that may culminate in a “harder” testing that would include components of business management in the horse industry

Club Testings
New guidelines (revised) on-line. “Guidelines for Club Ratings”
Everytime before a club level test, DCs and examiners should read and re-read these guidelines
Flow Charts are stressed, as a way to help prepare members for success
Regional ratings cannot be mandated (per national policy), but can be offered as a way to help smaller regions pay for C level ratings

Club Level Examiners
Lots of variation in club level examiners
In general, D2 and D3 testings have been “hard”, while C1, C2 have been easy.
Some discussion of determining “qualified” examiners:
Possibly requirement of attendance at S&R clinic every 2 years
Recommendation by DC
Other qualifications maintained by RIC in a checkmark system on-line
i.e. could say, yes: ICP instructor, or yes: graduate A, etc.