The NJHSA is an affiliate member of USEF, and the NJHSA rules are concurrent with USEF Rules.
The NJHSA High Score Awards "Show Year" is September 1 through August 31.
Riders, horses, and ponies are eligible for High Score Awards ONLY if they are registered with the NJHSA and application fees have been paid. Membership becomes effective upon receipt of a completed application and the appropriate fees by the Membership Secretary. NO POINTS WILL BE ACCRUED FOR RIBBONS WON BEFORE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF MEMBERSHIP.
In cases of multiple ownership of a horse or pony, ALL owners of record must be NJHSA members or on points will accrue.
Stables, Farms, or Corporations who wish to register their horses and ponies must be registered as members. In addition, an officer of the Stable, Farm, or Corporation must be a Senior Member.
Throughout these specifications the definitions of Junior Rider, Adult Amateur and Amateur-Owner will conform to the definitions established by USEF:
Junior Rider: Has not reached his/her 18th birthday as of December 1 of the current Show Year.
Adult Amateur Rider: No longer eligible as a Junior Rider, and is an Amateur according to the USEF definitions. Adult Amateur Riders must hold a valid USEF Amateur Certification.
In NJHSA classes/divisions where eligibility is determined by "ribbons won," only first place ribbons which meet the following criteria are counted:
Won at USEF Recognized Shows
Won in classes with eight or more entries
Won in equitation over fences classes in which fence heights exceed 2 feed. EXCEPTION: to move from Intermediate to Open equitation status, the rider must win twelve (12) first place ribbons competing over obstacles 3'3" or higher. (This rule affects eligibility in the Children's Hunter divisions.) See a further exception in the Preliminary Adult divisions.
Relevant to the Preliminary Adult Status: Adults who have not shown for five years at ANY horse show over fences at 3' or more in height may regain their limit status upon application in writing to the NJHSA. Waivers will be granted in writing by the NJHSA. Riders must possess a valid USEF Amateur card.
Members found to have misrepresented themselves (i.e., rider's age, rider's level as maiden/novice/limit, horse/pony size or eligibility, etc.) will forfeit ALL points earned in the division. Thereafter, points will be awarded only in the correct divisions of eligibility.
Be certain to check horse show prize lists to determine whether NJHSA Points are carried and will be counted. Be certain a prize list is correct and states CURRENT specifications. NJHSA CLASSES AND DIVISIONS MUST BE LISTED CORRECTLY FOR POINTS TO COUNT.
The following conditions must be met:
NJHSA Rules and Specifications must be followed for points to count.
THREE (3) entries must be awarded ribbons in each class for points to count.
A minimum of THREE (3) classes constitute a division. All three must run for Championship and Reserve Championship Bonus points to count. In Hunter divisions, the three classes must include an Under Saddle class. Additional classes may be added at the discretion of show management.
A horse/pony MUST show in at least one "over fences" class for the under saddle points to count for that horse/pony. Otherwise, all individual classes earn points.
If a division is offered, but one or more classes are not completed, points will be awarded in classes which are filled or completed. No Champion or Reserve bonus points will be awarded unless three classes (including an Under Saddle class in Hunter divisions) are filled and completed.
NJHSA Point Value Award System
| Ribbon Won | 3-8 Entries | 9-15 Entries | 16-25 Entries | 26+ Entries |
| 1st | 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 |
| 2nd | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 |
| 3rd | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 |
| 4th | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| 5th | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| 6th | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Championship Bonus Points:
10 points
Reserve Championship Bonus Points: 5 points
Please note that points for Championship and Reserve Championship DO NOT change with the number of entries.
Determining Champion and Reserve Titles
For all Hunter Divisions:
| Ribbon Won | Points |
| 1st | 10 |
| 2nd | 6 |
| 3rd | 4 |
| 4th | 2 |
| 5th | 1 |
| 6th | 1/2 |
Only the top four horses will receive points for ribbons won in the under saddle class. Ties will go to the horse scoring the most points over fences.
For Equitation, Pleasure, and Jumper Divisions:
| Ribbon Won | Points |
| 1st | 5 |
| 2nd | 3 |
| 3rd | 2 |
| 4th | 1 |
Any ties will remain tied and receive equal points.