2020/2021 SEASON POTENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS DUE TO COVID 19 EFFECTIVE JULY 1

Photo by Nicole Sullivan

Below is the plan for return to competition for the IHSA for the 2020/2021 season. It is the hope of the Executive Committee that regions are able to move forward as normal; however, we recognize that there could be challenges in some parts of the country. To address these concerns, the below accommodations are being offered.

These accommodations are to be applied out of NECESSITY and not CONVENIENCE. Regions will have the option to do what is best for their area, BUT are required to appeal to the Executive Committee for any accommodations.

Options available based upon situation within the region:

1.    All schools in the region are in session and able to attend competitions.
a.    Competitions continue as scheduled.
b.    Teams and individuals earn points toward post-season competition as normal.

2.    The majority of schools in the region are in session and able to attend competitions, but other schools in the region are closed or only on-line and will not be able to compete at all during the entire year.
a.    Schools that can compete will continue with a normal competition schedule assuming the region can meet Rule 4200 Minimum Requirements for Regular Member Shows.
b.    Schools that are closed will not rejoin IHSA until they are open and able to compete again.
c.    Teams and individuals earn points toward post-season competitions as normal.

3.    Schools in the region stay on-line for fall semester and return to in-person classes in spring semester.
a.    Spring competitions continue as scheduled.
b.    If insufficient competitions can be scheduled to reach the minimum IHSA requirement for post-season competition, the region can appeal for an accommodation.
c.    Teams and individuals earn points at shows held toward post-season competitions.
d.    The region can appeal for point lowering for Open and Alumni riders if necessary.

4.    Schools in region return to in-person classes in fall, but schools close early for fall semester.
a.    Shows that have been held count toward post-season competition.
b.    The region should look to schedule the remainder of regular season shows for spring semester if possible.
c.    If the region is unable to complete the season per minimum IHSA requirements, the region can appeal for an accommodation for change of minimum competition number if needed.
d.    The region can appeal for point lowering for Open and Alumni riders, if necessary.

5.    Not all schools in the region can compete in all fall or all spring regular season shows due to school travel policies.
a.    The region can appeal for accommodations.
b.    Possibility of having fewer shows count toward post-season competition based on the number of shows where the entire region can compete, eg. Each team can count the best of X shows during the year.
c.    The region can appeal for point lowering for Open and Alumni riders if necessary.

6.    Not enough schools in the region are open or will allow their riders to travel for competitions.
a.    The region can appeal for accommodations.
b.    The region could combine with another region for the 2020/2021 season.
c.    Allow schools to compete in another region for the year (schools from one region be assigned to different regions according to geographic lines. This would only be for the 2020-21 competition year).
d.    Schools that changed the region for the 2020-21 competition year would be required to compete in that region for the entire season (could not switch back to former region part way through the year).
e.    The region can appeal for a possible exemption from Rule 2103 sections A and/or B, regarding the minimum number of competing members for a Region to be eligible to send riders and teams to the post-season.

7.    The region faces a unique situation not mentioned above:
The region can construct a plan for what might work for its schools and appeal for such accommodations.


IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

These accommodations are to be applied out of NECESSITY and not CONVENIENCE.

There will be no lowering of points for individual riders in Hunter Seat classes Introductory, Novice, Limit or Intermediate, nor in Western classes Beginner, Rookie, Level 1 or Level 2.

Only accommodations officially approved by the Executive Committee are valid.

All competitions MUST comply with state and local COVID 19 regulations and protocols. IHSA COVID 19 guidelines for best practices at IHSA competitions will be made available as soon as possible. Information will be distributed to all member colleges and coaches and available on ihsainc.com.

Questions? Contact your region president or zone chair. Find contact information here.