May 2020
Important Information and Updates for Competition Managers and Staff
The following are important updates for competition staff at USEF-licensed competitions. If you ever need assistance, USHJA office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, and our phone number is (859) 225-6700. Thank you for your hard work to make our sport a great experience for everyone! Looking for all the USHJA program specifications and fee report forms in one place? Check here!

Please note: Adding classes may affect competition licensing. Please contact USEF for licensing changes and any additional fees at (859) 258-2472.
Stay up to date with the latest information from USHJA regarding COVID-19 and find a variety of resources at ushja.org/COVID19 .

If you have contracted with USHJA for an event that will either be canceled or has a possible date change due to COVID-19, please contact Katie Patrick at kpatrick@ushja.org to inquire about refunded host fees, updated contracts and date change approvals.
Ensuring a Safe Return to Competition
To ensure a safe return to competition for all parties, US Equestrian has released a Licensed Competitions COVID-19 Toolkit, which includes the USEF Action Plan and other helpful resources for competition managers and participants. Watch the Federation's webinar, Planning For a Safe Return to Competition, here.
Derby Updates—Judges Panels Adjusted for Social Distancing
For the remainder of the 2020 competition year, exceptions have been approved for International Hunter Derby, Pony Hunter Derby and National Hunter Derby judges panels to allow for social distancing. Panels may be split, meaning a single panel may sit separately, to maintain correct distancing protocol.

In addition, International Hunter Derby classes may be run with two 'R' judges as opposed to four, resulting in two scores for the class from individual judges sitting separately. Pony Hunter Derby classes may also run with a single 'R' judge.
Be Part of the USHJA Young Jumper Championship Inaugural Year!
USHJA Young Jumper Championships Qualifying Class Numbers

Five-Year-Old - 1005YJQ
Six-Year-Old - 1006YJQ
Seven-Year-Old - 1007YJQ
Combined Age Classes - 1000YJQ
The USHJA Young Jumper Championships are set to debut in 2021—apply to host a Qualifying Class now! The Qualifying Class will be held concurrently with the last class of the week for the 5-, 6- and/or 7-Year-Old Young Jumper divisions. Every enrolled horse entered in the qualifying class will receive results for the USHJA Young Jumper Championship.

How to add a Qualifying Class:
  1. Select “USHJA Young Jumper Championship Qualifying Class” on your 2021 USEF Competition License application.
  2. Once your license is approved, your competition will automatically be listed in the Calendar of Qualifying Classes online.
  3. Schedule your competition as normal and include the final class of each age group that will be a Qualifying Class.
  4. Submit your prize list with separate class numbers for the qualifying class(es).
  5. After the competition, submit your results with the specific class numbers to USEF and your post-competition fee and report to USHJA.
Share Your Thoughts—Take the Young Hunter Manager's Survey
The USHJA’s Young Hunter Ad Hoc wants your thoughts as they work to address some of the challenges facing young hunters and expand the population of young horses competing. Take the survey to give your input on the topic!
Submit Your Host Applications for 2021 National Programs, Zone Programs and Educational Clinics

Online applications are now open for competition managers wishing to offer USHJA championships, special classes, other competitive programs and educational clinics at the zone and national levels in the 2021 competition year. Applications must be submitted from competitions and facilities looking to host the following programs:

  • 2021/2022 USHJA 3'3'' Hunter Seat Medal Finals
  • 2021 International Hunter Derby Classes
  • 2021/2022 USHJA 3'3'' Jumping Seat Medal Finals
  • 2020 and 2021 Outreach Competitions
  • 2021/2022 Pony Hunter Derby East and West Championships
  • 2021 World Championship Hunter Rider Member Events
  • 2021 Young Jumper Championships
  • 2021 Handy Hunter Challenges (Offered in Zones 4, 6 and 7)
  • 2021/2022 Zone Horse of the Year Championships 
  • 2021/2022 Zone Specific Programs (Zones 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 12 and Regional 8, 9 and 10 Medals)
  • 2021 Emerging Athletes Program Regional and National Training Sessions
  • 2021 Gold Star Clinics

Applications for all of these programs, with the exception of the USHJA Outreach Program, are due June 1, 2020. Competitions wishing to offer Outreach may apply at any time throughout the year.

While host applications are being sought for Zone Horse of the Year (HOTY) Championships, the USHJA will be discontinuing the Stirrup Cup Awards program and championships for the 2021 competition year.
Nominate One of Your Crew for the USHJA Vital Horse Show Staff Award
Nominations are now open for all USHJA Annual Awards, including the USHJA Vital Horse Show Staff Award. The Award honors the support staff of our sport that often work behind the scenes and whose current role is essential to the success of our horse shows. These announcers, starters, secretaries, technical coordinators, facility managers and their crews, ring crews and assistants of every type assist in moving our sport forward every day. Many of these individuals have worked in the industry for decades, and this award recognizes their contributions.

Awards for two recipients—one from the East and one from the West, with the Mississippi River serving as the dividing line—will be presented at the USHJA Annual Meeting, Evening of Equestrians Dinner on December 8, 2020.
Find a Licensed Official for Your Upcoming Competition
On the hunt for a Licensed Official for an upcoming competition? The Licensed Officials' Resource page now includes a digital version of the printed 2020 USHJA Licensed Officials Roster! Find Judges, Stewards, Course Designers and Certified Schooling Supervisors for both national and FEI level competitions. For a live listing of available officials, visit the USEF's Licensed Officials Search tool.
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U.S. Hunter Jumper Association | Phone: (859) 225-6700 | membership@ushja.org