Important Updates for Competition Managers and Staff

February 2021

Important Information and Updates for Competition Managers and Staff

The following are important USHJA 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.

2021 Modifications Due to COVID-19

Stay up-to-date with the latest information from USHJA regarding COVID-19, including a complete list of USHJA program exceptions granted due to the pandemic, at ushja.org/COVID19. Find US Equestrian's list of resources here.

Download the USHJA Program Booklet

Download the USHJA Program Booklet to view all of the opportunities we have for your exhibitors! If you would like printed copies mailed to your facility, please email hunterdept@ushja.org with your mailing address, contact name and quantity needed. Find other Competition Management Resources here.

Coming Soon: Host Applications

Host applications for 2022 USHJA events will open at the beginning of April. Stay tuned!

Use Bilingual or Multilingual Labels and Signs

The USHJA Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Committee, along with the USHJA Board of Directors, have endorsed the use of bilingual or multilingual labels and signs to increase participation and maximize functionality and safety at our horse shows.

New Hunter Course Designer Requirement for Regional I and II Competitions

Starting December 1, 2021, a licensed Hunter Course Designer with Regional, ‘r’, or ‘R’ status is required to officiate at Regional I and II competitions. Regional status is new for 2021 and applicants need to complete the following licensing requirements:

Maintain a current Active Competing membership with USHJA and USEF
Be current with Safe Sport Training and a USEF background check
Start an online application with USEF
Attend a USHJA Hunter Course Design clinic
Pass an examination with a score of 84% or higher

USHJA is hosting the following virtual HUCD clinics in 2021: March 29-30 (registration deadline March 15) and August 23-24 (registration deadline August 9). If you have questions about registering for a clinic, contact loeducation@ushja.org.

In order to take advantage of these clinics, please review the licensing requirements outlined in the 2021 Licensed Officials Policies and Procedures. If you have questions about the licensing process, contact loinquiry@usef.org.

Find a Licensed Official for Your Upcoming Competition

On the hunt for a Licensed Official for an upcoming competition? The Licensed Officials' Resource page includes a digital version of the 2021 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 Licensed Officials Search tool.

New this year, the printed version of the 2021 Roster will only be sent to those who opt into the mailing. To receive a printed roster, submit your request here.

Add USHJA Jumper Classes

USHJA Young Jumper Championships Qualifying Classes

The USHJA Young Jumper Championships serve as the national championship for young jumpers in the United States and is open to young horses aged 4-8 that have enrolled in the program and qualified.

Five-, 6- and 7-year-old horses must qualify through designated USHJA Young Jumper Championship Qualifying Classes held concurrently with the last class of the week for the 5-, 6- and/or 7-Year-Old Young Jumper divisions. The Qualifying Class must be selected on your USEF Competition License application in order for your horse show to count as a qualifier—simply check the box under the Young Jumper division that will also be a Championship Qualifying Class. There is a post-competition fee of $10/horse that competes in the Qualifying Class.

Contact USEF for any fees associated with adding/changing classes on a 2021 competition license. For questions regarding the YJC, contact youngjumper@ushja.org.

USHJA Show Jumping Rider Ranking List Designation

Add classes at your competition to count towards the USHJA Show Jumping Rider Ranking List! The List recognizes Jumper riders competing at 1.35/1.40m and 1.40/1.45m, providing the top Emerging Jumper Riders with recognition for their achievements in a national ranking list and three regional lists.

If you have competitions with classes that meet the criteria and specifications, the signup requirements are minimal and there are no fees associated with the program. Review the host guidelines and fill out a calendar form to get your classes added. For questions, email jumperdept@ushja.org.

NEW for 2021! USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal

Classes for the USHJA's first adult Equitation program open to Amateur riders 18 and over, the USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal, start August 2, 2021. Add this new qualifying class to your fall competition licenses now! Only three riders are needed to fill the class and the Junior and Adult classes may be combined; just note the riders’ section on your results to USEF.

Host applications for the inaugural finals held in 2022 open in April. Find more information and specifications here.

Helpful Hunter Information

New National Hunter Derby Format

New for 2021, USHJA National Hunter Derby classes can now be run in the Hunt and Go format, as well as the traditional format. See the specifications here for more detail. If you choose to utilize the Hunt and Go option, please make sure the judges are aware they need to award the scores as outlined below:

Two (2) judges are required to judge the class. Each judge will be designated either the Classic Hunter Phase or the Handy Hunter Phase. Each will provide a single score for their designated phase, in addition to the Bonus points of one point per high option jump that will be added to each judging’s score. The scores from each judge will be added together to determine the total score and placement

USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championships Qualifying

Qualifying for the 2021 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championships is still open and has changed to the following: ponies that have placed first through twelfth overall in at least one USHJA Pony Hunter Derby at a licensed USEF competition within the qualifying period will be invited to compete in the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship. West Coast qualifying ends on April 24 and East Coast ends May 29.

Low Children's Hunter and Low Adult Amateur Hunter Added to HOTY

The Low Children's Hunter and Low Adult Amateur Hunter divisions have been added to the Zone HOTY program! In order for exhibitors' points to count, competition management must include "Low x Hunter" in the name of the section, as well as follow and include the Zone's specifications in the prize list. Titles of sections are allowed to read Pre/Low Adult Hunters.