May 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.
The Latest COVID-19 Update from USEF

USEF amended their COVID-19 Action Plan to align with the CDC announcement that anyone who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can participate in indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a face covering/mask or physically distancing. Competition organizers and all persons at USEF-licensed competitions are required to follow state and local regulations. In the absence of such regulations, compliance with the CDC guidelines is recommended. Competition organizers are able to impose stricter requirements at their discretion.
Host Applications for 2022 USHJA Events Due June 1
Online applications from competition managers wishing to offer USHJA championships, special classes and other programs at the zone and national levels in the 2022 competition year are now being accepted. Host applications will close June 1, 2021. Competitions wishing to offer Outreach may apply at any time throughout the year.
National Programs
  • 2022/2023 Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championships
  • 2022/2023 National Hunter Derby Regional Championships
  • 2022/2023 International Hunter Derby Regional Championships
  • 2022 International Hunter Derby Class
  • NEW! 2022 3'3'' Adult Jumping Seat Medal Finals
  • 2021 Outreach Competition
  • 2022 Outreach Competition
  • 2022 World Championship Hunter Rider Member Event
  • 2022 Young Hunter Pony Championships
Zone Specific Programs/Classes
  • 2022 Handy Hunter Challenges (Offered in Zones 4, 6 and 7)
  • 2022 NAYC Zone 10 Selection Trial

Clinics
  • 2022 Emerging Athletes Program Training Sessions
  • 2022 Gold Star Clinics

*Please note that some programs use single-year applications while others establish hosts for multiple years as noted above. For multi-year applications, the selected host will sign a multi-year agreement.
Save the Date—A Town Hall Just for You
An Easier Way to Pay Post Competition Fees

New and no login required—pay your post competition fees online with a credit card via our new post comp payment portal. Just click the button, choose your competition type, insert your horse numbers and pay. You can even upload your results and declarations, as well.
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 
There is one remaining virtual HUCD clinic in 2021: August 23-24 (registration deadline August 9). If you have questions about registering, contact loeducation@ushja.org.

To take advantage of these clinics, 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.
Diversity and Inclusion Resources
The USHJA Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Committee has compiled resources to make your competition a more diverse and inclusive environment.
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.
Add These to Your 2021 Competitions
USHJA Young Jumper Championships Qualifying Classes

Enrolled 5-, 6- and 7-year-old horses must qualify for the new USHJA Young Jumper Championships through designated USHJA Young Jumper Championship Qualifying Classes held concurrently with the 5-, 6- and/or 7-Year-Old Young Jumper divisions.

Add the Qualifying Class to your USEF Competition License in order for your horse show to count as a qualifier! For 2021 only, a presidential modification has been approved to remove the $100 license change fee to add the USHJA Young Jumper Championship Qualifying Class. Competitions only need one Young Jumper class in their schedule to have their horse show count.

When renewing your license for 2022, simply check the USHJA Young Jumper box on the USEF license application to be added as a qualifier. At the conclusion of the show, you must submit results under the specific USHJA Young Jumper section codes to USEF and USHJA, as well as the post-competition fee of $10/horse who competes in the Qualifying Class.
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, begin August 2, 2021. Add this new qualifying class to your fall competition licenses now! Only three riders are needed to fill the class. The existing USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal class for Juniors may be combined with the Adults to fill either section; just note the riders’ section on your results to USEF.

Host applications for the inaugural finals to be held in 2022 are open through June 1. Apply now!
Young Hunter Sections

Have you added Young Hunter sections to your competition? New for 2021:
- Height changes to be more appropriate for developing hunters:
  • Young Hunter 5 & Under 2'9" 
  • Young Hunter 6 & Under 3' 
  • Young Hunter 7 & Under 3'3" 
- Cross entry restrictions removed: horses may cross enter between heights or outside of the Young Hunter sections with no penalty
- More management flexibility: combine, divide, or run sections concurrent with Green Hunter classes. Judges hold 2 cards, horses jump once and get pinned for each section they enter.
Hunter Round Reminders
Start of Hunter Rounds

As shows continue to adapt to the current jog format and strive to adhere to their schedules, encourage your judges to speak up to the in-gate and/or to management if they need additional time to complete the bookkeeping of the previous round before the next horse is sent in. Please support their efforts to complete accurate scoring, allowing them to focus on the beginning of the next round. Reassuring them that they can communicate with the management team and the in-gate to work together to facilitate getting through the day’s worth of rounds can be helpful. Thank you for all your efforts to provide a great experience for our members.
Hunt and Go Format

Both the USHJA National Hunter Derby and International Hunter Derby class specifications offer the potential for the Hunt and Go format. Please be aware that the specifications, particularly for how the format is judged, differs by program. Be sure to check the specifications for the format of the particular class you are offering.
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Photos: Terisé Cole, Rachel Sowinski, Tricia Booker
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U.S. Hunter Jumper Association | Phone: (859) 225-6700 | membership@ushja.org