Lexington, KY—-February 23, 2016—-The United States Hunter Jumper Association has opened applications for the 2016 USHJA Children’s and Adult Amateur Jumper Championships, which are being held based on zone geography this year. Riders must apply by May 1, 2016, in order for their Children’s or Adult Amateur Jumper points to count toward qualifying for this year’s Championships.
“These Championships are a tremendous opportunity for Children’s and Adult Amateur Jumper riders to be exposed to a team championship held in a Nations Cup format and earn championship points toward Zone Horse of the Year,” said David Distler, chair of the Jumper Working Group. “We encourage competitors to apply early and watch the qualifying list to see where they stand.”
Earlier this year, USHJA announced updated specifications for the Championships and a shift to base them on zone geography instead of a regional approach. As part of these changes all qualifying periods begin December 1, 2015, and close 60 days prior to the date of that zone’s Championships. Points are retroactive to December 1, but riders must apply by May 1 for their points to count. Only points earned in the owner’s home zone will count toward the Championships, and at least 20 of those points must be earned by June 1.
The Championships will be held across the country as follows:
HITS on the Hudson VII
Saugerties, NY
August 31-September 4, 2016
Qualifying Ends: July 3, 2016
Constitution Classic
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Culpeper, VA
August 24 – 28, 2016
Qualifying Ends: June 25, 2016
Showplace End of Summer
Roscoe, IL
August 10-14, 2016
Qualifying Ends: June 12, 2016
Colorado Fall Preview
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Parker, CO
September 8 – 11, 2016
Qualifying Ends: July 10, 2016
Blenheim Fall Tournament
San Juan Capistrano, CA
September 14 -18, 2016
Qualifying Ends: July 17, 2016
The Championships consist of both team and individual competition, and each zone may field a minimum of three Children’s teams and three Adult Amateur teams to a maximum of eight Children’s and eight Adult Amateur teams. In 2015, nearly 100 of the country’s top Children’s and Adult Amateur riders competed for individual and team medals in the Championships. Each of the Children’s Jumper Individual Champions in 2015 garnered a spot in a 2016 Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Session, presented by Dover Saddlery. Again, this year’s individual gold medalists in the Children’s section will earn a coveted spot in a 2017 EAP Regional Training Session.
For more information about the Championships, visit www.ushja.org/CHAAJumper.
