The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce five new competitive opportunities for members for the 2021 competition year: the USHJA Hunter Team Challenge, USHJA Young Jumper Championships, USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal and regional championships for the USHJA National Hunter Derby and International Hunter Derby programs.
The USHJA Hunter Team Challenge offers riders competing in the 2′-2’6″ Children’s Pony Hunters, Low Child/Adult Hunters and 3′ Children’s/Adult Amateur Hunter divisions a unique team experience. There are no qualifying procedures, but riders must meet eligibility requirements listed in the program specifications. To participate, riders must pre-enter with the horse show on a first come, first served basis. Sixteen riders in each of the three sections will be accepted.
The Hunter Team Challenge will take place over two days, consisting of over fences and an under saddle, and will be held in three regions: East, Central and West. For more information and to see 2021 Hunter Team Challenge dates and locations, visit ushja.org/HunterTeamChallenge.
The USHJA Young Jumper Championships will serve as the national championship for young jumpers in the U.S., allowing talented prospects to be showcased by owners, breeders and riders and shown at the national level. The competition will offer separate championships for 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-year-olds. Four-year-olds will compete in a style and jumping championship, which includes a first qualifier and final set at .90m. Five- through 8-year-olds compete over a three-round format that features first and second qualifiers and a final set from 1.15-1.40m based on each age section, as well as a consolation classic for horses not competing in the final. In addition to prize money, incentives and bonus prize money will be offered for United States breeders and American-bred horses.
Horses must be enrolled to be eligible and must be registered with USHJA and recorded with USEF to participate. The 2021 Championships will be held September 8-12 at the MMG Fall Show in Traverse City, Michigan. For more information and to enroll, visit ushja.org/YoungJumper.
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Making its debut as the first USHJA adult equitation program, the USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal class will begin August 2, 2021, with inaugural finals being held in 2022. Modeled after the successful EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal for junior riders, the adult section is open to adult amateur riders 18 and over who have not competed in a USEF Talent Search or jumped at 1.30m or higher in the same competition year. Riders must be current amateur members of USEF and USHJA. Riders qualify for the USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal Finals by earning 10 or more points during the qualifying period. Finals will be hosted on each coast, and qualified riders may choose either location. For more information and program specifications, visit ushja.org/JumpSeatMedal.
Regional Championships for the USHJA National Hunter Derby and USHJA International Hunter Derby competitors will also be available starting in 2021. Six regional championships will be offered for each: North, North Central, Northwest, South, South Central and Southwest. The National Hunter Derby Regional Championships will follow the same two-round format as the regular National Hunter Derby Class, however the championships will be offered in three sections: open, amateurs and juniors. For more information about National Hunter Derby Regional Championships including dates and locations, visit ushja.org/NHDRC.
Six Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships will also be held in addition to the national Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship held in Kentucky. As part of a new requirement for the International Hunter Derby program in 2021, horses must be enrolled to be eligible to participate in International Hunter Derby classes, regional championships and the national championship. For more information about International Hunter Derby Regional Championships including dates and locations, visit ushja.org/IHDRC.
