The Young Jumper Championships announced Nov. 15 that the 17th Annual Young Jumper Championships Eastern League Final will move from the Hampton Classic (N.Y.) to the Princeton Show Jumping Classic, in Princeton, N.J., Sept. 28-Oct. 1, 2016. The qualifying period will be Jan. 1-Sept. 20, 2016.

“We greatly appreciate the Hampton Classic for giving us a home for so many years,” said YJC director Cheryll Frank, “but like any youngster, we have to grow up and leave home. We are extremely excited about our move to Princeton, a state-of-the-art facility with a proven record of supporting young jumpers!”

Princeton Show Jumping has been offering YJC qualifiers for the past 12 years and introduced a championship-level competition for young horses two years ago.

“Moving to Princeton will also allow us the facility we need to grow and expand,” Frank said. “The Princeton show grounds is 110 acres and provides over 60 acres of turf riding space and includes large show rings, immense schooling areas, all with true ‘full drainage’ footing. Princeton will allow us to expand the qualifying list to include a larger number of horses in every age group and will give us the opportunity to really showcase the young horses in the main ring, during prime time.

“The new later date gives our competitors more time to qualify, a higher profile role at a top class facility and all at a more convenient and affordable location,” she continued.