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USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program

The Green Hunter Incentive Program, which is open to horses eligible to compete in Green Hunters 3', 3'3", 3'6" and 3'9", is designed to encourage the development of green horses. The program is multi-faceted and includes the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship, held during the same week and at the same venue as the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championship in six locations, stake classes throughout the year and across the country, money-won tracking lists, and rider recognition based on overall earnings.

Horses must be enrolled in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program to participate in the Green Hunter Stake classes, regional championships, and to be eligible for the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship. Additionally, horses must be registered with the USHJA and recorded with the USEF to participate in the program.

This program is led by the USHJA International Hunter Derby & Incentive Task Force, and USHJA extends special thanks to this dedicated group of volunteers for their leadership and vision on this program.

Enrollment and Eligibility to Compete

The Green Hunter Incentive Program is open to horses of any age that are eligible to compete as a green hunter at 3'0", 3'3", 3'6" or 3'9" fence heights under United States Equestrian Federation rules. Supporters of the program can purchase an enrollment individually for a specific horse, or a slot at the current rate and designate the specific horse(s) at a later date that year. All enrollments are available to purchase online through your USHJA Member Account.

Horses must be enrolled in the program to participate in the Green Hunter Stake classes, the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship or Regional Championship. Owners/exhibitors are responsible for enrolling their horse(s) in a timely manner and verify green eligibility.

Horses that have participated in the program at the 3'0 or 3'3" level in previous years are eligible for a one-time discount of $100 off the enrollment fee when they are enrolled at the 3'6"/3'9" level.

Green Hunter Incentive Rider Ranking System

The USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program offers a Rider Ranking System for owners to earn additional prize money based on how much money their horse’s rider has won in the program in prior years, favoring those riders with less money-won in the program. Use of the Rider Ranking System is optional in Stake Classes and Regional Championships but is a key offering at the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships each year.

Within the Green Hunter Incentive Rider Ranking System, riders are categorized each year into two tiers based upon their prior earnings within the program.  Owners of horses ridden by Tier II riders may be eligible to earn additional prize money at the Championships in Kentucky, and USHJA encourages competition managers to offer additional prize money to owners of horses ridden by Tier II riders in stake classes and regional championships. Horses ridden by Tier I riders are not eligible to earn Tier II prize money.

Green Hunter Incentive TIER I RIDERS

USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Stake Classes

  • Green Hunter Incentive Stake classes may be held at any Channel I or Channel II hunter competition or any competition that has been approved for a Special Competition status.
  • Each class must offer a minimum of $1,000 in prize money when held at a Channel I competition or a competition that has been approved for a Special Competition status, and a minimum of $500 in prize money when held at a Channel II competition.
  • Horses may be ridden by a professional, junior or amateur.
  • There is no limit to the number of horses a rider may compete in the class.
  • Please verify with the competition what heights are available at their show. Please note all four fence heights may be combined according to section III.C. of the specifications.

View Calendar of Events to find a competition offering Green Hunter Incentive Stake Classes near you.

Specifications for Green Hunter Incentive Stake Classes

CURRENT
GREEN HUNTER INCENTIVE STAKES
(Effective 12/1/2023 through 11/30/2024)

2025
GREEN HUNTER INCENTIVE STAKES
(Effective 12/1/2024 through 11/30/2025)