Membership FAQ

VIEW THE USHJA HORSE & MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT CHART

To compete in any hunter, jumper, equitation or hunter breeding classes at recognized competitions as an exhibitor*, rider, trainer, or his or her agent(s), a person must be an Active member of the United States Hunter Jumper Association or pay a Show Pass fee of $30 to the USHJA (exception: local competitions, breed-restricted hunter seat equitation classes and exceptions listed in GR901.9). The USHJA membership is in addition to the United States Equestrian Federation membership requirements.

*An exhibitor is defined as the owner or lessee of a horse when entered in a class where only the merits of the horse are to be considered. In equitation classes, exhibitor refers to the rider. See GR121. A good rule of thumb is anyone who signs the entry blank has to be an Active member of USHJA.

No. The USHJA membership is required only if you are showing in hunter, jumper, hunter seat equitation or hunter breeding classes at non-breed-restricted licensed competitions, which are competitions not restricted to a particular breed.

No. A person is not required to be a member of USHJA or pay the Show Pass fee at Local competitions. See GR310.3

Yes. All horses competing in United States Equestrian Federation non-breed-restricted licensed competitions with hunter, hunter breeding, jumper and hunter seat equitation classes must be properly identified and must obtain a registration number from USHJA.

  • To compete at a USEF-licensed hunter, jumper or hunter/jumper competition, every horse must be registered with the USHJA for a one-time fee of $75.
  • Members will still have the option of recording their horses either annually or with a lifetime recording with the USEF if they are interested in accruing points for Horse of the Year, Zone and Stirrup Cup Awards, USHJA programs as noted in program specifications, and to accrue points on the USEF Computer Ranking List.
  • Each new horse will be assigned a brand new USHJA registration number.
  • If a horse currently has a USEF number but not a USHJA number, upon payment of the registration fee to USHJA, that horse will be assigned a brand new USHJA registration number.
  • Members who choose to annually or life record their horses with the USEF will also need to obtain a USHJA registration, if not already done.
  • Exhibitors competing only in USEF Local competitions will be exempt from the horse registration fee.

If you were a USEF and USHJA member before December 2021, it's likely your membership number is the same for both organizations.  Please note that we put "HJ' in front of the number to distinguish between both organizations. Members joining after December 2021 have separate numbers.

It's the same procedure for horses.  IF your horse had a USEF and USHJA number before December 2021, it's likely the same number, with ours beginning with HJ.  After December 2021, each horse will get a different USHJA number than its USEF number.

*Please note there is a $15 reprint fee for the issuance of a duplicate membership card.

Active/Competing Membership

Active/Competing Members are those individuals who enter USEF-licensed competitions as riders, owners, trainers or coaches, and they receive full benefits of USHJA membership for the year.

  • Active/Competing Membership (1 Year) - $85 (expires 12 months from start date)
  • Active/Competing Membership (3 Year) - $240 (expires 36 months from start date)
  • Active Life Membership (Life) - $1,500 (Full USHJA Membership Benefits for Life)

Education/Non-Competing Membership

Education/Non-Competing Members are individuals who are not competing in USEF-licensed competitions but wish to participate in USHJA educational programs, and wish to receive all other benefits of USHJA membership for the year. Education/Non-Competing members are subject to USHJA Show Pass fees if competing in USEF-licensed competitions.

  • Education/Non-Competing Membership - $35 (expires 12 months from start date)

Affiliate Association Membership

Affiliate Association Members are local, state, regional and national organizations, educational institutions, riding academies, stables, clubs, associations, corporations, and other groups that conduct equestrian clinics, competitions, programs, or events. 

  • Affiliate Association Membership - $100 (Expires November 30 each year)

Collegiate Membership

Collegiate Members are those individuals participating in Intercollegiate Horse Show Association/USHJA competitions; annual membership from August 1 to July 31. Collegiate members are subject to USHJA Show Pass fees if competing in USEF-licensed competitions.

  • Collegiate Coach - $35
  • Collegiate Alumni - $15

Outreach Membership

Outreach Members are those individuals competing in Outreach Classes or are a member of an USHJA Affiliate Organization and receive some of the other benefits offered by USHJA for the membership year. Outreach members are subject to USHJA Show Pass fees if competing in USEF-licensed competitions.

  • Outreach Membership - FREE

Please note $5.00 fee does apply to any and all refunds.  Additionally, you can not request a refund if you have used your USHJA membership to compete.

To request a cancellation and refund of a USHJA membership, a written request must be submitted within 14 days from the effective date of the membership.  Any refund requests past 14 days do not qualify and will not be accepted.  Please include the membership number and name on the account in the request. 

Requests may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to:

Russ Longeway
Managing Director of Membership & Customer Service
United States Hunter Jumper Association
3870 Cigar Lane
Lexington, KY 40511
Phone: (859) 225-6700
Fax: (859) 258-9033
E-mail: membership@ushja.org

If a membership card has already been printed, the member is required to return the card to the USHJA office by mail.  Please note all cards, including key tags, must be returned in order for USHJA to issue a refund.  If you wish to request a new card for USEF only membership, a $15 reprint fee does apply and must be requested through the USEF at (859) 810-8733.

U.S. Eventing Association Exemption

Even if an individual is an active member of USEA, he or she is still required to be a member of USHJA or pay the Show Pass fee.

Requirements for Canadian Federation Members

Members of Equine Canada (Canadian Federation) do not have to be USHJA members, and the Show Pass fee does not apply. See GR206.1. Should Equine Canada members wish to obtain points for USHJA programs, including championships, they will need to be USHJA members (see individual program specifications for more information).

Equine Canada horse/pony measurement cards and passports are not acceptable for purposes of complying with USEF rules on measurement and horse ID numbers. They will need to have the pony measured in accordance with HU136 through HU148. If they bring a photocopy of their Canadian membership card to have the steward attach to the measurement form, they will receive their measurement card faster.

The Show Pass fee to USHJA is $30 per competition. If you are a non-member of either or both the USEF and the USHJA, the Show Pass fee is per competition per organization. You will pay all Show Pass fees directly to the competition.  Show Pass fees are non- refundable. No points are earned for that competition if a Show Pass fee is paid.

Competition Membership Checklist

Exhibitors will need the following to enter a horse show:

1. Complete entry blank, with correct USEF/USHJA number for owner, rider, trainer and horse
2. All required signatures on entry blank
3. Copy of USEF/USHJA Membership Card
4. Copy of Horse Recording/Registration Certificate
5. Copy of your horse's Coggins and health papers, if necessary
6. A signed open check for entries, if applicable

USHJA fees support the administration of the sport and the services provided to its members, including points tracking, awards, program development and execution, and rules development.

In the service of more than 44,000 different members across the United States, the USHJA offers a comprehensive stable of 14 competitive and educational programs that serve members at all levels of the sport, Juniors, Amateurs, and Professionals alike, in addition to countless educational resources and tools for members to access online. Our competitive programs and various special classes, are available to members at more than 1,200 competitions each year. The USHJA supports 17 different awards programs to recognize riders’ efforts across the hunter/jumper sport. This results in more than 16,500 awards distributed to members across the country each year. At the same time, the USHJA continues to explore and develop new programs to support the membership at all levels.

Whether members participate in any of the available awards, competitive or educational programs, USHJA’s efforts to ensure the rules of the sport are relevant and meet members’ needs while supporting rider safety and horse welfare benefit every hunter/jumper competitor.

USEF and USHJA are separate but related organizations. The USHJA represents only the jumper and hunter disciplines, as an affiliate of USEF, which represents numerous disciplines and breeds as the National Governing Body (NGB) for equestrian sport.

The USEF is the regulatory body of equestrian sport. Under this umbrella, in addition to the selection and fielding of international teams under its duties as the National Governing Body (NGB) for equestrian sport, the USEF also provides the following services to its Recognized Affiliates and members:

  • Licensing of competitions
  • Licensing of officials
  • Drugs & Medication program
  • Aggregation of the rule book
  • Hearing and regulation process – fair and level field of play
  • Promotion of equestrian sport to the mainstream audience

Led by volunteers who are active within the hunter and jumper disciplines, USHJA represents the interests of these disciplines, developing and supporting rules, programs and awards that promote the well-being of riders and horses, fairness within the sport, and the sport’s growth. Specifically, USHJA:

  • Provides educational opportunities to members
  • Develops rule proposals for the hunter and jumper disciplines
  • Develops and manages educational and competitive sport programs
  • Facilitates year-end and program awards
  • Promotes hunter/jumper disciplines

We encourage members to stay involved and be part of the issues that are important to the sport. Reach out to committee or Board members with questions and review minutes available online. Our volunteers, who guide all of the Association’s work, are made up of your peers – fellow hunter/jumper equestrians who are passionate and invested in the future of this sport. It’s important to understand that the Association operates entirely at the direction of Board and committee members. If you’re passionate about this sport and want to be part of shaping its future, fill out the committee interest form or contact your zone representatives about volunteering on specific programs in your area.