2024 Dates and Locations Announced for USHJA Equitation Finals

Lexington, Ky.—March 19, 2024—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the 2024 Equitation Finals. Held on the East and West Coasts, six Finals will be offered for Junior competitors and four for Adult Amateurs.

USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College, and USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs

Held in conjunction with the Adequan/USEF Junior Hunter National Championships, the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College, is a three-round class that combines the precision of Equitation and handiness of Hunters over a course set at 3'6". Finals will be held on both coasts and riders can compete in the Classic of their choice: 

• East: June 26 at Traverse City Horse Shows in Williamsburg, Michigan
• West: July 21 at Blenheim EquiSports in San Juan Capistrano, California

To qualify, riders must have won a USEF Hunter Seat Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, either phase of WIHS Equitation Classic, or an Overall WIHS Equitation Classic between June 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024. 

Back for a second year, the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs is a three-round class emulating that for the Juniors and set at 3’. Qualified Adult Amateur competitors can elect to compete in the Final of their choice:

• East: August 28-September 1 at HITS on the Hudson VII in Saugerties, New York
• West: July 23-25 at the Blenheim Racing Festival in San Juan Capistrano, California

To qualify, riders must have placed in the top three in a 2’9” or higher Adult Equitation class or in a 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal class, Taylor Harris Insurance Adult Medal class, or Ariat National Adult Medal class between June 1, 2023, and 45 days prior to the Championship date.

Visit ushja.org/gladstone for additional information and lists of qualified riders.

EMO Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal and USHJA 3'3'' Adult Jumping Seat Medal

The EMO Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal provides Juniors with the opportunity to develop their Equitation skills over a Jumper-style course. The Finals feature three phases—a Flat Phase, Gymnastics Phase, and Jumping Phase—similar to those of the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Program. Riders may elect to compete in either Final:

• East: September 25-29 at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Maryland
• West: September 18-22 at the International Jumping Festival in San Juan Capistrano, California

To qualify for the Finals, riders must earn 15 points or more in any USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal classes between August 2, 2023, and August 1, 2024. 

Now in its third year, the USHJA 3'3'' Adult Jumping Seat Medal offers Adult Amateur riders a chance to showcase their Equitation skills over Flat, Gymnastics, and Jumping Phases. As with the Juniors, qualified Amateurs may elect to compete in either Final: 

• East: August 28-September 1 at HITS on the Hudson VII in Saugerties, New York
• West: September 18-22 at the International Jumping Festival in San Juan Capistrano, California

To qualify, riders must have earned at least 10 points or completed three or more USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal classes between August 2, 2023, and August 1, 2024. 

New in 2024, all horses entered in the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Finals and USHJA 3'3'' Adult Jumping Seat Medal Finals must jog for soundness during the Official Jog prior to the start of the Flat Phase. Proper attire is required, including protective headgear for Juniors, and all horses must be presented with their competition number and wear a bridle.

Visit ushja.org/jumpseatmedal for more information on both Finals, a calendar of qualifying classes, and lists of qualified riders. 

USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal

The USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal serves as a stepping stone for Junior Equitation riders, providing an opportunity to qualify and compete in a national Equitation final at fence heights of 3’3”. Once again, Finals will be held on both coasts this fall:

• East: October 16-20 at the New England Equitation Championships in West Springfield, Massachusetts
• West: November 11-17 at The Las Vegas National Horse Show in Las Vegas, Nevada

For a chance to qualify, riders must earn a minimum of 10 points or more in any USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal classes from August 2, 2023, to September 1, 2024. Visit ushja.org/hunterseatmedal for additional information, a calendar of qualifying classes, and a list of qualified riders. 

Additional opportunities for Equitation competitors include the USHJA Outreach program, which gives members the chance to earn points toward year-end awards. Outreach competitions and festivals held across the country offer Equitation classes ranging from Walk/Trot divisions to 3'. Learn more about the program, championship-level competition opportunities with Outreach Festivals and to see a calendar of this year’s events at ushja.org/outreach.

Visit ushja.org/equitation for a list of all of USHJA's Equitation opportunities. For more information about all of USHJA's competitive programs, visit ushja.org/competition.

Photos: McCool Photography, Shawn McMillen Photography, Andrew Ryback Photography, Julie Ahn Media