USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships to Debut in 2025

Lexington, Ky.—July 15, 2024—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships, set to debut in the 2025 competition year. 

This new competition will provide a national stage and year-end goal for Amateur Hunter riders competing in the 2’6” Low Adult Amateur, 3’ Adult Amateur, 3’3” Amateur Owner, and 3’6” Amateur Owner Hunter divisions.

"Amateurs represent over 40% of the membership, which is by far the largest component of USHJA members," said USHJA Amateur Task Force Chair Tracey Weinberg. "As an Amateur Hunter exhibitor myself, I am thrilled to have a championship solely dedicated to the Amateur Hunter competitors and am proud to be a part of the process of developing it over the past several years." 

The competition will offer four separate Championships for 2’6” Low Adult Amateur, 3’ Adult Amateur, 3’3” Amateur Owner, and 3’6” Amateur Owner Hunter competitors. Each division will be conducted in three phases: Under Saddle, First Hunter Round, and a Classic Round for the 2’6” and 3’ sections or a Handy Round for the 3’3” and 3’6” sections.

Riders can qualify for the championships through both USEF-licensed Channel I or Channel II competitions by earning champion or reserve champion at one competition in their respective division. Additionally, horses can qualify if they are ranked in the top 10 of their USHJA Zone Horse of the Year Standings in Channel I or Channel II. Qualifying for the 2025 USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships begins December 1, 2024.

The dates and locations for the inaugural USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships will be announced in the coming months.

To learn more about the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships, visit ushja.org/amateurhunter.