USHJA National Championships Return to Vegas in 2021

Competition from 2' Hunters to 1.40m Jumpers Offered and Expanded Sections for USHJA Affiliate Championships

Lexington, Ky.—April 16, 2021—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the USHJA National Championships will return to The Las Vegas National, CSI4*-W, November 15-21, 2021. Competition will be offered from 2' Hunters to 1.40m Jumpers, and will feature expanded sections for the unique USHJA Affiliate Championships for Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation.

"We are thrilled to be able to host these Championships again in 2021," said USHJA National Championships Competition Manager Pat Boyle. "We are bringing them back bigger and better, with more sections for Affiliates, educational opportunities and exciting FEI competition at the accompanying Las Vegas National. With qualifying by Zone Horse of the Year and Outreach standings, the USHJA National Championships are more accessible to a broader set of members than any other national final or championship."

The USHJA National Championships will feature National Hunter Championships for Amateur Owner Hunters, Junior Hunters, Pony Hunters, Green Hunters, Adult Amateur Hunters and Children’s Hunters. They will also include the USHJA National Equitation Championships open to Juniors and Amateurs, and the USEF/USHJA National Jumper Championships with 11 sections of Jumper competition from 1.00m to 1.40m for Junior, Amateur and Open Jumper competitors.

New this year, the USHJA Affiliate Championships will include expanded offerings for Juniors and Amateurs in the Hunters and Equitation at fence heights of 2' and 2'6" and Jumpers from .70m to .90m.

The Championships will also feature two $25,000 USHJA National Hunter Derbies, one for Juniors and Amateurs and one for Professionals, a 3’3” USHJA Hunter Seat Medal class, a 3'3" EMO Insurance/USHJA Jumping Seat Medal class, as well as 1.00m USEF/USHJA Low Children’s Jumper Championship, a 1.00m USEF/USHJA Low Adult Amateur Jumper Championship, and 3'0"/3'3" and 3'6"/3'9" USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Stake classes.

“The USHJA National Championships provide members with an end-of-year championship that celebrates everything they have worked for all year,” said Mary Knowlton (formerly Babick), president of the USHJA. “We are thrilled to be back in Las Vegas and extend a special thank you to our incredible hosts Blenheim Equisports, our management team led by Pat Boyle, and to our sponsors and donors for making these championships a truly rewarding and incredible experience to remember.”

Members qualify largely based on Zone Horse of the Year points or Zone events between December 1, 2020, and September 27, 2021.

Affiliate and Outreach competitors have an opportunity to compete at the USHJA National Championships in the Affiliate Championship sections, which are open to Juniors and Amateurs. Outreach Competitors must have reached Gold Level status by earning the highest number of points in their Zone during the qualifying period. Affiliate Organizations establish their own criteria for selecting Championship competitors, and all current USHJA Affiliates are invited to send members. Affiliate competitors do not have to be USHJA members.

The Championships will take place during The Las Vegas National, CSI4*-W, held at the South Point Hotel, Casino, & Spa's unique Arena & Equestrian Center. The Center offers an exceptional experience where riders and horses stay under one roof and exhibitors can also enjoy the spa, tables and slots, 64 bowling lanes, and nine dining establishments.

USHJA encourages riders and trainers to save the date for these championships and start earning points toward qualifying. Entries will open later this year, and only those who pre-enter and pay the $50 application fee by the September 27, 2021 deadline are eligible to qualify.

USHJA extends their thanks to current supporting sponsors of the USHJA National Championships, including USHJA Official Sponsors Nutrena, CWD, Parlanti, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Pharmacy; and USHJA Championship Sponsors Charles Owen, SmartPak, Straight Arrow, Prize Possessions, Essex Classics, and Boy O Boy Bridle Works.

For information about sponsorship, contact Whitney Allen at wallen@ushja.org or (859) 225-6707. Visit ushja.org/NationalChampionships for more information about the Championships.