News and Updates for Competition Managers and Staff

November 2024

Changes for the 2025 Competition Year, Effective December 1, 2024

NEW! 2025 International Hunter Derby Enrollment Policy

For the entire 2025 competition year, there is no longer one non-enrolled entry into any USHJA International Hunter Derby classes. All horses must be enrolled or pay a non-enrolled horse fee to participate in any USHJA IHD class.

• Non-enrolled horse fee: $150 per horse entered in an IHD without current enrollment.
• There is no limit to the number of IHDs a horse may compete in without current enrollment.
• The non-enrolled horse fee applies to every IHD entered unless/until the horse has a current enrollment.
• Any non-enrolled horse fee paid does not credit toward an enrollment fee for the current competition year.

USHJA will no longer be providing a list of “ineligible horses” prior to each event. Please have your show office staff only check the current 2025 IHD Enrolled Horse List found on the website here. The non-enrolled horse fee will be an item on the post-competition fee report due to USHJA at the end of your competition.

Green Hunter Challenge and Jumper Classic Programs Discontinued

The USHJA Green Hunter Challenge and USHJA Jumper Classic series will be discontinued effective with the new competition year.

If you have already renewed your license for 2025 and included either of these classes, you can adjust your license through USEF. If your only change is to remove these classes from your 2025 license, USEF will waive the license change fee. The Presidential Modification referencing this is available here.

Pony Hunter Derby Classes have a Hunt and Go Option

The Hunt and Go option may be utilized in lieu of the traditional format. The format consists of two phases—one Classic Hunter and one Handy Hunter—jumped consecutively.

• The Classic Hunter and Handy Hunter Rounds will each consist of five to seven fences.
• Two judges are required to judge the class. Each judge will be designated either the Classic Hunter Phase or the Handy Hunter Phase and will provide a single score for their designated phase. The scores from each judge will be added together to determine the total score and placement.
• See the full specifications for 2025 Pony Hunter Derby classes here.

Please note this listing is not a comprehensive list of all rule changes

effective December 1, 2024. All rule changes can be viewed here.

The complete 2025 Licensed Officials Clinic calendar is posted, and registration is open. Clinics are offered in-person and virtually for judges and course designers needing maintenance and those seeking promotion and licensure acquisition. 

Host an Instructor Credential Live Session

Apply to host a 2025 Instructor Credential Live Session to showcase your commitment to Best Practices in Sport. The two-day Live Sessions are hosted year-round across the country. Email ushjainstructor@ushja.org with additional questions. 

Make Use of USHJA's Directories

Hosting a Clinic?

Make sure your mounted or unmounted clinic is posted to the USHJA Directory of Clinics! Clinics on the Directory are promoted on the USHJA website, Zone eNews, and social media. 

Hiring Staff or Interns?

Post to the USHJA Hunter/Jumper Community Job Board. Send the job description, position title, location, and hiring contact to mkramer@ushja.org to have your position(s) posted. 

Questions? Contact the Hunter Department at hunterdept@ushja.org or the Jumper Department at jumperdept@ushja.org.