Amateur hunter riders competing in everything from the 2-foot, 6-inch low adults up to 3-6 amateur owners will be able to vie for year- end honors in 2025 at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Assocation’s new championship.
Riders can start earning points Dec. 1 for the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships, set to debut in the 2025 competition year. Other divisions eligible are the 3-foot adult amateur and the 3-3- Amateur-owner.
“Amateurs represent over 40 percent 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. 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 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.