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Category I - Application Procedures

The USHJA Trainers Certification Program Committee will review Applications for the Program three (3) times annually. Below are the deadlines for applications to be reviewed:

October/November Meeting - Deadline is October 15
January Meeting - Deadline December 15, 2010
April Meeting - Deadline March 15, 2011
June Meeting - Deadline May 16, 2011
October Meeting - Deadline September 15, 2011

Complete Applications and Documents must be received in the USHJA prior to the above deadlines in order to be considered for the respective meeting for which you are applying.

Program Fees

Application Fee:  $100 (includes the Manual)
Category I:  $225 program fee

Application Procedures

1. Applicant must have declared professional status with USEF and must be an USHJA active member.
2. Complete the USHJA Trainer Certification Program Application (PDF) or html application
3.  Submit the following to USHJA:
- Completed TCP application and application fee
- Proof of CPR/First Aid Certification. All trainers must acquire certification within one year       preceding application date. A certificate of completion must be submitted with application
- Proof of current general and/or professional liability insurance
- Resume documenting a minimum of 3 years of professional experiences within the hunter/jumper industry
- Letters of recommendation from 3 professionals within the hunter and/or jumper industry.     Required Recommendation Form for all letters.
- Dates of Trainers Symposium attendance
- Applicants must have attended a USHJA Trainers Symposium within one year preceding application date.

*Credit will be given to those who attended a Trainers Symposium in 2006, 2007, 2008.  

Application Details

  1. CPR/First Aid Certification. All applicants must obtain both the CPR and First Aid Certification.
  2. Professional Liability and/or General Insurance- All applicants must be listed individually on the insurance certificate. Examples: If you are a farm owner and the policy is listed in the farm name, you must be listed as an additional Insured. If you are employed by a farm or a school, you must be listed as an additional insured on the certificate.
  3. Resume- If you are accepted into the program and complete the requirements, your resume will be posted on our Certified Trainers Directory. Please be sure to submit a complete resume documenting the information you would like to have published.
  4. References- Please use the recommendation form for all letters of recommendation.

Criteria to Accept Applicants:

Including but not limited to completed application; verification of references; proof of CPR and current general and/or professional liability insurance, attendance at Trainer's Symposium; record of USEF suspension and/or criminal activity

Following completion of the TCP Committee review, the applicants will be notified of their application status. If approved, the applicant will be charged the program fee and will then receive directions for how to take the online exam. If disapproved, applicant will receive instructions on what is needed for approval.

Applicants must take the exam within 6 months of date of application approval letter.

The computerized tests for each category are designed for the following purposes and objectives:

  • To evaluate an applicant's knowledge of both theoretical and practical aspects of riding and training.
  • To establish a benchmark for an individual's ongoing acquisition of knowledge and experience.
  • To provide an objective standard for each Category.
  • To create a unified, tiered system for professional development.
  • To produce a quantifiable, reliable core knowledge base.

We value your privacy. The application process and test results are completely confidential at all times.

Maintain Certification Annually

On January 1st of each year, all TCP Certified Trainers must provide current documents for:
            - General and/or professional liability insurance
            - USHJA Active Membership

If USHJA does not receive updated copies of the above for the current year by April 1st, the trainer's certification will be suspended. If the above documents are not received by May 15th, the trainer will forfeit his/her certification. After May 15th, if the trainer wishes to regain certification, they will have to re-start the program.

Trainer Certification Program Statement

The USHJA Trainer Certification Program (TCP) is a voluntary education and certification program developed by USHJA for the benefit of its professional trainers, its members and the general public. The program is the sole and exclusive property of USHJA. USHJA reserves all rights to determine the program’s specifications, requirements and procedures and to review and amend those specifications, requirements and procedures as deemed necessary in its sole discretion. USHJA reserves all rights to require periodic updating of its certified trainers’ biographical and demographic information, qualifications, continuing education, insurance and other requirements and it further reserves all rights to suspend or revoke certification upon failure of the Certified Trainer to provide the above information. USHJA, as the nationally recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for the hunter and jumper disciplines and in accordance with USHJA By-Laws, agrees to reciprocity with USEF and any suspensions of USHJA certified trainers by USEF will be honored by USHJA. Therefore, an individual’s USHJA Trainer Certification will be suspended by USHJA for the same time period imposed by USEF.

USHJA reserves all rights to review any claims, statements, allegations or other information submitted to it in writing by any USHJA member or member of the general public regarding any act, conduct or behavior by a USHJA Certified Trainer which may be considered prejudicial to the best interests of the USHJA or the sport of equestrian and, if it deems necessary or appropriate in its sole discretion, to forward the same to USEF for further administrative determination and action pursuant to USEF General Rules.

Acceptance into the Trainers Certification Program is at the discretion of the USHJA.


For questions about the USHJA TCP Program contact Melanie Fransen, or call 859-225-6717.