Junior & Youth Resource Page

Today’s youth represent the future of the hunter jumper industry, and the USHJA is dedicated to providing programs and educational material exclusive to juniors. With an active Youth Council and the help of top industry professionals, the USHJA hopes to guide junior members throughout their horsemanship careers. Last year, the USHJA recorded 14,000 junior members, a number that accounts for 40 percent of USHJA memberships. Please contact USHJA Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Erin True, with questions or additions to this page.

USHJA Youth Council Committee listing

Membership Information

Who has to be an active member of USHJA? In order to compete in any hunter, jumper, equitation or hunter breeding classes at recognized competitions as an exhibitor, rider, trainer, or his/her agent(s), a person must be an active member of the United States Hunter Jumper Association, Inc., or pay a non-member fee of $30 to the USHJA. Exception: Local Competitions, Breed restricted Hunter Seat Equitation classes and exceptions listed in GR901.9. The USHJA membership is in addition to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) membership requirements...more membership information.

Emerging Athletes Program

The USHJA is proud to announce the creation of the Emerging Athletes Program. This program supports our continuing efforts to bring educational and developmental opportunities to the grassroots members of our sport. The USHJA Emerging Athletes Program consists of a system of identifying and nurturing talented young riders. The program’s mission is to provide these riders with the support and assistance necessary to facilitate the opportunity to reach their full potential by creating a national program as a step ladder to international competition. "This is a national grass roots program for emerging athletes that is only the start of something very big and important to the future of the next generation of our sport...more about the EAP.

Junior Career Development Program

The USHJA Junior Career Development Program, is a mentor/mentee program, which matches junior riders with a competition official for a day. Apprentices can choose to work with a judge, show manager, show secretary, steward, course designer, vet or farrier at a local competition. This program gives junior riders a better understanding of official’s duties and responsibilities and to help determine if they would like to pursue a career in one of these positions...more about the JCD program .

Youth Related Press

The Chronicle of the Horse Equestrian Teams Attract Legions of Hopefuls [April 24, 2009]
In Stride Magazine Article August 2008 Focus on Youth: Ringside Reading
2009 Emerging Athletes Program Dates and Application Proces [January 22, 2009]
Launch of Members Choice Awards [December 5, 2008]
USHJA Nominee Madeleine Genereux wins 2008 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award [December 3, 2008]

Additional USHJA News

Scholarships, Directories, Guides & Resources

Online Directories
Online Resources and Guides
Breeder's Directory College Scholarship Listing
Competition and Facility Directory Horse Welfare Guide
Horse Retirement Facilities Owner’s Resource Guide
Trainer’s Directory Show Secretaries Guide
  Trainer’s Resource Guide
  Get Connected DVD
  More Than Just Ribbons DVD

USHJA Awards and Other Award Information

USHJA Emerging Athletes Program
Junior Career Development Program
Affiliate Equitation Awards Program
Affiliate Sportsmanship Awards Program
Hunterdon Equitation Cup Classic
USHJA Nominee for the USEF Youth Sportsman's Charter Award
USHJA Zone Stirrup Cup Awards

Click here for other Hunter/Jumper Affiliate Medal Finals, Awards and Championships...

USHJA Junior Member Statistics

USHJA Junior Members in 2008

8,400 Junior members took part in local and rated competitions.
7,600 Juniors competed at rated competitions:
            3,800 at AA rated competitions
            4,500 at A rated competitions
            2,300 at B rated competitions
            2,400 at C rated competitions
785 Juniors competed at local competitions
6 percent of Junior members are horse owners, making a total of 1,267 horses owned by Juniors.
99 percent of Junior members are female.