USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program

The Green Hunter Incentive Program, which is open to horses eligible to compete in Green Hunters 3', 3'3", 3'6" and 3'9", is designed to encourage the development of green horses. The program is multi-faceted and includes the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship, held during the same week and at the same venue as the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, regional championships held in six locations, stake classes throughout the year and across the country, money-won tracking lists, and rider recognition based on overall earnings.

Horses must be enrolled in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program to participate in the Green Hunter Stake classes, regional championships, and to be eligible for the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship. Additionally, horses must be registered with the USHJA and recorded with the USEF to participate in the program.

This program is led by the USHJA International Hunter Derby & Incentive Task Force, and USHJA extends special thanks to this dedicated group of volunteers for their leadership and vision on this program.

Enrollment and Eligibility to Compete

The Green Hunter Incentive Program is open to horses of any age that are eligible to compete as a green hunter at 3'0", 3'3", 3'6" or 3'9" fence heights under United States Equestrian Federation rules. Supporters of the program can purchase enrollment slots at the current rate and designate the specific horse(s) to them at a later date that year. To purchase slots, please contact the office at 859-225-6700. More information and any restrictions are outlined in the specifications. 

Horses must be enrolled in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program and owners pay an annual enrollment fee to participate in the Green Hunter Stake classes and to be eligible for the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship or a regional championship. Additionally, horses must be registered with USHJA and recorded with USEF to participate. Horses must be enrolled in the Green Hunter Incentive Program prior to competing in a Green Hunter Incentive Stake class. Owners/exhibitors are responsible for enrolling their horse(s) in a timely manner in order to be eligible to participate.

Horses that have participated in the program at the 3'0 or 3'3" level in previous years are eligible for a one-time discount of $100 off the enrollment fee when they are enrolled at the 3'6"/3'9" level.

Green Hunter Incentive Rider Ranking System

The USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program offers a Rider Ranking System for owners to earn additional prize money based on how much money their horse’s rider has won in the program in prior years, favoring those riders with less money-won in the program. Use of the Rider Ranking System is optional in Stake Classes and Regional Championships but is a key offering at the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships each year.

Within the Green Hunter Incentive Rider Ranking System, riders are categorized each year into two tiers based upon their prior earnings within the program. Tier I riders are those who are ranked 1-30 in money won in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program over the past three years, and all other riders are considered Tier II. Owners of horses ridden by Tier II riders may be eligible to earn additional prize money at the Championships in Kentucky, and USHJA encourages competition managers to offer additional prize money to owners of horses ridden by Tier II riders in stake classes and regional championships. Horses ridden by Tier I riders are not eligible to earn Tier II prize money.

Green Hunter Incentive TIER I RIDERS

USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Stake Classes

  • Green Hunter Incentive Stake classes may be held at any USEF Premier, National, Regional I or Regional II hunter competition or any competition that has been approved for a Special Competition status.
  • Each class must offer a minimum of $1,000 in prize money when held at a Premier or National competition or a competition that has been approved for a Special Competition status, and a minimum of $500 in prize money when held at a Regional I or Regional II competition.
  • Horses may be ridden by a professional, junior or amateur.
  • There is no limit to the number of horses a rider may compete in the class.
  • Please verify with the competition what heights are available at their show. Please note all four fence heights may be combined according to section III.C. of the specifications.

View Calendar of Events to find a competition offering Green Hunter Incentive Stake Classes near you.

Specifications for Green Hunter Incentive Stake Classes

CURRENT
GREEN HUNTER INCENTIVE STAKES
(Effective 12/1/2022 through 11/30/2023)