How to Qualify

Qualifying for the Marshall & Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships differs based on the division in which you want to qualify. Entrants must declare intent to compete in the Championships by applying with a non-refundable $100 application fee by September 12, 2023.

Qualifying lists will be made available after applications close September 12, 2023. Note that qualifying lists are based on points earned from competitions with a start date from December 1, 2022, to September 12, 2023.

Because the USHJA uses USEF point totals for the qualifying period, we urge you to send your entries early. Please ensure that your points are correct with USEF. There is no need to send lists unless there is a pending discrepancy with USEF. All point discrepancies between your total and USEF total will be resolved through USEF before acceptances are issued. Do not send USEF printouts. 

For qualifying for all Hunter and Jumper sections, once USHJA Zone points list are exhausted, National standings will be used on a first come first serve basis.

Qualifying for the USHJA National Hunter Championships

Thirty (30) horses will be accepted per section based on points accumulated during the qualifying period. The top two entered horses per Zone are accepted. If any top two entries decline, then entries will be accepted by working down the Zone’s qualifying list. Any extra entries will be accepted based on total highest National points accumulated during the qualifying period.

Maximum of 3 horses per rider allowed per section.

National Hunter Derby
Two National Hunter Derby sections will be offered: Open and Junior/Amateur

Top five entered horses from the program standings by Zone are accepted. If any top five entries decline, then entries will be accepted by working down the standings list. Any extra entries will be accepted based on total highest National program standings money won accumulated during the qualifying period.

Maximum of 3 horses per rider allowed.

USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Stake 3’/3’3” & 3’6”/3’9”
Maximum of 40 enrolled horses per section will be accepted of qualified horses entered in the green divisions. Horses must be on the accepted list for the underlying green section. All horses must be enrolled in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive program.

Maximum 3 horses per rider allowed.

Qualifying for the USEF/USHJA National Jumper Championships

Eligibility Requirements: Please find complete eligibility requirements on page 8 of the Championship Specifications.

1.00m (Low Children's and Low Adults) Jumper Section
Thirty (30) horses will be accepted per section from the Low Children’s and Low Adult Zone HOTY Standings based on points accumulated during the qualifying period. The top three entered horses per Zone are accepted. If there are fewer than three entries from the Zone HOTY Standings, horses will be accepted based on National points accumulated during the qualifying period. Individual Medalists from the USHJA 1.00/1.05m Child/Adult Zone Jumper Championships will automatically be qualified for their respective section.

1.10m/1.15m Children’s and Adult, 1.20m/1.25m Junior/Amateur, 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper Sections
Thirty (30) horses will be accepted per section. The top three entered horses per Zone are accepted. If there are fewer than three entries from the Zone HOTY Standings, horses will be accepted based on National points accumulated during the qualifying period. Individual Medalist  from the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships (1.10/1.15m and 1.20/1.25m) and the Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships (1.30/1.35m) will automatically be qualified for the section in which they are a medalist.  Please see page 9 of the Championships Specifications for full details.

Open 1.20m and 1.30m Jumper Sections
Thirty (30) horses will be accepted per section based on Zone HOTY Standings List. The top three horses based on points accrued during the qualifying period will be accepted. If there are fewer than three entries from the Zone HOTY Standings List, horses will be accepted from the National list based on total money won during the qualifying period. Please see page 10 of the Championship Specifications for details on 5-, 6- and 7-Year-Old Young Jumper qualifying.

Qualifying for the USHJA National Equitation Championships

Thirty (30) riders will be accepted per section. The top three entered riders by Zone will be accepted based on standings accumulated during the qualifying period. If there are not enough entries through Zone qualifying, entered riders will be accepted based on total highest Standings from other Zones based on entry postmark date.

EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Class
Up to 50 riders will be accepted. Riders must have qualified and entered in one of the age group equitation divisions at the championships to be eligible for the medals.

USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal
Up to 50 riders will be accepted. Riders must have qualified and entered in one of the age group equitation divisions at the championships to be eligible for the medals.

USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal Class
Up to 50 riders will be accepted. Riders must have qualified and entered in one of the age group equitation divisions at the championships to be eligible for the medals.

Qualifying for the USHJA Affiliate Championships

Affiliate and Outreach Competitors have an opportunity to compete at the USHJA National Championships in the Affiliate Championship sections. Open only to Juniors and Amateurs.

Qualifying as an Outreach Competitor
Outreach members who have been awarded the Outreach Golden Backstage Pass, based on points calculated, December 1 -September 1 of the current competition year are provided the opportunity to compete in the USHJA Affiliate Championships. Golden Backstage Pass winners will also have the opportunity to participate in National Championship course walks and attend additional educational sessions at the National Championships.

Riders may only compete in Affiliate Championship sections of comparable height for which they achieved their Gold Level status. An entered horse may compete in a “Rated” section of comparable heights with a rider not competing in the USHJA Affiliate Championships. Affiliate section entry fees will be waived for these members. Outreach Gold Level rider entries will be in addition to the 30 selected Affiliate entries. The deadline for Outreach Competitor entries is September 12, 2023. Please see page 4 of the Affiliate Championship Specification for full detail on qualifying through the USHJA Outreach program.

Qualifying as an Affiliate Competitor
Affiliate Competitors are selected through each individual Affiliate organization based on which entrants they deem most qualified to compete and represent their organization. Qualifying procedures vary by Affiliate. Thirty (30) entries will be accepted per section. Horses and riders do not have to be registered or members of USHJA to participate in these sections. Please see page 4 of the Affiliate Championship Specifications for full detail on qualifying through the USHJA Affiliate Organizations.

Affiliate Hunter Sections
Horse and rider combinations may not compete in both the 2’ and 2’6” sections. Affiliate Riders may not cross enter into “Rated” Sections at the Championships.  An entered horse may compete in a “Rated” section with a rider not competing in the USHJA Affiliate Championships.

Fence Heights: 2' and 2'6" for Children and Adult Amateurs

Affiliate Equitation Sections
Affiliate riders may not cross enter into “Rated” sections at the Championships.  An entered horse may compete in a “Rated” section with a rider not competing in the USHJA Affiliate Championships

Fence heights: 2’ and 2'6" for 17 & Under and 18 & Over

Affiliate Jumper SectionsHorse and rider combinations may be nominated for a maximum of 2 consecutive Jumper heights. Affiliate Riders may not cross enter into “Rated” Sections at the Championships.  An entered horse may compete in a “Rated” section with a rider not competing in the USHJA Affiliate Championships.

Height sections: .70m, .80m, .90m and 1.00m.