Know Before You Show
Rules Affecting Hunter/Jumper Competition Effective December 1, 2025
We are helping members Know Before You Show with a simple guide to rule changes taking effect for the new competition year. Click here for a comprehensive list of rule changes that were approved for the 2026 competition year, and here for the complete 2026 USEF Rulebook.
The following are key rule changes, effective December 1, 2025, for the 2026 competition year that affect Hunter/Jumper competition.
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Drug Testing: USEF may now test horse hair in addition to blood and urine. Learn more at usef.org/faqs/hair-testing. |
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Saddle Attachments: No piece of equipment may be attached to a saddle if it has a rigid upward-pointing projection, hook, or similar object capable of catching a rider’s clothing or person when dismounting, including stirrups. USEF staff have issued this guidelines sheet to help members understand which styles are considered compliant. |
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Veterinarians: Any veterinarian providing services on competition grounds must be registered with USEF. |
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Blood Rules: Rules have been added regarding the presence of blood on a horse in competition. The presence of blood is reviewed on a case-by-case basis by a licensed judge or ground jury, and blood found to be caused by the rider/handler or equipment results in elimination. Learn more at usef.org/faqs/general-blood-rule-gr843. |
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Hunter Points: When entering individual Hunter classes, points count based on the entries for each individual class, rather than the number of entries in the section's first class. |
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Soundness: Trotting a circle at the end of a round to demonstrate soundness is now required for Equitation, Adult Amateur, Low Adult Amateur, Children’s Hunter, Low Children's Hunter, Low Children’s Hunter Pony, and USHJA Hunter Sections. |
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Spurs: The language on spurs has been aligned with the FEI rule on spurs. |
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Judge Meetings: Exhibitors, trainers, or riders may meet with the judge after that arena’s competition has concluded, accompanied by the Steward. |
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Poles/Cavaletti: The use of cavaletti, trot poles, or step poles in Equitation classes (aside from pole classes) is prohibited. |
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Equitation Tests: A two-point or half-seat position at the walk or trot has been added to the list of Equitation tests. |
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| Returning for Conformation: Horses and ponies in conformation sections must return in order to be considered for a ribbon. Requirements are detailed for Option A and Option B jog. | |
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Junior/Amateur Handlers: Stallions are prohibited from Junior/Amateur Handler classes. |
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Schooling Rings: Items prohibited in the Hunter and Jumper schooling rings at competitions have been adjusted. |
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Tack Rules: In Hunter schooling, when schooling over fences, if draw reins, chambons, de gogues, or other similar tack attach to the girth between the legs, they must be run through a yoke or neck strap. If attached on the side, they must be attached to the saddle or billets. |
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Young Jumpers: Young Jumper sections for 4- to 7-year-olds are now defined by fence height, from .90m to 1.30m, instead of age. |
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Welfare: Tack used in an unconventional manner or considered against the welfare of the horse may result in elimination. |
Additional changes were approved in 2025 but will take effect December 1, 2026, and will begin impacting the 2027 competition calendar. This includes adjustments to the Channel II competition format, including permitting results of Channel II competitions to also count for Channel I HOTY awards and qualification for Channel I major events, reducing the maximum number of classes permitted per section at multi-day Regional competitions, limiting the number of Regional competitions permitted each competition week per venue and/or organizer, and mileage rules. Learn more here and review the approved rule change here.
Please note this listing is not a comprehensive list of all rule changes effective December 1, 2025. All rule changes can be viewed here. For more information about rules and USHJA’s role, click here.
CLARIFICATION: This page formerly included changes to GR310. To clarify, this rule does not impact USHJA/USEF shows or members—it was designed to address specific breeds and disciplines outside of USHJA/USEF competition. We apologize for the confusion caused.
