2026 Dates and Locations Announced for USHJA Equitation Finals

Lexington, Ky.—Feb. 13, 2026—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the 2026 USHJA Equitation Finals. Held on the East and West Coasts, six Finals will be offered for Junior competitors and four for Adult Amateurs.

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USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University

Held in conjunction with the Adequan/USEF Junior Hunter National Championships, the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University, is a three-round class that combines the precision of Equitation and handiness of Hunters over a course set at 3'6". Finals will be held on both coasts, and riders can compete in the Classic of their choice: 

  • East: June 17 at Split Rock Jumping Tour in Lexington, Ky.

  • West: July 23 at HITS Del Mar in Del Mar, Calif.

To qualify, riders must have won a USEF Hunter Seat Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, either phase of WIHS Equitation Classic, or an Overall WIHS Equitation Classic between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. 

USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs

Back for a fourth year, the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs is a three-round class emulating that for the Juniors and set at 3'. Held in conjunction with the newly launched USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships, qualified Adult Amateur competitors can elect to compete in the Final of their choice:

  • East: June 24-28 at the USHJA Amateur Festival - East in Lexington, Ky.

  • West: Oct. 28-Nov. 1 at the National Sunshine Series I in Thermal, Calif.

To qualify, riders must have placed in the top three in a 2'9" or higher Adult Equitation class or in a 3'3" Adult Jumping Seat Medal class, Taylor Harris Insurance Adult Medal class, or Ariat National Adult Medal class between June 1, 2025, and 45 days prior to the Championship date.

Visit ushja.org/gladstone for additional information and lists of qualified riders.

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Marshall+Sterling/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal

The Marshall+Sterling/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal provides Juniors with the opportunity to develop their Equitation skills over a Jumper-style course. The Finals feature three phases—a Flat Phase, Gymnastics Phase, and Jumping Phase—similar to those of the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Program. Riders may elect to compete in either Final:

  • East: Sept. 23-27 at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Md.

  • West: Sept. 16-20 at The Oaks Finale II in San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

To qualify for the Finals, riders must earn 15 points or more in any USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal classes between August 2, 2025, and August 1, 2026. 

Marshall+Sterling/USHJA 3'3" Adult Jumping Seat Medal

Now in its fifth year, the Marshall+Sterling/USHJA 3'3'' Adult Jumping Seat Medal offers Adult Amateur riders a chance to showcase their Equitation skills over Flat, Gymnastics, and Jumping Phases. As with the Juniors, qualified Amateurs may elect to compete in either Final: 

  • East: Sept. 9-13 at Traverse City Fall International in Williamsburg, Mich.

  • West: Sept. 16-20 at The Oaks Finale II in San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

To qualify, riders must have earned at least 10 points or completed three or more USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal classes between August 2, 2025, and August 1, 2026. 

Visit ushja.org/jumpseatmedal for more information on both Finals, a calendar of qualifying classes, and lists of qualified riders. 

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IHSA/USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal

The IHSA/USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal serves as a stepping stone for Junior riders, providing an opportunity to qualify and compete in a national Equitation final at fence heights of 3’3”. Once again, Finals will be held on both coasts this fall:

  • East: Oct. 14-18 at the New England Equitation Championships in West Springfield, Mass.

  • West: Nov. 10-15 at USHJA National Championships in Las Vegas, Nev.

For a chance to qualify, riders must earn a minimum of 10 points or more in any IHSA/USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal classes from August 2, 2025, to September 1, 2026.

Visit ushja.org/hunterseatmedal for additional information, a calendar of qualifying classes, and a list of qualified riders.

Dates and locations listed are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please visit ushja.org. Visit ushja.org/equitation for a list of all of USHJA's Equitation opportunities. For more information about all of USHJA's competitive programs, visit ushja.org/competition. 

Photos: Winslow Photography, High Desert Sport Photo, and Jess Windhurst Photography