2026 Dates and Locations Announced for USHJA Jumper Championships

Lexington, Ky.—Feb. 12, 2026—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the 2026 USHJA Jumper championships held across the country. Fourteen championships specifically for Jumper competitors will be offered this year at a range of height sections from 1.00m to 1.40m.

USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships

Now held regionally, the USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships offer team and individual competition similar to that of the popular Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team and Platinum Jumper Championships. Riders will compete in one of four Championships held in their Zone's corresponding region:

• Northeast (Zones 1 and 2): July 1-5 at Princeton Show Jumping Summer II in
  Princeton, N.J. 

  • Applications close and qualifying ends May 17

• South (Zones 3, 4, and 7): July 7-12 at Tryon Summer V in Mill Spring, N.C.

  • Applications close and qualifying ends May 23

• North Central (Zones 5 and 6): Sept. 23-27 at Split Rock Fall 1 in Lexington, Ky.
  • Applications close and qualifying ends Aug. 9
• West (Zones 8, 9, and 10): Oct. 7-11 at Temecula Valley National Fall II in Temecula, Calif.
  • Applications close and qualifying ends Aug. 23

New for 2026, jump-offs will be implemented to break ties for each championship's Junior or Amateur Individual and Team Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals.

For a chance to qualify, riders must complete an application, submit the non-refundable $75 application fee, and earn a minimum of 20 points in their respective section(s) at USEF-licensed competitions by their zone’s deadline. Athletes from Zones 11 and 12 may qualify and apply to attend the Championship location of their choosing. Visit ushja.org/lowzonejumper for more information.

Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships

Held regionally, the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships allow Junior and Amateur Jumper riders in 1.10/1.15m and 1.20/1.25m divisions to compete as a team and individually in their Zone's corresponding region:

• Northeast (Zones 1 and 2): July 1-5 at Princeton Show Jumping Summer II in
  Princeton, N.J. 

  • Applications close and qualifying ends May 17

• South (Zones 3, 4, and 7): July 14-19 at Tryon Summer VI in Mill Spring, N.C.

  • Applications close and qualifying ends May 30

• North Central (Zones 5 and 6): Sept. 23-27 at Split Rock Fall 1 in Lexington, Ky.
  • Applications close and qualifying ends Aug. 9
• West (Zones 8. 9. and 10): Oct. 7-11 at Temecula Valley National Fall II in Temecula, Calif.
  • Applications close and qualifying ends Aug. 23 

New in 2026, the Antevy Family/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Grant will be offered to support one rider competing in the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships. Made possible through the generosity of the Antevy family, this $5,000 grant will reimburse eligible athletes for expenses related to attending the Championships. Learn more and apply by May 15 at ushja.org/antevygrant.

Riders interested in competing must submit an application, a non-refundable $75 application fee, and earn a minimum of 20 points in their respective section at USEF-licensed competitions by their zone’s deadline for a chance to qualify. Athletes from Zones 11 and 12 may qualify and apply to attend the Championship location of their choosing. Learn more at ushja.org/zonejumper.

Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships

Also held regionally, the Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships provide team and individual competition for Junior, Amateur, and Professional Jumper riders competing at 1.30/1.35m and 1.40/1.45m. Riders will compete at the regional location that includes their Zone: 

• Northeast (Zones 1 and 2): July 1-5 at Princeton Show Jumping Summer II in
  Princeton, N.J. 

  • Applications close and qualifying ends May 17

• South (Zones 3, 4, and 7): July 7-12 at Tryon Summer VI in Mill Spring, N.C.

  • Applications close and qualifying ends May 30

• North Central (Zones 5 and 6): Sept. 23-27 at Split Rock Fall 1 in Lexington, Ky.
  • Applications close and qualifying ends Aug. 9
• West (Zones 8. 9. and 10): Oct. 28-Nov. 1 at National Sunshine I in Thermal, Calif.
  • Applications close and qualifying ends Sept. 13

Riders qualify for the Championships by earning a minimum of $250, submitting an application, and a non-refundable $75 application fee by their Zone's deadline. Athletes from Zones 11 and 12 may qualify and apply to attend the Championship location of their choosing. Find more information at ushja.org/platinumjumper.

USHJA Young Jumper Championships

The annual USHJA Young Jumper Championships showcase talented 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-year-old Jumpers at the national level. Four-year-olds will compete in a two-round Style and Jumping Championship, while 5- through 8-year-olds will compete over a three-round format. New for 2025, riders have the option to compete at an East or West location: 

• East: Sept. 1-5 at Traverse City Fall Horse Show in Williamsburg, Mich.

• West: Oct. 13-18 at Woodside International in Woodside, Calif.

To be eligible for the Championships, horses must be enrolled, and incentives are offered for those enrolling three or more horses. Visit ushja.org/youngjumper for more information.

Additional opportunities for Jumper competitors include the USHJA Outreach program, which allows members to earn points toward year-end awards. Outreach competitions and festivals held across the country offer Jumper classes from .60m to .95m. Learn more about the program and championship-level competition opportunities with Outreach Festival and see a calendar of this year’s events at ushja.org/outreach.

Enrollment and applications are currently open for all of USHJA's competitive programs that require them. Members are encouraged to enroll or apply now in their USHJA member account by signing in at my.ushja.org/login, selecting "My Programs" and clicking on the program they wish to join. 

The USHJA thanks title sponsor Markel; Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Parlanti, and Nutrena; and Supporting Sponsor Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation. 

Visit ushja.org/jumpers for a list of all of USHJA's Jumper opportunities. For more information about all of USHJA's competitive programs, visit ushja.org/competition.

Photos: Winslow Photography, Julia B Photography, Natalie Suto Photography, Megan Giese Media