2026 Platinum Performance/USHJA Hunter Championship Week Returns with Over $620,000 in Prize Money and New Team Competition

Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 10, 2026—The nation's leading Hunter horses and riders return this week to the Kentucky Horse Park for the annual Platinum Performance/USHJA Hunter Championship Week. Highlighted by the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships and Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, the event will bring more than 350 exhibitors to Rolex Stadium from August 11-15 to vie for over $620,000 in prize money across both championships. New for 2026, the International Hunter Derby Championship will debut a Team Competition during Friday's Classic Round, giving competitors the opportunity to contend for additional jackpot prize money.

The week begins Tuesday with the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships, where more than 250 entries will compete across the 3'/3'3" and 3'6"/3'9" sections. Together, the Championships offer over $360,000 in prize money, including nearly $250,000 in the 3'/3'3" Championship and more than $110,000 in the 3'6"/3'9" Championship. The Championships continue to provide meaningful earning opportunities for professional and developing riders through the program's Rider Ranking System. Competitors are designated Tier I, II, or III based on money-won standings from the previous competition year. Both Green Hunter Incentive Championships will feature a Tier II Championship Round, where additional riders will return for the opportunity to earn prize money designated specifically for their tiers.

The action shifts to the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship on Friday, August 14, when horses and riders take center stage in the Championship Classic Round. More than 100 entries are expected to compete for a coveted spot in Saturday's Handy Hunter Round and a share of over $268,000 in prize money. Those who did not qualify for the Handy Hunter Round will have a second opportunity to earn prize money on Saturday morning in the Derby Challenge Round, which offers a $10,000 purse.

Adding a new layer of excitement to this year's competition, the Classic Round will also feature the inaugural International Hunter Derby Championship Team Competition. Teams of three riders will compete concurrently with the Classic Round for additional jackpot prize money. Each team will consist of one Tier I rider, one Tier II rider, and one Junior, Amateur, or Tier II rider ranked 100th or below in the International Hunter Derby series money-won standings. Team scores will be determined by combining each rider's score from the Classic Round for an overall team total.

On Saturday afternoon, a minimum of the top 20 horses will return for the Handy Hunter Round to compete for the title of International Hunter Derby Champion. The program's Rider Ranking System will again come into play as the top 20 horses ridden by Tier II riders return for the Tier II Handy Round and the opportunity to earn additional prize money. Riders competing in the overall Handy Round who are designated as Tier II remain eligible to earn prize money from both prize pools.

For those unable to attend in person, wall-to-wall livestream coverage presented by Windsor Stables will be available on ClipMyHorse.TV. Follow additional coverage throughout the week on USHJA's Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

The USHJA thanks the sponsors who help make these championships possible, including Title Sponsor Platinum Performance and Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Parlanti International, and Stridefull. Thanks also go to Official Broadcast Provider ClipMyHorse.TV; Championship Official Sponsor Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Pharmacy; Livestream Presenting Sponsor Windsor Stables; and Supporting Sponsors GumBits, Essex Classics, RingSide Pro, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Human Touch, Horseflight, and Texas Super Series.

The USHJA also thanks the donors whose support helps make these championships a continued success and an unforgettable experience for exhibitors, including Diamond Donor Mark Dorfman; Challenge Round Supporter Douglas Wheeler; Gold Donors Louise Riggio and Rivers Edge's Ken Berkley and Scott Stewart; Silver Donors Ceil and Ken Wheeler; Exhibitors' Party Supporters John Ingram and Laura Karat; and Bonus Award Supporters Oakwell Farms, DS Holdings, LLC, Colleen McQuay, Peter Pletcher, Patrick Rodes, Ron Danta, and Danny Robertshaw.

For the complete schedule, orders of go, results, and more information, visit ushja.org/hunterchampionshipweek.

Photos: Winslow Photography, MaryJo Peters/USHJA