Dates and Locations Announced for 2018 USHJA Zone HOTY, Stirrup Cup and Equitation Championships 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEXINGTON, Ky., – March 7, 2018–The United States Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the dates for 2018 Zone Horse of the Year, Stirrup Cup and Equitation 

championships, which provide members with an exciting opportunity to earn Championship Points toward zone year-end HOTY and Stirrup Cup awards. 

Nearly 30 Zone HOTY, Stirrup Cup and Zone Equitation championships will be held across the country, and the championships are open to all zone competitors who meet the minimum requirements, except the HOTY Championships in Zones 2 and 3, which have specific qualifying criteria.

Competitors may access relevant qualifying criteria (Zones 2 and 3), minimum requirements to participate, specifications, and other information about their championships by visiting www.ushja.org/zones, clicking on their zone and selecting championships. All Zone HOTY and Stirrup Cup require that the horse owner, rider and trainer are Active/Competing USHJA and USEF members before the first day of competition and require that horses must have USEF annual or life membership and USHJA horse registration.

The Zone HOTY and Stirrup Cup championships are opportunities for members competing for year-end awards in these programs to earn Championship Points, which contribute to their overall year-end standings. In Hunter and Jumper sections the owner or recorded leasee of the horse must reside within the Zone in order to participate in the Zone Championship and receive Championship Points. In Equitation sections the rider must reside within the Zone in order to participate in the Zone Championship and receive Championship Points. Please note equitation classes may be added to a Hunter or Jumper HOTY Championship at the discretion of the competition manager. 

The USHJA Zone Horse of Year Program is a point-based awards program to recognize the accomplishments of USHJA members. Zone HOTY points are earned at Premier (AA), National (A), Regional I (B) and Regional II (C) rated competitions. Points accumulated in a state or country contiguous to an owner's home zone may be counted toward Horse of the Year points at both the zone and national level. If a contiguous state or country offers a section that is not offered by the owner's home zone, points will not count at the zone level, but they will be counted towards USEF national HOTY awards. Review the 2018 Zone HOTY specifications for more information.

The USHJA Stirrup Cup Awards are an additional and unique awards program that you are automatically enrolled in by being a member of USHJA and competing in Regional I (B) and Regional II (C) rated competitions. Only points earned at Regional I (B) and Regional II (C) USEF-licensed competitions, and points earned at Jumper Level 1 or 2 rated competitions will count for this award program. Stirrup Cup points may only be accumulated in an owner's home zone; points accumulated in a contiguous state or country never count toward Stirrup Cup awards. A horse must compete in at least three Regional I or II competitions during the current competition year for their points to count. Review the 2018 Stirrup Cup specifications for more information.

Both the USHJA Zone HOTY and Stirrup Cup Awards programs are separate programs from the USEF Horse of the Year Program.

Media Contact:
Megan Lacy
mlacy@ushja.org
(859) 225-6723