Dates and Locations Announced for 2026 USHJA Hunter Championships

Lexington, Ky.—Feb. 12, 2026—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the USHJA Hunter championships. In 2026, more than 30 championships will offer regional or national competition for Hunter riders of all levels in nearly all USHJA Zones.

USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships

Now in its second year, the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships highlight 2’6” Low Adult Amateur, 3’ Adult Amateur, 3’3” Amateur Owner, and 3’6” Amateur Owner Hunter riders. This year, the championships will be held bi-coastally, offering qualified riders the choice of competing at one of two locations:

  • East: June 24-28 at the USHJA Amateur Festival - East hosted by Split Rock in Lexington, Ky. 
    • Qualifying ends May 8
  • West: Oct. 28-Nov. 1 at National Sunshine Series I in Thermal, Calif.
    • Qualifying ends Sept. 16 

Riders can qualify for the championships through both USEF-licensed Channel I or Channel II competitions by earning champion or reserve champion at one competition in their respective division.

Learn more about the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships at ushja.org/amateurhunter.

Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships and Regional Championships

The multi-faceted USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program is open to horses competing as a Green Hunter at 3', 3'3", 3'6", or 3'9" fence heights. In addition to stake classes throughout the year, the program includes six Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championships. Enrolled horses may compete in multiple Regional Championships, regardless of region. This year's Regional Championships will be held:

  • North: July 8-12 at the Saratoga WIB Spectacular in Stillwater, N.Y.
  • North Central: June 10-14 at Traverse City Spring Horse Show 2 in Traverse City, Mich.
  • Northwest: Aug. 19-23 at Oregon Summer in Wilsonville, Ore.
  • South: June 24-28 at the NCHJA Annual Show in Tryon, N.C. 
  • South Central: Oct. 28-Nov. 1 at Harvest in Katy, Texas
  • Southwest: May 27-31 at Temecula Valley National II in Temecula, Calif.

The program also includes the annual Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship, which is open to all horses enrolled in the Green Hunter Incentive program. This year's Championship will return to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, from August 11-14.

Horses must be enrolled to compete in a stakes class or a championship. Learn more and find a full calendar of stakes classes at ushja.org/GHI.

Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship and Regional Championships

The USHJA International Hunter Derby program consists of a series held throughout the year, five Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships, and the prestigious annual championship. Enrolled horses may compete in multiple Regional Championships:

  • North: June 17-20 at Saratoga Classic II in Stillwater, N.Y.
  • North Central: June 10-14 at Traverse City Spring Horse Show 2 in Traverse City, Mich.
  • South: Nov. 25-28 at Holiday & Horses in Wellington, Fla. 
  • South Central: Sept. 16-20 at Southwest Showdown in Katy, Texas
  • Southwest: Nov. 4-8 at National Sunshine Series 2 in Thermal, Calif.

Any horse enrolled in the International Hunter Derby program is eligible to compete in the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship held August 14-15 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, alongside the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship.

Learn more and see the calendar of series competitions at ushja.org/IHD.

Standlee/USHJA National Hunter Derby Regional Championships

A stepping stone to the International Derby level, the USHJA National Hunter Derby program provides both horses and riders a place to compete in derbies at the 3' height. The program provides classes held around the country, plus six regional championships held throughout the year with Open, Amateur, and Junior sections: 

  • North: Aug. 19-23 at Princeton Summer Encore in Princeton, N.J.
  • North Central: June 9-14 at Split Rock Hunter Jumper Classic II CSI3* in Lexington, Ky. 
  • Northwest: Aug. 19-23 at Oregon Summer in Wilsonville, Ore.
  • South: June 17-21 at WEC Ocala Summer 2 in Ocala, Fla. 
  • South Central: Sept.16-20 at Southwest Showdown in Katy, Texas
  • Southwest: July 8-12 at the Del Mar Sunshine Classic in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. 

Learn more and see a calendar of derbies available at ushja.org/NHD. 

USHJA Pony Hunter Derby

The USHJA Pony Hunter Derby offers Juniors the opportunity to compete ponies in a series modeled after the International and National Hunter Derby programs at fence heights of 2'3'', 2'6'', and 2'9''/3'. Ponies placing in the top 12 in at least one USHJA Pony Hunter Derby class during the qualifying period ends on April 10 can compete in either bi-coastal championship offered this year: 

  • East: June 9 at Loudoun Benefit in Upperville, Va.
  • West: June 10-14 at The Oaks Summer Tour I in San Juan Capistrano, Calif.   

At the East and West Coast Championship, riders may compete on a total of three ponies, no more than one of any one size. Learn more and find a calendar of qualifying classes at ushja.org/PonyHunterDerby.

Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF/USHJA Hunter Breeding National Championships, presented by Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Oare

Offered to showcase talented up-and-coming yearlings through 4-year-old Hunters, the Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF/USHJA Hunter Breeding National Championships, presented by Mr. & Mrs Ernest Oare, were created to increase awareness of the Hunter Breeding sport in-hand and over fences. This year, the program returns to two Championship locations:

  • East: Aug. 21-23 at the Young Horse Festival in Lexington, Va.
  • Central: Sept. 16-20 at Southwest Showdown in Katy, Texas

Visit ushja.org/SallieB for more information.

USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships

The USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships showcase talented young Hunter pony prospects aged 7 and under presented in-hand and under saddle classes. The championships will take place on August 21-23 at the Young Horse Festival in Lexington, Virginia.

Learn more about classes offered and requirements at ushja.org/YHPC. 

USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider

The World Championship Hunter Rider Program celebrates the Hunter rider through year-end awards, Spectacular events, and an annual Finals. New this year, a fourth Hunter Spectacular class has been added to the calendar:

  • East Coast Hunter Spectacular: Jan. 30 at WEC Winter Spectacular 5 in Ocala, Fla.
  • Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular: Feb. 14 at WEF 6 in Wellington, Fla. 
  • West Coast Hunter Spectacular: March 10-15 at Desert Circuit 10 in Thermal, Calif.
  • Central Hunter Spectacular: July 8-12 at Great Lakes Equestrian Festival II
     in Traverse City, Mich.

The pinnacle event of the year for Hunter riders, the WCHR Finals, will be held during the Capital Challenge Horse Show, September 23-October 4, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Riders who qualify in select categories will have the opportunity to compete in corresponding Challenge Classes at the WCHR Finals, with only a limited number of competitors earning an invitation to participate.

In order to be eligible for National and Regional awards, riders and owners must be enrolled and may declare only one region and category per year to compete in. Learn more and find a calendar of qualifying and special events at ushja.org/WCHR. 

Additional opportunities for Hunter competitors include the new USHJA 2’6" Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby, which offers Junior and Amateur competitors a unique opportunity to gain experience and showcase their skills in a Derby-style format. Learn more and find the full calendar of events at ushja.org/JrAmDerby.
The USHJA Outreach program includes classes and festivals held across the country with Hunter classes from Walk/Trot to 3', giving members the chance to earn points toward year-end awards. Learn more about the program 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. 

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

Photos: High Desert Sport Photo, Dashing Paws Photography, Megan Giese Media,Andrew Ryback Photography, Julia B Photo, KMK Photos LLC, Shawn McMillen Photography, Terisé Cole/USHJA