New USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Class to Debut in 2019 with Finals in 2020

Lexington, Ky.—December 7, 2018 —The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association has created the USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal class and finals to serve as a stepping stone for riders advancing in the Hunter Seat Equitation arena. With qualifying set to begin August 2, 2019, the inaugural finals will be held in 2020, and host applications for that event will open later this year.

"We are thrilled to offer this exciting new opportunity for 3'3" Hunter Seat equitation riders," said Robin Rost Brown, chair of the USHJA Equitation Task Force. "The success of the 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal highlights the need for high-profile equitation classes and finals at this fence height, and we look forward to seeing it help riders advance through the equitation ranks."

The USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal is open to Junior Active Members of the USEF and USHJA, who have not competed in any of the following National Equitation Finals with fences at 3'6" within the same competition year, including: ASPCA Maclay Finals, USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals (East or West), WIHS Equitation Classic Finals, Jump Canada Medal Finals or the North American Equitation Championship.

Qualifying for the inaugural finals will run from August 2, 2019, to August 1, 2020. Riders must accumulate a minimum of 10 points in any USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal classes during the qualifying period to be eligible to compete in the USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Finals. Riders who win the USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Finals are not eligible to compete again.

USEF-rated competitions wishing to hold a USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal class at their competition must list the class in their prize list and notify USEF. Competitions interested in hosting a USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Finals event may apply via an online host application later this year.

Learn more at ushja.org/HunterMedal.