The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association announced that Hunter Breeding National Championships will return to the East and West Coasts. Coordinated by the USHJA this year, the 2019 Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF/USHJA Hunter Breeding Championships, presented by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare, will be held Aug. 24, at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia, and the West Championships will be held Aug. 28, at the Del Mar Horse Park, in Del Mar, California.

“These championships provide breeders, owners and handlers the opportunity to showcase their talented young hunter prospects on a national level and help support hunter breeding in the United States,” said Mary Babick, president of the USHJA. “We are excited to take on a greater role in coordinating these championships and are looking forward to another great year.”

The championships remain open to yearlings, 2-year olds, 3-year olds and 4-year olds that have a current USEF horse recording and are registered with the USHJA. Classes include an amateur/junior handler class, 3-year old or 4-year old hunter under saddle, 3-year old hunter hack classes and 4-year old conformation over fences classes.

Classes are judged on conformation, way of moving, quality, substance and suitability to become hunters. The same judges will officiate at both championships and an overall champion will be named following the West Coast Championship on Aug. 28.