Today, May 5, the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association opened applications for the first of its kind, the children’s and adult amateur hunter regional championships, announcing locations for the 2016 and 2017 championships.

“We’re excited to bring this new program to our membership, enabling children’s and adult amateur hunter riders to compete at both the individual and team environments for great regional recognition,” said USHJA hunter vice president Mary Babick. “This program builds on the success of our similar jumper program to bring new experiences and awards to the hunter ring.”

The championships provide riders with a competitive team experience and an opportunity to earn USHJA Zone Horse of the Year bonus points in their respective children’s or adult amateur hunter sections. The championships are organized by region—North Region, made up of Zones 1, 2 and 5; South Region, made up of Zones 3 and 4; Central Region, made up of Zones 6 and 7; and West Region, made up of Zones 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

Qualifying and application deadlines differ for each regional championships depending upon the date of that region’s competition. Riders must apply to have their children’s and adult amateur hunter points count toward qualifying. During the qualifying period, riders cannot compete in a class that exceeds 3’3″, with the exception of the USHJA National Hunter Derby, and the children’s or adult amateur jumper sections.

Each zone is eligible to send between two and six teams, as outlined on that region’s website, and each team is composed of a minimum of three but not more than four horse-and-rider combinations.

Each regional championships consists of two days of competition. The first day is the team competition with three phases: an under saddle and two classic hunter style courses. The team with the highest overall score is team champion.

The second day is open only to horse-and-rider combinations ranked 40th and above from the team competition, as well as team alternates who did not compete in the team competition and individual riders whose zones were unable to field a complete team. Again the individual competition is made up of three phases, but this day includes an under saddle, a classic hunter derby style course and a handy hunter course. Each phase will be placed and awarded individually with the individual champion being the horse-and-rider combination with the highest overall score from all three phases.

In 2016, the dates and locations, as well as qualifying periods and application deadlines for the four regional championships are:

• South Championships: Atlanta Summer Classic II, Conyers, Ga,, Bob Bell, manager, June 22-26 (Qualifying period runs June 22, 2015-April 23, 2016, and applications close April 23, 2016.)

• Central Championships: Go Preview in Oklahoma City, Okla., Phil Devita, manager, July 20-24 (Qualifying period runs July 20, 2015-May 21, 2016, and applications close May 21, 2016.)

• West Championships: Oregon High Desert Classic #1, Bend, Ore., Dianne Johnson, manager, July 20-24 (Qualifying period runs July 20, 2015-May 21, 2016, and applications close May 21, 2016

• North Championships: Showplace Fall Championships, Wayne, Ill., Patrick Boyle, manager, Sept. 7-11 (Qualifying period runs September 7, 2015-July 9, 2016, and applications close July 9, 2016)

Managers plan to host the championships at these same shows in 2017 as well. For more information about the USHJA Children’s and Adult Amateur Hunter Regional Championships, visit www.ushja.org/chaahunter. For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Whitney Allen at wallen@ushja.org.