USHJA 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby starting December 1, 2026!

Modeled after the USHJA National and International Hunter Derbies, the USHJA 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby is designed to support the growth of riders competing at the 2’6” fence height. Open to Junior and Amateur competitors, this class offers a unique opportunity to gain experience and showcase their skills in a Derby-style format.

What to Expect- see full specifications attached

The class is open to any horse or pony registered with USHJA and follows the traditional two-round Derby format: a Classic Hunter Round and Handy Hunter Round.

The Classic Hunter Round is judged on performance, hunter pace, jumping style, quality and substance, and movement. The top 12 horse-and-rider combinations from the first round return for the Handy Hunter Round, which is judged on brilliance of pace and handiness. High-option fences are included in both rounds, where riders can earn one point for each high-option fence jumped, up to a maximum of four. The rider with the highest combined score from both rounds is declared the winner.

Competition Management- see the full requirements in the specifications

A 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby may be offered at USEF Licensed Channel I (Premier or National), or Channel II (Regional) rated competitions, or competitions that have been approved for a Special Competition status.

Competition Management will collect and remit to USHJA the $25 per horse entrant fee at Channel I (Premier and National) rated competitions and competitions that have been approved for a Special Competition status, and the $15 per horse entrant fee at Channel II (Regional) competitions.

USHJA is excited to bring this new derby to your venue! You can now add the USHJA 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby to your USEF competition license using the section code 3090! Please contact Sara Murray-Smith, smurray@ushja.org, with any questions on this new program!

Best,

Sara Murray-Smith| Sports Program Coordinator

United States Hunter Jumper Association

Office: (859) 225-6735

Table of Contents

I. Membership and Participation Requirements………..2

II. HOTY Points and Awards…………………………………..2

III. Judging System…………………………………………………..3

IV. Tie Breaking Procedures …………………………………..4

V. Schooling………………………………………………………………5

VI. Order of Go …………………………………………………………5

VII. Awards Presentation …………………………………………5

VIII.Course Requirements…………………………………………5

IX. Competition Requirements………………………………..6

X. Prize Money and Entry Fee ………………………………….7

XI. USHJA Contact Information ……………………………….8

© 2026 United States Hunter Jumper Association, Inc.

2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby Exhibitor Specifications

2

2026 USHJA 2’6” JUNIOR/AMATEUR HUNTER DERBY SPECIFICATIONS

*Effective for competitions starting December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026

I. Membership and Participation Requirements

A. Riders, owners, and trainers must be current Active members of USEF and USHJA to

participate in this class. (see GR202).

B. Horses and ponies must be registered with USHJA to participate in this class.

C. Exception: Foreign residents and horses and ponies in good standing with their National

Federation are eligible to compete in this class but will not receive points unless they

follow I.A. and I.B.

D. USHJA 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby National and Zone HOTY bonus points will only

be awarded if the owner is a current Active member of USEF and USHJA and the horse is

recorded with USEF and registered with USHJA.

E. Competition management is required to run the class if there are twelve (12) or more

entries, but they may choose to run the class with twelve (12) or less entries.

F. The number of horses a rider can compete in a 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby may be

limited if specified in the prize list.

G. The prize list may specify that in order to be eligible to compete in a 2’6” Junior/Amateur

Hunter Derby, a horse must compete in one (1) class at the same competition.

H. The same horse/rider combination may not compete in the USHJA 2’6” Junior/Amateur

Hunter Derby and the USHJA National Hunter Derby or the USHJA International Hunter

Derby at the same competition.

I. Soundness -Horses entered in this class are required to trot a circle on a loose rein at the end

of the over fences phase listed below. Horses may be asked to return to the ring and trot

another circle at the judge’s discretion. Judges have the authority to disqualify a horse if

deemed unsound. The in-hand jog is not required. Any unsoundness during the competition

will be reflected in the scores from the judges (GR1033.6).

1. Traditional Format – Horses must trot a circle for soundness at the conclusion of the

Classic Round. If the class is held over two (2) days, horses are required to trot a circle on

a loose rein at the end of both Classic and Handy Rounds.

2. Hunt and Go Format – horses must trot a circle for soundness at the conclusion of the

Handy Round phase.

J. In accordance with HU 174.14 the same horse-and-rider combination must compete in both

rounds of the 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby.

K. Attire: For current specifications, refer to HU107 in the USEF Rule Book. Due to inclement

weather, competition management may excuse hunt coats or allow waterproof outerwear so

long as the exhibitor’s back number is worn correctly and visible.

L. Riders competing on ponies must be a junior to be eligible to compete in the USHJA 2’6”

Junior Amateur Hunter Derby.

M. Rider may not compete in any hunter and equitation classes with fences over 2’9” or jumper

classes over .90m at the same competition.

II. HOTY Points and Awards

A. Points accrued may be awarded to the Low Children’s Hunter Horse and the Low Adult

Amateur sections.

© 2026 United States Hunter Jumper Association, Inc.

2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby Exhibitor Specifications

3

B. The money won and points won in the USHJA 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby will only

be awarded towards a Hunter section for National and Zone HOTY points if a horse

competes in the section a minimum of one (1) time during the competition year.

C. At Channel I (Premier or National) rated competitions, or competitions approved for Special

Competition status, National and Zone HOTY points will be awarded as follows:

1st – 75

2nd – 60

3rd – 54

4th – 45

5th – 38

6th – 30

7th – 23

8th – 15

9th – 10

10th – 7

11th – 5

12th – 3

D. At Channel II (Regional) rated competitions, National and Zone HOTY points will be

awarded as follows:

1st – 50

2nd – 40

3rd – 35

4th – 30

5th – 25

6th – 20

7th – 15

8th – 10

9th – 7

10th – 5

11th – 3

12th – 2

III. Judging System

A. Each class must have at least one at least one USEF “R” or USEF “r” judge for any

USHJA 2’6” Junior/ Amateur Hunter Derby that offers less than $5,000 in prize

money. If a competition offers $5,000 or more in prize money, then two (2) judges

are required. If using two (2) judges they will sit together in a panel. Each judge on

the panel must be either a USEF “R” or USEF “r” judge. Each panel will provide

one (1) score for each round. See “E” for calculating the Overall Score.

B. No judge or panel may award the same base score to any two (2) competitors in any

one round unless a competitor’s score is below the cut-off score. A numerical score

must be given and may be a duplicate score if it is under the cut-off.

C. The first round shall be judged on performance, hunter pace, jumping style, quality

and substance, and movement. After the judge(s) base score is given, one (1) point

will be added for each high option fence jumped. The Option Bonus Score of one

additional point must be awarded even if there is a refusal, rail down or loss of good

jumping style at that higher height option fence, providing that the horse-and-rider

combination does jump the higher height option fence. (Maximum of four points.)

D. The second round shall be judged on performance, hunter pace, jumping style, quality

and substance, movement, handiness and brilliance of pace. Handiness is defined as

ground saving movement without adversely affecting performance or style. Brilliance

of pace is defined as a faster pace than ordinary, without sacrificing performance or

style. Handiness is taken into account in the judges’ base score. After the

judge(s)’ base score is given, one (1) point will be added for each high option fence

jumped. The Option Bonus Score of one additional point must be awarded even if

there is a refusal, rail down or loss of good jumping style at that higher height option

fence, providing that the horse-and-rider combination does jump the higher height

option fence. (Maximum of four points.)

© 2026 United States Hunter Jumper Association, Inc.

2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby Exhibitor Specifications

4

E. Overall Score – The final score from each round will be added to obtain the

overall total for each horse.

F. Hunt and Go

Alternatively, the Hunt and Go option may be utilized in lieu of the traditional format.

The Hunt and Go format will consist of two (2) phases, one (1) Classic Hunter and one

(1) Handy Hunter. The phases will be jumped consecutively. All participants will

complete both the Classic and the Handy portions even if penalties (rails, refusals, etc.)

are incurred. Major penalties (falls, 3 refusals, off course, etc.) will be combined from

the Classic and Handy rounds and will result in elimination. (i.e. a horse who has two

refusals in the Classic Round will be eliminated after one refusal in the proceeding

Handy Round.)

1. Standard Hunt and Go Format

a. The Classic Hunter Round, consisting of five to seven (5-7) fences with

two (2) high options, shall be judged on quality, movement, jumping

style, manners and way of going.

b. After the completion of the classic round horses will pick up their pace and

pass through a set of markers to begin their handy portion of the class. The

Handy Hunter Round, consisting of five to seven (5-7) with two (2) high

options, shall be judged on quality, movement, jumping style, manners and

way of going. Pace, brilliance, and a shorter track are to be rewarded. A

horse/rider may not jump decorations or other obstacles in order to create a

shorter track.

c. If using one (1) judge, that judge will provide a single score for each

phase, in addition to the Bonus points of one point per high option jump

that will be added to the judge’s score. The scores from each phase will be

added together to determine the total score and placement.

d.If using two (2) judges, each judge will be designated either the Classic

Hunter Phase or the Handy Hunter Phase. Each will provide a single score

for their designated phase, in addition to the Bonus points of one point per

high option jump that will be added to each judging’s score. The scores

from each judge will be added together to determine the total score and

placement.

e. A judging assistant may be present during all phases of the competition. The

duties of the judging assistant include notifying the Judges if a rail comes

down and when a horse jumps the higher height option fences. The judging

assistant is not required to be a licensed official and is not responsible for the

scoring of the judging panels. A competition staff member may fill this role.

f. The Option Bonus Score of one (1) additional point for each higher height

option fence jumped must be awarded even if there is a refusal, rail down

or loss of good jumping style at that higher height option fence, providing

that the horse- and-rider combination does jump the higher height option

fence.

g.For the Hunt and Go Format, the Classic Round Score, including high

options, is the tie-breaker.

IV. Tie Breaking Procedures

A. No judge or panel may award the same base score to any two competitors in any

one round unless a competitor’s score is below the cut-off score.

B. Any ties in the Classic Round will be broken by the base score (before adding height

bonus points) of that round.

© 2026 United States Hunter Jumper Association, Inc.

2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby Exhibitor Specifications

5

C. Unless the prize list states that more than twelve (12) entries are to return for the

second round, only the top twelve (12) horses from the first round, after all ties are

broken, are eligible to return for the second round.

D. Ties for overall places, including 1st place, will be broken using the Handy Round

Score, including high options.

V. Schooling

A. During the two (2) rounds of the 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby, all horses entered

must be ridden in official horse show schooling areas unless Management designates

a specific schooling area for 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby horses. Riders must

wear their horse’s Derby competition number while mounted. This includes horses

entered simultaneously in another class, if any. Entered horses ridden or schooled

elsewhere on the competition grounds or NOT wearing their Derby competition

number will be eliminated from competing in the Derby and the entry fee will be

forfeited.

VI. Order of Go

A. The order of go must be posted a minimum of one (1) hour prior to the start of the class.

B. In the case of multiple horses being ridden by the same rider, every effort will be

made so that there will be a minimum of eight horses (if available) separating

multiple rides. All horses must be ridden in the sequence that appears on the jumping

order in the first round of the competition. In the second round horses will return in

reverse order of their first round scores (lowest to highest). Due to multiple rides or

rider conflicts, any rider may elect to move up in the order. Should a jump-off occur,

horses will return in the same order in which they competed in the second round.

C. The draw may be performed by hand or competition management may host a

computer draw.

VII. Awards Presentation

A. All riders in the top twelve (12) overall (or their designated representative if not

available) must ride for ribbons in order to receive prize money. Although not

required, a show may choose to award separate ribbons for the first round if so

stated in the prize list.

B. Judges are required to pin to 12th place (plus two reserve placings) for the purpose of

awarding zone bonus points.

C. Ribbons and prize money are required to be awarded through 12th place per the prize

money breakdown provided in section X.A.

D. Competitions may award ribbons to the highest placing junior hunter rider and highest

placing amateur hunter rider in addition to the awards for the overall top twelve (12)

riders if so stated in the prize list.

VIII. Course Requirements

A. The course diagrams for each round must be posted a minimum of one (1) hour before

the start of the first round, unless the second round is held at another time. In that

case, the course for the second round must be posted a minimum of one hour prior.

B. Dotted lines are prohibited in both the first and second rounds of any 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter

Derby.

C. Jumps in ALL Rounds

1. Obstacles must simulate those reminiscent of the hunt field and course must

offer a variety of Classic jumps with different appearances such as: natural

post and rail, stone wall, white board fence or gate, coop, aiken, hedge,

© 2026 United States Hunter Jumper Association, Inc.

2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby Exhibitor Specifications

6

oxer, brush, logs, natural foliage.

2. Natural obstacles such as banks and ditches are not allowed.

3. A minimum of 2” difference is required for the back element of all oxers.

4. Ground lines are not to exceed 18” in depth from the vertical plane of the

jump. For appropriate jumps, no ground line is necessary.

5. The jumpable portion of any fence must be a minimum of eight ( feet on its front face

6. The top element of all jumps must be in cups except for walls with movable bricks.

7. Flat cups may only be used for log fences and in accordance with USEF rules.

8. Distances will not be adjusted for ponies.

9. Fence height 2’6”-2’9”

10. There must be four (4) high option fences set at 2’9”. (Hunt and Go format

refer to Section III F.1) If there is a difference in difficulty between any two

tracks containing height options, the higher options should include the more

inviting, less difficult track.

D. Classic Hunter Style Course (First Round)

1. A minimum of ten (10) obstacles must be offered in the Classic Hunter Round.

2. At least three of the following types of fences are encouraged to be utilized:

natural post and rail, stone wall, white board fence, riviera gate, coop, aiken,

hedge, brush or logs.

3. At least one bending line

4. At least one line with an unrelated distance

5. At least one long approach

E. Handy Hunter Course (Second Round)

1. A minimum of eight ( obstacles must be offered in the Handy Hunter Round.

2. At least three of the following types of fences are encouraged to be utilized:

natural post and rail, stone wall, white board fence, riviera gate, coop, aiken,

hedge, brush or logs.

3. The course should simulate riding over hunt country and must have a

minimum of two (2) handy options, such as: tight turns, different tracks,

clever options for jump approaches, pen type obstacles, hand gallop a

jump, trot a lowered obstacle not to exceed 2’ in height, halt and/or back.

Gimmicky options are not appropriate.

4. Unless the prize list states that more than twelve (12) entries are to return

for the second round, then only the top twelve (12) horses from the first

round, after all ties are broken, are eligible to return for the second round.

IX. Competition Requirements

A. A 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby may be offered at USEF Licensed Channel I

(Premier or National), or Channel II (Regional) rated competitions, or competitions

that have been approved for a Special Competition status.

B. Competition Management will collect and remit to USHJA the $25 per horse

entrant fee at Channel I (Premier and National) rated competitions and

competitions that have been approved for a Special Competition status, and the

$15 per horse entrant fee at Channel II (Regional) competitions.

C. Prize money for each class must meet the minimum requirements outlined in

Section X, as designated by the competition’s rating.

D. When there are forty (40) or more entries, the class may be split into two (2)

separate classes. Once fifty (50) entries have competed, the class must be split into

two (2) or three (3) separate classes.

E. Cross-entry of horses between the two (2) or three (3) 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter

Derbies is not permitted.

F. In the event of inclement weather, competition management has the right to

© 2026 United States Hunter Jumper Association, Inc.

2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby Exhibitor Specifications

7

change the original, posted format of the class.

G.Competition management will remit complete results including prize money

awarded to USHJA (in a PDF Form) and USEF within ten (10) days of the

conclusion of the competition.

H.It is important for Management to make sure that the pointing and scoring system

is fully understood by spectators. USHJA requests that announcers announce

scores using their own style, but containing the following information in a clear

manner:

1. First Round

“The judges score an 84. An additional four points will be awarded for the four

higher option fences that were taken, giving our entry a final score of 88 for this

round.”

2. Second Round

“The judges score an 82 for this round. An additional four points will be awarded for

the four higher option fences that were taken, giving our entry a final score of 86 for

this round.” Handiness is taken into account in the judges’ base score.

X. Prize Money and Entry Fee

A. Prize money must be paid to a minimum of twelve (12) places as follows:

1st-30%

2nd-22%

3rd-13%

4th-8%

5th-6%

6th-5%

7th-4%

8th-3%

9th-3%

10th-2%

11th-2%

12th 2%

B. If there are twelve (12) or less entries in the class, prize money must be paid according to the

breakdown in Section X.A through the last placing entry. Any remaining prize money not

awarded due to less than twelve (12) entries may be split and awarded equally to all entrants

that place in the class.

C. Competitions wishing to offer additional prize money above the minimum required (including

any add- back money if applicable) and pay additional placings must print the information in

the prize list and notify the USHJA of the final prize money distribution. If a change in prize

money and placings occurs after the prize list is printed, the competition must follow all USEF

rules regarding changes to the prize list (GR 903). The prize money awarded to each placing

below 12th place must not exceed the amount awarded to 12th place.

D. A minimum of $500 prize money must be offered per class in Channel I (Premier and 2’6”

Junior/Amateur) rated competitions and competitions that have been approved for a Special

Competition status.

E. A minimum of $250 prize money must be offered per class in Channel II (Regional)

rated competitions.

F. Channel I and Channel II rated may offer more than the minimum prize money required.

G. A competition may choose to offer add-back prize money in addition to the prize money

offered, however, the minimum required prize money must be guaranteed. If add-back

prize money will be offered, this must be stated in the prize list.

H. If two (2) 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derbies are offered, prize money for each class

must meet the minimum requirements designated by the competition’s rating.

I. The entry fee cannot exceed 10% of the prize money offered including the per horse entrant fee.

© 2026 United States Hunter Jumper Association, Inc.

2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby Exhibitor Specifications

8

XI. USHJA Contact Information

Please contact one of the following USHJA representatives if questions arise pertaining to the USHJA 2’6”

Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby that cannot be answered by the Show Steward or Management based on the

class specifications provided.

Sara Murray-Smith – USHJA Sport Programs Coordinator (859) 225-6735

Janet Sassmannshausen- Chair of the Child/Adult Task Force (847) 682-6805

Britt McCormick- USHJA President (972) 467-6008

The USHJA 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby and the related format and specifications are the sole

properties of the USHJA and may only be held, conducted or used upon the terms and conditions

specified by the USHJA. USHJA reserves the right to change language in documents related to the

conduct of the USHJA 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby as necessary for the purposes of consistency

and clarity.

Any deviations from the class specifications for the USHJA 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby are not

permitted without the express written permission from USHJA prior to the printing of the prize list.

For any rules not specified above, please refer to the current