Lexington, Kentucky—Nov. 10, 2020—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is helping members Know Before You Show with a simple guide of rule changes taking effect for the new competition year. Click here for a comprehensive list of rule changes that were approved in 2020 for the 2021 competition year and here for the complete 2021 USEF Rulebook. The following are important rule changes, effective Dec. 1, 2020, for the 2021 competition year and affect Hunter/Jumper competition.
Equitation Points: This rule change defines two topics regarding awarding champion and reserve: 1. Only the top four riders over fences are eligible to receive champion or reserve and 2. Only one flat class may be used in the calculation of champion or reserve.
Hunter Equipment: This rule change adds nose nets and belly bands to the list of prohibited equipment in hunter classes.
Measurement: This rule change changes the age in which a horse or pony can receive a Standard Measurement card to 6. Ponies that received a Temporary Measurement card in 2019 but are now eligible for a Standard Measurement card under the age change will need to get measured again in 2021.
Green Eligibility: This rule change allows horses that either sustain an injury during the beginning of their Green Hunter 3'9" year or that need further schooling to be comfortable at the 3'9" height the ability to defer one year until they are ready to have a full year in the Green Hunter 3'9" section.
Green Hunter Points: This rule change requires a horse compete in a Green Hunter section a minimum of three competitions during the competition year for Horse of the Year money and points won in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive to be awarded toward the Green Hunter section.
Green Hunter Points: This rule change ensures that, as previously outlined in program specifications, horses accumulating National and Zone Horse of the Year points and money won in USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Stakes, Regional Championships, and National Championships as per GR1131 is now included in the rulebook.
Junior Hunter Sections: This rule change clarifies that juniors will now be allowed to cross enter into the Junior Hunter 3’3” sections and Jumper sections up to a 1.25m.
Young Hunter Sections: This rule change adjusts the names of the Young Hunter sections to more accurately describe the sections and adjusts the fence heights for each Young Hunter section as follows:
Young Hunter 3’0” is now Young Hunter 5 and under – 2’9”
Young Hunter 3’3” is now Young Hunter 6 and under – 3’0”
Young Hunter 3’6” is now Young Hunter 7 and under – 3’3”
Young Hunter Eligibility: This rule change simplifies the eligibility requirements to create a Young Hunter section based only on age.
Young Hunter Eligibility: This rule change allows competition managers to run the Young Hunter section concurrently with the Green Hunter section.
Jumper Tack and Attire: This rule change clarifies that the martingale rules outlined in JP 111.1 are for the competition ring and not schooling area.
Amateur/Owner, Amateur and Junior Jumper Fence Height: This rule change allows a range to be offered for Amateur/Owner, Amateur and Junior Jumper classes rather than one specific height.
Jumper Points: This rule change specifies that if a range of height is shown, the higher height will determine how the class is counted toward Horse of the Year awards, etc.
Jumper Timing: This rule change puts a time limit of 45 seconds on competitors to attempt the jump again after the tone from a time out.
Additionally, enrollment in the USHJA International Hunter Derby program is now mandatory to compete in an International Hunter Derby class. Please note this listing is not a comprehensive list of all rule changes effective Dec. 1, 2020. All rule changes can be viewed here. For more information about rules, click here.