United States Hunter Jumper Association

What United States Hunter Jumper Association does

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation incorporated in New York and headquartered at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Founded around 2005, it serves as the U.S. Equestrian-recognized national affiliate for the Hunter and Jumper disciplines, providing sanctioned competition programs, educational initiatives, awards and recognition, and rules/governance support to individual equestrian athletes, professional trainers, riding academies, and affiliate organizations. Its portfolio spans more than twenty products, including the International Hunter Derby ($450 annual enrollment), Amateur Hunter Championships ($25,000 in prize money across four divisions), Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships, the Emerging Athletes Program, and the USHJA Foundation, all organized through a 12-zone geographic structure across the United States.

USHJA operates a membership-driven, event-centric business model. Revenue is generated through recurring annual membership dues across junior, amateur, and professional tiers; usage-based competition enrollment and nomination fees (e.g., $100 per horse for Amateur Hunter Championships, $150 non-enrolled horse entry fees); transaction-based horse registration, name-change, ownership-transfer, and microchipping services; sponsorship income from a roster of equestrian brands (Marshall+Sterling, Frank & Eileen, Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Parlanti, Essex Classics); and tax-deductible donations channeled through the USHJA Foundation. The technology backbone is a set of web-based platforms — my.ushja.org for member account management, plus hjdata.ushja.org and data.ushja.org for competition results and standings — with website analytics provided by Google Analytics and Hotjar. Distribution is direct-to-member through the website portal, eNews, In Stride magazine, the On Course podcast, and live event streaming via USEF Network and ClipMyHorse.tv, supplemented by channel partners IEA and IHSA for scholastic and collegiate feeder pipelines.

The organization has 11-50 staff (cited within the 15-149 Best Place to Work in Kentucky Small Company band), is led by President Britt McCormick, Executive Director Whitney Allen (with Kevin Price noted in earlier materials), and CFO Lisa Moss for the Foundation. Recent strategic activity includes the November 2025 ICL Academy partnership for youth development and the 2025 launch of the inaugural Amateur Hunter Championships.

Name

United States Hunter Jumper Association

Legal name

United States Hunter Jumper Association

Website

https://ushja.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

USHJA is the U.S. Equestrian-recognized national non-profit affiliate for Hunter and Jumper disciplines, providing sanctioned competition programs, championships, education, and awards to amateur, junior, and professional equestrian athletes across 12 U.S. zones.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equestrian Sports Association Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Amateur Sport Governing Bodies & Federations (National/Regional) (MPAKACAD)

Keywords

• Equestrian sports association
• Hunter jumper competitions
• Equestrian membership programs
• Horse registration services
• Equestrian education credentials

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Competition Enrollment Fees: Annual enrollment fees for programs like the International Hunter Derby ($450/year) and non-enrolled horse entry fees ($150 per horse per class).
2. Nomination and Entry Fees: Nomination fee of $100 per horse for Amateur Hunter Championships, plus competition entry fees for various programs.
3. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for individual members with different tiers including junior, amateur, and professional categories.
4. Horse Registration Services: Fees for horse registration, name changes, ownership transfers, and microchipping services.
5. Donations and Foundation Support: Tax-deductible donations to the USHJA Foundation supporting educational, humanitarian, and competitive programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

USHJA is the US Equestrian-recognized national affiliate for Hunter and Jumper disciplines, providing competitive programs (International Hunter Derby, Amateur Hunter Championships, National Championships, zone-based competitions), educational programs (Emerging Athletes Program, Instructor Credentialing, Recognized Riding Academy), horse registration services, and member benefits across 12 U.S. zones. The organization runs a comprehensive competitive pathway from grassroots Outreach programs through elite International Hunter Derby championships, supported by its charitable USHJA Foundation.

Product overview

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is a non-profit organization serving as the US Equestrian-recognized national affiliate for Hunter and Jumper disciplines. Rather than a single product, USHJA offers a comprehensive portfolio of competitive programs, educational initiatives, and membership services. The core competitive offerings include the International Hunter Derby (with $450 annual enrollment), Amateur Hunter Championships ($25,000 prize money across four divisions), Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for juniors and amateurs, and the Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships. Education programs include the Emerging Athletes Program, Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, Instructor Credential Program, and Recognized Riding Academy accreditation. Additional services encompass horse registration, zone-based competitions, outreach programs, and the USHJA Foundation for grants and scholarships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• USHJA Foundation: Provides financial support for educational, humanitarian, and competitive programs that strengthen the hunter/jumper community

Products and services

• USHJA International Hunter Derby
• USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships
• USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic A three-round class combining precision of equitation and handiness of hunters over a 3'6" course for juniors, held during USEF Junior Hunter National Championships. Separate versions exist for Amateurs at 3' course height.
• Marshall+Sterling/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Provides junior exhibitors with the opportunity to develop equitation skills over jumper-style courses. Includes flat phase, gymnastics phase, and jumping phase with courses at 3'3" height.
• 3'3" Adult Jumping Seat Medal Provides Adult Amateur exhibitors the opportunity to showcase equitation skills over jumper-style courses followed by a flat phase. Riders qualify by earning 10+ points or completing 3+ classes during the qualifying period.
• Emerging Athletes Program Educational and athlete development program including regional and national training sessions, clinician bios, alumni network, and Mini EAP for younger athletes.
• Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Competition testing horsemanship knowledge with national finals, study guides, practice quizzes, and IHSA Team Challenge and Stable Challenge components.
• Green Hunter Incentive Program Incentive program supporting green hunters with enrollment, calendar of events, standings, and regional championships.
• Zone Hunt & Go Team Challenge Zone-based team competition format for hunters.
• Pony Hunter Derby Competition series for pony hunters with calendar, host management, standings, and past winners listings.
• Young Hunter Pony Championships Championship competition for young hunter ponies with graduate tracking and donation opportunities.
• Young Jumper Championships Championship for young jumpers with enrollment, host/management, and qualifying processes.
• Outreach Competition Program Competition access program with calendar, FAQs, host management, standings, series and festivals designed to make hunter/jumper sports accessible at the grassroots level.
• Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships The premier national championship event for USHJA members.
• Horse Registration System System for registering horses, changing horse names, transferring ownership, recording leases, and microchipping services.
• Instructor Credential Program Credentialing program for instructors with registration, calendar, benefits, responsibilities, collegiate pathway, and directory.
• Recognized Riding Academy Program Program recognizing quality riding academies with application requirements, benefits, and listing of recognized academies.
• Educational Clinics and Webinars Ongoing educational forums, webinars, and clinic listings for hunter/jumper development.
• Licensed Officials Education Training and resources for licensed officials including calendar and educational materials.
• Gold Star Clinics Advanced clinics as part of the Emerging Jumper Rider Program.
• World Championship Hunter Rider Program Program recognizing top hunter riders with enrollment, calendar, awards, standings, and a spectacular gala event.
• Sallie B. Wheeler Hunter Breeding National Championship National championship for hunter breeding with graduates tracking and donation support.
• Platinum Jumper Championships Championship for platinum-level jumpers with application process, calendar, host management, and qualifying lists.
• Zone Jumper Team Championships Zone-based team championship for jumpers with apply, calendar, host management, and qualifying lists.
• IHSA/USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Hunter seat medal program in partnership with IHSA for equitation development.
• 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Finals Finals competition for the 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal program.
• USHJA Foundation The charitable arm of USHJA providing financial support for educational, humanitarian, and competitive programs. Offers grants, scholarships, fundraisers, and relief for members in times of crisis.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 entries at Amateur Festival events
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• ICL AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025Strategic partnership announced November 3, 2025 in Lexington, KY. Collaboration aims to support equestrian athletes in balancing elite training with academic excellence, enhancing youth development within the sport.
• US EquestriancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSHJA is the US Equestrian-recognized national affiliate for the Hunter and Jumper disciplines. Works closely with the sport's governing body for rules, competitions, and governance.
• IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember partner organization supporting school-level equestrian teams and competitions.
• IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember partner organization supporting college-level equestrian competition.
• Split Rock Jumping TourmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHost partner for USHJA Amateur Festival events at Kentucky Horse Park, including Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic and Amateur Hunter Championships.
• Herm SprengerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Sponsor providing equestrian equipment and products.
• NutrenaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Sponsor providing equine nutrition products.
• ParlantiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Sponsor providing equestrian boots and gear.
• StrideFullminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Sponsor.
• Frank & EileenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships.
• Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic.
• Windsor StablesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLive Stream Presenting Sponsor for Amateur Festival events.
• Marshall+SterlingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle Sponsor of 3'3 Jumping Seat Medal and National Championships.
• Essex ClassicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAward Sponsor for equitation and amateur competitions.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Reining Horse Association (NRHA): Discipline-specific equestrian association running member programs, competitions, and championship events for reining; operates a similar non-profit membership and event model.
• United States Dressage Federation (USDF): Sister equestrian discipline association with parallel membership, competition, and education programs for dressage riders, also operating as a USEF-recognized national affiliate.
• United States Eventing Association (USEA): Sister equestrian discipline association. Operates the same member-driven, USEF-recognized national affiliate model for eventing, with programs, zones, championships, and educational offerings.
• United States Polo Association (USPA): Niche equestrian membership organization with parallel member-program, handicap/rating system, and championship structure serving a comparable affluent equestrian demographic.
• American Paint Horse Association (APHA): Breed/sport equine association with similar non-profit membership, horse registration, show program, and award business serving a comparable equestrian community.
• American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA): Breed and sport registry with parallel non-profit membership model, horse registration services, show programs, and awards serving the broader sport-horse community.

Broad incumbents

• American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA): Largest US breed/sport equine association. Operates parallel membership, registration, show, and award programs at significantly greater scale, making it the broad incumbent benchmark for equine-membership business models.
• Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI): International equestrian federation. Oversees all FEI-level disciplines including jumping; relevant as the international umbrella that shapes rules and standards USHJA-aligned programs must accommodate.
• US Equestrian: National federation for equestrian sport in the US. USHJA operates as a USEF-recognized affiliate for Hunter/Jumper disciplines; USEF sets the rules and is the umbrella governing body.
• USA Swimming: National governing body for amateur sport with analogous membership-program-revenue structure - member dues, sanctioned competitions, training/education, and an affiliated foundation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/USHJA

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United States Hunter Jumper Association