Lexington, KY – April 14, 2017 – The National Horse Show is looking forward to hosting the inaugural National Horse Show 3’3” Equitation Championship in honor of the USHJA Foundation. The class, which will be held in the Alltech Arena on October 28-29, before the 2017 CP National Horse Show, will be a stand-alone class and independently governed by USEF rules and regulations.
“The goal of the National Horse Show 3’3” Equitation Championship is to offer a stepping stone to riders who aspire to compete in the ASPCA Maclay National Championships,” said Geoff Teall, Chairman of the Equitation Committee for the National Horse Show. “We were pleased with the impassioned response towards the addition of this class from the equestrian community and we have taken into consideration the many comments that were received and have since removed the ‘Maclay’ designation from the title of the class. We are certain that the addition of this class will allow more riders an opportunity to compete and prepare for the major ASPCA Maclay National Championship.”
“The creation of the National Horse Show 3’3” Equitation Championship solidifies the National Horse Show Association’s commitment to elevating competitive hunter and equitation competition. We chose to host the class in honor of the USHJA Foundation because the organizations’ goals of supporting riders in competition, especially juniors, aligns perfectly with our goals in the creation of the NHS 3’3” Equitation Championship,” continued Teall.
During the inaugural year, at the 2017 CP National Horse Show riders who are interested in competing in the NHS 3’3” Equitation Championship will not need to be a member of the National Horse Show Association (NHSA) and will not need to qualify for the class. Qualifying competitions and membership requirements will begin September 1, 2017 for the following competition year.
The National Horse Show 3’3” Equitation Championship will be open to junior members of USEF or Equine Canada who have not reached their 18th birthday and who have never competed in any of the following National Equitation Finals with fences at 3’6”: ASPCA Maclay Finals, US Medal Finals, USEF Talent Search (East or West), WIHS Equitation Classic Finals, Jump Canada Medal Finals or the North American Equitation Championship.
The specifications of the NHS 3’3” Equitation Championship will include a Preliminary Round with no less than eight obstacles that will be set at a height of 3’3”. The Preliminary Round will be followed by a Flat Phase that will require riders to be judged at the walk, trot, and canter. A final list of riders will be asked to return to the ring for a second course with the same specifications. The testing of up to six riders is optional, using USEF Tests 1-18.
Riders may compete in the National Horse Show 3’3” Equitation Championship and any ASPCA Maclay Regional Championship Class in the same year provided they are otherwise eligible to compete.
Riders may not show in both the ASPCA Maclay Finals and the National Horse Show 3’3” Equitation Championship in the same competition year.
For a full list of specifications of the National Horse Show 3’3” Equitation Championship in honor of the USHJA Foundation, please click here.