06/19/2026
The United States Hunter Jumper Association’s mission is to “unify and represent the hunter and jumper disciplines of equestrian sport through education, recognition and sport programs,” Haley Scwab writes. It currently operates under the umbrella of the United States Equestrian Federation as the National Affiliate for the hunter and jumper disciplines.
But it’s my opinion that the USHJA is better positioned to serve as a local and regional advocate for the hunter/jumper industry than the USEF. USEF is spread too thin, with too many programs and operations, and is out of touch with everyday horse sport enthusiasts. The USHJA should terminate its affiliation with USEF and rebrand as the national advocate for regional hunter/jumper organizations across the country.
The hunter/jumper equestrian industry in the United States is at a crossroads. The most elite level of the sport (those vying for a coveted spot on the short list for championships) is thriving. They are well-resourced, highly influential in the sport, and receive millions of dollars in sponsorship and support through the USEF’s foundation annually. Not to mention the latest high-performance showjumping league that just announced its 2027 launch with annual prize money of $100 million.
Meanwhile, the sport is becoming increasingly less accessible for most horse sport enthusiasts. The USEF’s hunter/jumper constituents, junior/amateurs, trainers, other industry professionals and, most importantly, the horses, are not served by the actions of the USEF because these constituents are not the primary focus of the USEF. We all pay in, but few of us are getting any return.
For example, as has been written about ad nauseum, horse shows are increasingly expensive and out of reach for many hunter/jumper enthusiasts. Why is this? Among the factors is the extreme consolidation where large national shows cannibalize local and regional shows.
📎 Continue reading this op-ed at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2026/06/17/ushja-should-terminate-its-affiliation-with-the-usef-and-be-the-national-advocate-for-regional-hunter-jumper-organizations/
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