The U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) will not be accepting new license applications for Hunter and Hunter/Jumping Seat Judges from Dec. 1, 2025, to Nov. 30, 2026. This will apply to both ‘r’ and ‘R’ licenses for both disciplines.
The decision was announced Nov. 25 on the USEF website, and came from the Hunter and Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation Judges Task Force, which was established in 2023 to analyze and improve the current judging system, and the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA).
“Through this process, we identified a need to evaluate and improve the current licensing and education systems for Hunter and Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation Judges,” reads the notice. “The Task Force examined feedback from stakeholders, assessed the effectiveness of the current systems, and considered the evolving standards within the sport. Enhanced educational resources and updated training curricula are essential to ensuring that judges are well-prepared to uphold fairness, consistency, and integrity in their officiating role.”
The moratorium allows USHJA to review and develop applicable training programs and “ensure new judges will begin their licensing process with consistent and up-to-date resources and are aligned on judging standards from the start of their licensing process.”
Applicants who began prior to Dec. 1, 2025, can continue with the process, but must fulfill the eligibility requirements within 45 days of starting the application, and USHJA will continue hosting applicant, promotion, and maintenance clinics to meet the needs of current applicants and judges. This moratorium applies only to Hunter and Hunter/Jumping Seat Judge applications and does not apply to Jumper or Hunter Breeding judges or course designers.
