BY HALEY SCHWAB
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.” 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.
The USEF has encouraged this consolidation through its support of only the most well-resourced show managers and organizations. Large, national shows provide wonderful opportunities to showcase the top level of the sport but are wholly insufficient and inappropriate for many hunter/jumper horses and riders. Local and regional horse shows, supported by local and regional organizations, don’t just provide an on-ramp for many to first start to engage in the hunter/jumper sport, but have and should continue to provide a way for lifelong engagement in the hunter/jumper industry.
This is where the USHJA can refocus its efforts. By moving away from the USEF’s governance, the USHJA can prioritize engagement with the hunter/jumper industry at a local and regional level by offering partnership and support with local and regional organizations. The new USHJA can prioritize horse and rider development and support local and regional horse trainers in their training, education, and development of the sport. The USHJA’s affiliation with the USEF actively prevents it from engaging on a more local and regional level.
The USEF as an organization is focused on too many things, from different disciplines to the promotion of top-level sport internationally. It is not focused on, nor does it facilitate, broader engagement in equestrian sport for regional and local enthusiasts, not to mention growing the sport. Leave the USEF in charge of what it does best – promoting athletes on Team USA in international competition. Leave the rest to the USHJA.
The USHJA board is made up of 17 members. In the fall of 2026, there will be elections for four new At-Large Directors and the Secretary/Treasurer position. All Senior Active members of the USHJA in good standing are eligible to participate in the nomination process. Nomination is open for the month of June, and, after additional selection procedures, elections occur at the USHJA Annual Meeting in December 2026.
I propose that Senior Active members who are interested in continuing a discussion about how we can refocus national efforts to propose local and regional growth of the sport and make real, tangible change for the future seek to have their voices heard through the USHJA. A critical mass can nominate and elect At-Large Directors who are committed to real change at the governing level of the sport. Members can also reach out to the board of directors, members of the executive committee, or other committee members. Contact information for all of these individuals can be found on the USHJA website here.
The USHJA bylaws (including Article 1601, which details USHJA’s affiliation with USEF) can be amended by a vote of a majority of the directors. We can work together to elect like-minded At-Large Directors and other officers, as well as lobby existing members to see how the USHJA can refocus its efforts on local and regional hunter/jumper sport, starting with ending its affiliation with USEF.
Haley is a lifelong hunter/jumper rider who competes in the amateur-owner divisions up and down the West Coast. She is especially passionate about developing young horses and setting them up for long, successful careers with their next partners. Outside the ring, Haley lives in San Francisco with her husband and their dog, where she practices corporate and nonprofit law.
