Confused about junior hunter division

[gertie06]

Back in the old days, there were small juniors and large juniors. Smalls were under 16.0. Everybody jumped 3’6".

Now it seems to be all different. Smalls are now 16.0 or under, I think? And there’s a 3’3" height now? I’m so confused. Someone please educate me.

[jhg140]

They changed the height break a few years ago, I believe. There’s a 3’3" jr division and a regular jr division, which is 3’6". If entries allow, they are split by rider age, horse height, or both.

[rockonxox]

From USEF https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/n7tE…r-competitions
HJ132 Junior Hunter Sections

1. “A” Rated 3’6” Junior Hunter Sections. At least two sections must be offered in the prize list (large/small or older/ younger). See GR312.6 for number of required classes and prize money. At Premier rated competitions, four 3’6” Junior Hunter sections must be offered in the prize list (large younger, large older, small younger, small older).
2. “A” Rated 3’3” Junior Hunter Sections. Junior Hunter 3’3” may not be offered unless Junior Hunter 3’6” is also offered. (Exception: USHJA Zone Championship competitions) See GR312.6 for number of required classes and prize money. If offered at least two sections are required to be listed in the prize list.

3’3" division was added in 2014. There are still small/large/older/younger sections. Smalls are over 14.2 hands and not to exceed 15 hands 2 1/2 inches.

[eswarmbloods]

Divisions at Junior Hunter Finals:
Small Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under
Small Junior Hunter 3’3” 16-17
Large Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under
Large Junior Hunter 3’3” 16-17
Small Junior Hunter 3’6” 15 & Under
Small Junior Hunter 3’6” 16-17
Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 15 & Under
Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 16-17

[OnDeck]

@eswarmbloods

Divisions at Junior Hunter Finals:
Small Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under
Small Junior Hunter 3’3” 16-17
Large Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under
Large Junior Hunter 3’3” 16-17
Small Junior Hunter 3’6” 15 & Under
Small Junior Hunter 3’6” 16-17
Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 15 & Under
Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 16-17

Yup. Junior hunters are now split 8 ways. To make it extra confusing, they get combined in various ways at normal horse shows as most sections don’t fill on their own. IMO it makes winning a lot less of an accomplishment, but it does prevent the 13 year olds from showing against the 17 year olds and gives the nice 15.3hh horses a chance to carry a bit more pace without being compared to bigger horses that lope the lines.

[LovesHorses]

@rockonxox

From USEF https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/n7tE…r-competitions
HJ132 Junior Hunter Sections

1. “A” Rated 3’6” Junior Hunter Sections. At least two sections must be offered in the prize list (large/small or older/ younger). See GR312.6 for number of required classes and prize money. At Premier rated competitions, four 3’6” Junior Hunter sections must be offered in the prize list (large younger, large older, small younger, small older).
2. “A” Rated 3’3” Junior Hunter Sections. Junior Hunter 3’3” may not be offered unless Junior Hunter 3’6” is also offered. (Exception: USHJA Zone Championship competitions) See GR312.6 for number of required classes and prize money. If offered at least two sections are required to be listed in the prize list.

3’3" division was added in 2014. There are still small/large/older/younger sections. Smalls are over 14.2 hands and not to exceed 15 hands 2 1/2 inches.

You’re thinking of the Smalls that jump 3ft. Small Jrs go up to 16 hands. Nothing has changed there.

[MHM]

@LovesHorses

You’re thinking of the Smalls that jump 3ft. Small Jrs go up to 16 hands. Nothing has changed there.

Actually…

I believe there was a change within the last few years in that 16 hands on the dot used to be one size, and now it’s the other size. But I don’t remember off the top of my head which direction it changed.

[Mayaty02]

@MHM

Actually…

I believe there was a change within the last few years in that 16 hands on the dot used to be one size, and now it’s the other size. But I don’t remember off the top of my head which direction it changed.

That is correct, it used to be UNDER 16 h was a small junior now you can BE 16.0 and still be a small junior.

[eswarmbloods]

@Mayaty02

That is correct, it used to be UNDER 16 h was a small junior now you can BE 16.0 and still be a small junior.

This is correct! We have a 16.0 on the dot small

[rockonxox]

Hm. I got that straight from the USEF site so… maybe they need to update their rules!

[gertie06]

@OnDeck

Yup. Junior hunters are now split 8 ways. To make it extra confusing, they get combined in various ways at normal horse shows as most sections don’t fill on their own. IMO it makes winning a lot less of an accomplishment, but it does prevent the 13 year olds from showing against the 17 year olds and gives the nice 15.3hh horses a chance to carry a bit more pace without being compared to bigger horses that lope the lines.

Lord amighty…split 8 ways?! I don’t think I’ve ever been to a show with enough junior hunter entries to fill 8 divisions!

[Mayaty02]

@gertie06

Lord amighty…split 8 ways?! I don’t think I’ve ever been to a show with enough junior hunter entries to fill 8 divisions!

They are usually combined, but if there are enough entries they do split. At the big shows and championships, those are the splits.

[Madeline]

Back in the (good?) old days, there were 70 junior hunters regularly at Devon-level shows. Small, large, old, young. All jumping 3’6". Next they started splitting classes with over 40(?) entries. Odd and even numbers.There used to be outside courses and one-stride in and outs, too. There were also 30-40 large (13.0-14.2) ponies doing outside courses and in and outs at 3’. I don’t know if that was better, but it was certainly an accomplishment to win a ribbon of any color.