Rules

Young Jumper Championship Rules

Qualifying Classes, along with League Finals, will be offered for Five, Six, and Seven/Eight Year Old horses in 2011. To be eligible to participate in any aspect of the YJC program, horses must meet the following criteria:

1. RECORDING: Horses must be recorded for the year 2011 with the Young Jumper Championships. The correct recording fee must accompany the completed YJC Recording Form. The recording fee will be discounted 50% in the case of horses properly nominated to the International Jumper Futurity, provided they submit a copy of their IJF certificate directly to the Young Jumper Championships, P.O. Box 1445, Georgetown, KY 40324.

Horses that were not properly recorded prior to participation in any YJC class will not receive credit toward qualification for League Finals. Please note it is the responsibility of the owner or trainer, and not the show or the YJC, to assure that horses are properly recorded. A listing of currently YJC Recorded horses will be updated regularly on the web site at http://www.youngjumpers.com.

FEE SCHEDULE for 2011:
Horses nominated to IJF  :	50% discount
Horses recorded before April 1:	$150
Horses recorded after April 1 and before July 1:	$300
Horses recorded after July 1:	$500

2. PROOF OF AGE: A copy of the horse’s registration papers­—clearly showing Date of Birth, Markings, Pedigree and Breeder—must accompany the completed YJC Recording Form. In lieu of registration papers an FEI or National Horse Passport; a nomination certificate from the International Jumper Futurity; or a certified birth certificate signed by the attending veterinarian at the time of birth, will be accepted.

3. AGE GROUP: JANUARY 1 will be considered the universal birthdate for all horses.

4. EQUIPMENT: Hind Boots: Non-weighted (maximum of 350 g) hind ankle boots are permitted in classes restricted to Five, Six, Seven, or Eight year-olds. Support wraps are permitted. If boots are made of rigid leather or plastic, they may only be a maximum of 6 inches/15 cm in height. Only running martingales are permitted in YJC classes. See USEF Rule JP116 for more information.

5. COMPETITIONS: Any competition recognized by USEF may offer YJC QUALIFYING CLASSES. Note that only shows that have filed a timely application with the YJC will have dates and contact information included in the YJC Calendar. Show management may request a packet of additional YJC materials including complete YJC program rules, the most recent list of YJC recorded horses, Recording Application Forms, etc.

By hosting a YJC Qualifier, a show agrees to run its YJC Qualifiers in accordance with all of the following conditions:

1.    A USEF licensed course designer must be responsible for the courses for all YJC Qualifiers, and course requirements as outlined here must be adhered to.
2.    Each horse’s breed, sire, dam, and breeder must be announced during the class.
3.    Only one YJC Qualifier will be offered per show. Divisions for young jumpers may be offered, however the final class of the section must be clearly stated in the prize list to be the YJC Qualifier.
4.    Any YJC Class with 3 or fewer entries, by 5 PM the day prior to the class, may be cancelled or combined with another age group, at management’s discretion. Any class held combining age groups must be run as follows: The course will be set at the proper heights and specifications for the younger age group first and all horses of this age will take part under the proper scoring table for their age group—after which the course will be adjusted for the older group(s).

Note: A YJC Qualifier with fewer than 3 entries MAY be run, and exhibitors WILL receive credit for their round, but no points for placement.
5.    Shows failing to follow YJC program rules, including requiring proof of eligibility for all entrants, may be denied permission to hold YJC Qualifying Classes in the future.
6.     USEF Schooling and Equipment Rules must be enforced. (See above for special rules pertaining to Young Jumpers).
7.     QUALIFICATION FOR LEAGUE FINALS: Horses must compete and earn a score in a minimum of 3 YJC Qualifiers. The first round faults from the BEST THREE Qualifying rounds will count toward the YJC rankings.

Additional points will be assigned based on the number of entries in the Qualifying class, per USEF Rule GR1131 (see chart below). Horses that do not earn a ribbon will earn 1 point for each clear round in the Qualifying class. In the case of horses tied with equal faults for acceptance into a League Final, ties will be broken by by scores earned in the 4th & 5th qualifiers.

COURSE DESIGNER GUIDELINES for QUALIFYING CLASSES

	Five Year Olds	Six Year Olds	Seven/Eight Year Olds
Eligibility	YJC Nominated. Must not have competed in a Grand Prix at any Level.	YJC Nominated. Must not have competed in a Grand Prix at any Level.	YJC Nominated. Must not have competed in a Grand Prix at any Level.
Prize Money	Encouraged but not required.	Minimum of $500, or not less than that offered for other classes held at the same Height at the same show.	Minimum of $500, or not less than that offered for other classes held at the same Height at the same show.
Entry Fees	Not exceeding those for other classes at same Height. Nominating fees should be waived for 5-year-olds competing only in YJC classes and/or other non-nominating fee classes.	Not exceeding those for other classes at same Height. Nominating fees should be waived for 6-year-olds competing only in YJC classes and/or other non-nominating fee classes.	Not exceeding those for other classes at same height. Nominating fees should be waived for 7/8-year-olds competing only in YJC classes and/or other non-nominating fee classes.
Height	1.15 m before June 1, 1.20m after June 1. First fence 5cm lower than course height.	1.20 before June 1, 1.25m after June 1.	7YO: 1.25 before June 1, 1.30m after. 8YO: 1.30m before June 1, 1.35 after. Age groups must be split if more than 15 entries.
Scoring Table	Table II Section 1 or 2.	Table II, Section 1 or 2.	Table II, Sec. 1 or 2.
Courses See additional restrictions for young horses in USEF Rule Book JP116.	Flowing and smooth tracks—encouraging young horses to jump clear.	Smooth tracks, not overly technical (especially early in the season).	Increase horses’ experience over a variety of courses.
Combinations	No triple combinations before June 1. One spread in any combination before June 1. First fence 5 cm lower than height of class.	One spread per combination prior to June 1.	Avoid extremely difficult triples. Liverpools, if used, permitted as first element only.
Liverpools and Water	Liverpools encouraged used in an inviting manner-never in combinations. Water or in-ground liverpools to have an option provided. When used under a verticle, poles must be in center.	Liverpools encouraged but not permitted in combinations. Water jump with a rail in latter half of course, not more than 11′ (3.30m), encouraged after June 1. Must offer an option prior to June 1.	Liverpools, if used in combinations, permitted as first element only. Water jumps may not exceed 12’ (3.60m)
Speed	350 m/m	350 m/m	350 m/m