Championship

Young Jumper Championship Rules

Qualifying Classes, along with League Finals, will be offered for Five, Six, and Seven/Eight Year Old horses in 2013. 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 2013 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 2013:
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: Per USEF rule JP116.2: Boots: Non-weighted non-performance enhancing (any boot that does anything but protect the horse’s leg/ankle will be considered performance enhancing) 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 (excluding fleece and other protective padding). The total maximum weight of equipment allowed to be added to a horse’s leg, front or hind (single or multiple boots, fetlock rings etc.), is 350g (shoe excluded).  Martingales: Only running martingales used in the customary manner are permitted in any Young Jumper class.

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.  All course requirements as outlined in the Course Designer Guidelines below 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.    YJC Qualifying Classes may combine 2 age groups (not more than 10 cm of difference in jump heights) and run as one class when there are less than 3 entries in a given age group.  When classes are combined, each age category must jump the height specified for that category and course requirements and other specifications must conform to those specified for the youngest age jumping in the combined class.  Results must indicate the age at which each entry competed. 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).

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 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 ever shown in Open Jumper Classes offering $25,000 or more in prize money with fence heights of 1.25m or higher	YJC Nominated. Must not have ever shown in Open Jumper Classes offering $25,000 or more in prize money with fence heights of 1.35m or higher	YJC Nominated. Must not have ever shown in Open Jumper Classes offering $25,000 or more in prize money held at the National or International Standard
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 Qualifiers 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 Qualifiers 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 Qualifiers and/or other non-nominating fee classes.
Height	1.10m to maximum 1.15m until July 1st and after July 1st 1.15m to maximum 1.20m. First fence and ‘A’ of combinations to be set 5cm lower than course height.	1.20 m to maximum 1.25m until July 1st and after July 1st 1.25 to maximum 1.30 m.	1.30 m for Seven Year Olds and 1.35m for Eight Year Olds) until July 1st and after July 1st 1.30m to 1.35 m for Seven-Year-Olds and 1.35m to 1.40m for Eight Year Olds.  Age groups must be split if more than 15 entries in each section.
Speed	350 m/m	350 m/m	350 m/m
Scoring Table	Table II (clear round) or Section 2.	Table II, Section 1 or 2.	Table II, Section 1 or 2.
Courses See additional restrictions for young horses in USEF Rule Book JP116.	Flowing and smooth tracks—encouraging very young, green horses to jump clear.  Distances set on comfortable striding.  No technicality or awkward approaches to jumps.  Use walls and ‘spooky’ material very carefully, especially in first half of the year. First fence and entrance to any combination 5 cm lower than height of class.  All courses should begin in a simple and inviting manner for green horses; combinations, very square oxers, and other ‘questions’ should be in the second half of the course.	Smooth tracks, not technical (especially early in the season).  Avoid complicated or technical approaches to any combinations or related lines.  Use care not to overly complicate any portion of the course with multiple questions (i.e. height, width, distance, material, approach, etc.)   Avoid combinations, liverpools, etc. before fence #4 or 5, especially in the first half of the year.	Increase the horses’ experience over a variety of courses.  Keep in mind that these are not yet experienced GP or Amateur horses but are getting experience to meet greater challenges in the future.
Combinations	No triple combinations before July 1. One spread maximum in any combination before July 1.  Use material horses are familiar and comfortable with in combinations. Use only comfortable, flowing distances.	One spread per combination maximum prior to July 1.  Use only comfortable, flowing distances in combinations.  Avoid using any short or ‘trappy’ distances.	Avoid difficult triples where horses can get bad experiences. Liverpools, if used, are permitted as the first element only.
Liverpools and Water	Liverpools encouraged when used in an inviting manner – never in combinations. When using a vertical over any liverpool, the rails must be in the center.  Square oxers should never be used over a Liverpool. Water or in-ground liverpools must have an option provided.	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 July 1. Must offer an option prior to July 1 and strongly suggested thereafter.	Liverpools, if used in combinations, permitted as first element only. Water jumps may not exceed 12’ (3.60m)