Please ensure to check horse show venue programs and schedules for final details around OHJA programs as dates as subject to change.
OHJA Hunter Programs
- Pony Power Series and Final
- Beginner Child/Adult, Low Children's and Low Adult Stakes
- Beginner Child/Adult, Low Children's and Low Adult Classics
- Canadian Hunter Derby High Point Rider Awards
- Hunter Derby Course Walks
- OHJA Young Hunter Development Series
- OHJA Emerging Rider Medal
- OHJA 2'6'' Jr/Am Hunter
Pony Power Series
The Pony Power classes are intended to develop skills for the young rider and to familiarize riders and parents with scored hunter rounds. One Pony Power class will be included in each of the EC Small, Medium and Large Pony Divisions at select venues.
The class is one round, over a ‘handy’ styled course.
The class may consist of a rollback, trot fence, hand gallop fence, bending line, a halt, option fence, bounce or a fence jumped in a direct line to/from the in gate.
Rounds will be scored based on traditional hunter criteria and the scores will be announced.Ponies will be required to jog (at the discretion of the venue to be a closing trot circle or jogged in hand).
This program will run at the following competitions:
- The Champions, June 7 - 11, 2023 at Angelstone
- The National, June 21 - 25, 2023 at Angelstone
- Ten Sixty Stables Welcome, July 7 - 9, 2023 at Ten Sixty Stables
- Ottawa Summer Tournaments II, July 12 - 16, 2023 at Wesley Clover Parks
- Caledon Summer CSI2*, July 19 - 23, 2023 at Caledon Equestrian Park
- Labour Day Classic, August 30 - September 3, 2023 at Angelstone
There will be special ribbons and prizes awarded by the OHJA for these classes.
At select shows there will also be one hunter round of the Children’s Pony, Short Stirrup and Cross Rail divisions that will be run with open scoring and awarded special prizes-these classes do not qualify for a final.
Provincial Award points will be awarded in the Pony Power qualifier classes as per EC rule G113 Equestrian Canada rules.
Pony Power Finals
Hosted at the Hunter Spectacular & Equitation Special @ CEP Sept 6 - 10, 2023
Competitors competing in the OHJA Pony Power classes of the EC Small, Medium and Large Pony Divisions are eligible to qualify for the OHJA Pony Power Finals. The Final is open to the pony/rider combinations that have won a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th place ribbon in one of the qualifying classes of the current season. Entries will be required to ride in for ribbons. Formal attire is requested for the Final. The Final does not count towards Provincial Standings per EC rule G113.
The Final will be one handy round to be shown over a course of 10 jumps with appropriate adjustments for Small, Medium and Large ponies. The course will include at least three tests from the following list: rollback, trot fence, hand gallop fence, bending line, halt, option fence, gate, dismount, bounce and direct line to/from a jump to the in gate. Open numerical scoring will be based on traditional hunter criteria with an emphasis on style and handiness.
Ribbons and prizes will be awarded through 10th.
There will also be $5,000 in prize money to be awarded through to 10th as follows for the finals:
1/$1250, 2/$1000, 3/$800 4/$500, 5/$400, 6/$300, 7/$250, 8/$250, 9/$125, 10/$125
A prize will also be awarded to the top placing Small, Medium and Large Pony in the Finals.
Entries (owner, and rider) in both the qualifying classes and the finals must have a current OHJA membership to participate.
Beginner Children's/Adult, & Low Children's/Adult Hunter Stake Series
The OHJA Beginner& Low Children’s and Adult classes are intended to encourage the use of the Open Numerical Scoring System for both the enjoyment and education of the exhibitors and spectators.
The third trip of the Beginner and Low Divisions is to be run as a Stake Class.
This will be a one round class judged numerically out of 100 on quality, movement, jumping style, manners and way of going. The Stake round may contain multiple single jumps, roll backs, bending lines or longer lines.
Ribbons to 10th and prize money to 8th to be paid out as follows:
1st - $125.00, 2nd - $100.00, 3rd - $75.00, 4th - 60.00, 5th - $50.00, 6th - $35.00, 7th - $30.00, and 8th - $25.00
Winners are required to be mounted for presentations. Formal attire is requested.
This program will run at the following competitions:
- The Sportsmans Cup & Great Pony Challenge, June 28 - July 2, 2023 at Caledon Equestrian Park
- Ten Sixty Stables Welcome, July 7 - 9, 2023 at Ten Sixty Stables
- Ottawa Summer Tournaments II, July 12 - 16, 2023 at Wesley Clover Parks
- The Hunter Spectacular, September 6 - 10, 2023 at Angelstone
How do I know if I'm eligible for these divisions?
Beginner Children’s/Adult Hunter
This division is intended for new riders to learn how to show a hunter.
A beginner hunter is a rider who has NEVER won 6 first place ribbons over fences at an EC of USEF competition (Provincial competitions and Combined Training not to count). These wins are LIFETIME achievements. Schooling Non-Pro and Short Stirrup not to count.
Winning your way out – During a competitor’s first year of showing is this division, should they win 6 first place ribbons, they will be allowed to remain in the division to the end of that calendar year. In any subsequent years of competition, should they fulfil the WIN factor, they must progress to another division at the next show.
- Children’s and Adult Amateur rider designations are per EC rules, guidelines and limitations.
- Courses are made of hunter style jumps and set at a height not to except two foot six inches. (2’6).
- Classes will be run per EC rules. Riders and horses may cross enter to other divisions for which they are eligible.
- Showing in this division will affect a horse’s eligibility.
- As entries warrant, Children’s and Adults may be combined.
- Jogging for soundness at the discretion of Show Management.
Low Children’s and Low Adult Hunters
This division is intended for riders who are learning how to show a hunter and are not yet ready for regular hunter divisions. There is no time limit for showing in these divisions.
- Open to all Children’s and Adult Amateur rider designations as per EC rules, guidelines, and limitations.
- Courses will be made up of hunter style jumps and set at a height not to exceed 2.9”
- Classes will be run per EC rules, guidelines, and limitations.
- Riders may NOT cross enter at the same show into any Hunter Division with heights more than 2’9” or any Jumper classes with heights more than 1.0m. Riders may compete in equitation classes where the height does not exceed 3’.
- Showing in this division will affect a horse’s eligibility.
- As entries warrant, Children’s and Adults may be combined.
- Jogging for soundness is at the discretion of Show Management.
Beginner & Low Children's/Adult Hunter Classic
The OHJA is pleased to offer a Hunter Classic for the Beginner Children’s Hunter and Adult Hunter, Low Children’s and Low Adult Hunter. Each class is to be shown over two rounds with each horse being given a numerical score; the first round to be about 12 or more fences and the second round to be held over a shortened course. The top 12 horses to return in the second round but the horses will return in the reverse order of the placing achieved in the first round. Final placings will be on the accumulated points over two rounds.
Hosted at the following competition:
- Ontario Hunter Championships
To be judged with open numerical scoring. Horses must be jogged for soundness in hand or mounted.
This class will not count towards OHJA Provincial Awards.
Ribbons and prize money to 10th. $500 in prize money from the OHJA will be awarded through 10th as follows:
1st - $125.00, 2nd - $100.00, 3rd - $80.00, 4th - 50.00, 5th - $40.00, 6th - $30.00, 7th - $25.00, 8th - $25.00, 9th - $15.00 and 10th - $15.00
Canadian Hunter Derby Series High Point Awards
The OHJA is proud to partner with the existing Canadian Hunter Derby Series to offer high point rider bonuses for the top placing Junior/Amateur rider, and top placing professional rider in both the 3ft and 3'6'' sections with over $17,500 of bonuses and prizes throughout the season.
This class is meant to improve the skills of horse and rider at more challenging and technical hunter derby courses.
This high-performance hunter class presents competitors an opportunity to best showcase the talents of horse and rider over a challenging course with high performance, handy and “take your own line” options.
The class combines a Hunter Classic with a Handy Hunter class in a one round format.
At select shows, the top placing Junior/Amateur rider and top placing professional rider from each section will each receive a $125 cash bonus. The owner of the winning entry will also receive a prize generously provided by the OHJA,
Please see individual show schedules for dates.
Derby Finals: The OHJA will be awarding a $2,000 cash bonus to the top placing Junior/Amateur rider and top placing professional rider in both the 3ft and 3'6'' sections of the Canadian Hunter Derby at the Ontario Hunter Championships at CEP. The owner of the winning entries for each height section will also receive a prize generously provided by the OHJA.
Hunter Derby Course Walks
The OHJA is pleased to support Canadian Hunter Derby Series and has arranged the opportunity to walk the Derby course with an OHJA Professional Rider/Trainer. They will provide educational commentary, explain the rules and scoring during the CHDS course walk. You will also have a chance to learn about the different jumps on course. Get the inside turn on the Derby courses by following the OHJA!
This program will run at the following competitions:
- The Sportsmans Cup & Great Pony Challenge, June 28 - July 2, 2023 at Caledon Equestrian Park
- Ten Sixty Stables Welcome, July 7 - 9, 2023 at Ten Sixty Stables
- Ottawa Summer Tournaments II, July 12 - 16, 2023 at Wesley Clover Parks
- Major League Showjumping CSI5*/CSI2*, August 16 - 20, 2023 at Angelstone
This is not a class and does not count for points or have a year-end award.
The OHJA Young Hunter Development Series
The OHJA is committed to developing young hunters in Ontario and we are pleased to bring you the OHJA Young Hunter Development Series. The intention is to provide classes specifically for Young Hunters. These classes will give Ontario breeders and Ontario owners an opportunity to network at Gold Competitions in order to develop and market their young horses and breeding programs.
This program will run at the following competitions:
- Ottawa Summer Tournaments II, July 12 - 16, 2023 at Wesley Clover Parks
- The International, July 26 - 30, 2023 at Caledon Equestrian Park
- The Hunter Spectacular, September 6 - 10, 2023 at Angelstone
Class Specifications:
A model, under saddle and over fences class restricted to Young Horses ages 3 to 5 years old. The Model Under saddle and over fences class are run and judged separately-scoring is not cumulative. Horses are not required to compete in all three classes.
Model: shown in hand; to be judged on conformation, manners, way of moving and soundness. 50% on movement and 50% on conformation.
Under Saddle: To be shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring; no hand-gallop; to be judged on conformation, manners, way of moving and soundness. 60% on movement and 40% on confirmation.
Over Fences: The course will be set at 2'3” with no more than 8 jumps. To be judged on their jumping style, manners and way of going. Horse Show venue may run a closed card schooling class prior the over fences portion.
Eligibility:
Registration for these classes must include valid copy of horse’s papers for proof of age (Tattooed thoroughbreds without papers are eligible when a letter provided from a vet confirming the tattoo number and corresponding year of birth). Papers may be randomly checked by a show vet.
Not open to ponies. Junior B and C riders must not ride or handle stallions per EC rule G105.
Baby Green status is not affected by participating in the over fences portion of this program.
All entries must have valid current OHJA memberships for both owner and rider/handler.
Ribbons and prize money to 8th for the 3 classes:
Model $500, U/S $500 and O/F $500
1/ $130, 2/$100, 3/$80,4/$65, 5/$50, 6/$35, 7/$20, 8/$20
Champion and Reserve Champion will be awarded by the OHJA. We are happy to partner with the Canadian Sport Horse Association www.c-s-h-a.org/ who have generously sponsored a cooler for our Champion and prize for Reserve Champion at each event. Champion and Reserve Champion will be awarded based on most points accumulated across the classes being offered. Tie breaker for Champion and Reserve Champion as follows: 1st tie breaker will be most points o/f, 2nd tie breaker will be most points u/s, 3rd tie breaker will be most points in the model.
All entries must have valid current OHJA memberships for both owner and rider/handler. There are no OHJA Year End Awards for this program.
OHJA Young Hunter Development Final
Hosted at the Ontario Hunter Finals @ CEP October 11 - 15, 2023
Finals are open to those that enter, but the OHJA reserves the right to restrict the Finals to entries that have shown in at least 1 Young Hunter Development Class during the regular season.
Ribbons and prize money to 8th for the 3 classes:
Model $500, U/S $500 and O/F $500
1/ $130, 2/$100, 3/$80,4/$65, 5/$50, 6/$35, 7/$20, 8/$20
Champion and Reserve Champion will be awarded and generously supported by the Canadian Sport Horse Association.
Eligibility criteria remains the same for the Finals as the Series.
OHJA Emerging Rider Medal
The OHJA Emerging Rider Hunter Medal provides riders the opportunity to experience equitation classes and help spark an interest and passion for equitation.
This new Medal class will be offered to the following divisions:
- Short Stirrup
- Beginner Children’s / Adult
- and Children’s Pony.
Riders competing in the Small, Medium or Large Pony GP Medal are not eligible to participate.
This class will be run concurrently with the regular division classes. Course will include one of the following tests: halt, trot fence, rollback, or a bending line.
The top 20 riders from each division will be invited to the Finals during the Ontario Hunter Finals, October 11 - 15, 2023 at Caledon Equestrian Park. The OHJA reserves the right to extend entries to more than 20 riders.
Points to be collected as per EC rules in the qualifiers only.
The Finals will not count for points.
This program will run at the following competitions:
- The National, June 21 - 25, 2023 at Caledon Equestrian Park
- Ten Sixty Stables Welcome, July 7 - 9, 2023 at Ten Sixty Stables
- Ottawa Summer Tournaments II, July 12 - 16, 2023 at Wesley Clover Parks
- Ten Sixty Stables Classic, July 12 - 16, 2023 at Ten Sixty Stables
- Caledon Summer CSI2*, July 19 - 23, 2023 at Caledon Equestrian Park
- Labour Day Classic, August 30 - September 3, 2023 at Angelstone
- The Hunter Spectacular, September 6 - 10, 2023 at Angelstone
- The Outdoor Finale, September 27 - October 1, 2023 at Caledon Equestrian Park
OHJA 2'6'' Jr/Am Hunter
New for 2023!
As a direct result of OHJA member feedback and collaboration with horse show venues we are pleased to present a pilot program for 2023 of a 2’6” Hunter division for Junior and Amateurs.
Open to all Junior and Adult Amateur rider designations as per EC rules, guidelines, and limitations.
Courses will be made up of hunter style jumps and set at a height not to exceed 2ft6”. To be shown over a course of at least eight (8) fences. Classes will be run per EC rules.
Horse/Rider combinations may not cross enter any division requiring them to jump higher than 2’9”. Showing in this division will affect a horse’s eligibility. Ribbons to 8th. No jogging required.
Entries must be an OHJA member. Points will be tracked for OHJA Year End Awards.
Check individual venue prize lists to see where this division will be offered. Participation will determine if this becomes a permanent program.
2'6'' Jr/Am Hunter FAQs
Q: Can I show my Large Pony in the OHJA 2'6" Jr/Am Hunter Division?
A: No, ponies are not eligible to show in this division.
Q: Can I show one horse in the OHJA 2'6" Jr/Am Hunter Division and another different horse in the Adult Amateur Hunters? >br> A: Yes, the rider is eligible to show a different horse or pony in any other division for which the rider and that other horse/pony is eligible per EC rules.
Q: Can I show the same horse in the OHJA 2'6" Jr/Am Hunter Division and the Children's Hunters?
A: No, you cannot show the same horse in the OHJA 2'6" Jr/Am Hunter Division and any other division requiring the horse to jump higher than 2'9".
Q: Can I show my horse in the Amateur Owner Hunters and a different horse I don't own in the OHJA 2'6" Jr/Am Hunter Division?
A: No, Amateur Owner riders may only show horses they own (exception Amateur flat classes and Adult Jumper classes). See EC rule G310.3.
Q: I am a Junior Rider; can I show a horse in the OHJA 2'6" Jr/Am Hunter Division and show the same horse in the Low Children's Hunter.
A: Yes, the same horse/rider combination may compete in the OHJA 2'6" Jr/Am Hunter Division and any other division where the fences do not exceed 2'9".
Q: Can I show my horse in the OHJA 2'6" Jr/Am Hunter Division in the current year and maintain Baby Green status for the following year?
A: No, a Baby Green Hunter cannot have competed in an EC sanctioned Gold or Silver competition (or equivalent) in any class requiring the entry to jump 2’6” (.75m) or higher prior to January 1st of the current year.
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