Lexington, Ky. - The best junior riders from across the country prepare to compete for top honors in the 2016 US Junior Hunter National Championships. The championships will take place on both the East and West Coasts for the 3’6” and 3’3” Junior Hunter, with the riders separated into 15 & Under and 16-17 sections, as well as Small Junior Hunter and Large Junior Hunter. The riders will compete in three phases: Classic Round, Under Saddle, and Handy Hunter. The Under Saddle phase counts for 20% of the rider's overall score, while both the Classic Round and Handy Hunter count for 40%. Ribbons will be awarded after each phase in the various sections, and overall winners will be named at the end of the competition. Finally, a Grand Champion and Reserve Champion will be crowned for both coasts.

The festivities begin with the US Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast in Devon, Pa., July 11-12. For this year’s championship, a record number of riders will compete over courses designed by Skip Bailey (Wellington, Fla.) in front of judges Linda Andrisani (Wellington, Fla.), Holly Orlando (Wellington, Fla.), and James Toon (South Salem, N.Y.). The competition then moves west to the Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, Calif., July 25-26. Michael Page (North Salem, N.Y.), Bobbie Reber (Langley, BC), and Jim Zulia (Wellington, Fla.) will judge the West Coast's riders throughout the US Junior Hunter National Championship West Coast, with courses designed by Joe Lombardo (Temecula, Calif.).

The USHJA Hunterdon Equitation Cup Classic presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College will return to the US Junior National Hunter Championship East Coast this year. Additionally, the US Junior Hunter National Championship West Coast will host the USHJA Hunterdon Equitation Cup Classic for the first time.

Support for the East Coast event is provided by Radwanski, the USHJA Zone III Hunter Committee, and Ruth Ecklin. Support for the West Coast is provided by Magnolia Farms/The Stuart Family, Mountain Home Stables, Rancho del Cielo Grande, and the Rubin Family.

USEF Network will live stream the US Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast, July 11-12. Check out the schedule and watch live.

Find out more information about the US Junior Hunter National Championships.