Lexington, Ky. - The best junior hunters from across the country prepare to compete for top honors in the 2017 USEF 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.

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, Reserve Grand Champion, and Best Mare will be crowned for both coasts.

The festivities begin with the USEF Junior Hunter National Championship - West Coast at the Showpark of San Diego in Del Mar, Calif., July 24-25. For this year’s championship, riders will compete over courses designed by Scott Starnes (Bend, Ore.) in front of judges Chance Arakelian (Rancho Sante Fe, Calif.), Kim Dorfman (Aiken, S.C.), Gary Duffy (Palm Beach, Fla.), and Robin Swinderman Mitchell (Morriston, Fla.). The competition then moves east to HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, N.Y., July 31 – August 1. Ralph Caristo (Saugerties, N.Y.), Todd Karn (Fayetteville, N.Y.), and Keri Kampsen (Wellington, Fla.) will judge the over fences phases and Karen Healey (Moorpark, Calif.), Jimmy Torano (Wellington, Fla.), and Andrea Wells (Morriston, Fla.) will judge the under saddle phase of the USEF Junior Hunter National Championship - East Coast, with courses designed by Rian Beals (Saugerties, N.Y.).

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Hunterdon Equitation Cup Classic presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College will also take place during the USEF Junior National Hunter Championships on both coasts.

USEF Network will live stream the USEF Junior Hunter National Championship - East Coast, July 31 – August 1.

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