For Hunters and Jumpers, both the rider and the horse’s owner must be MHJA Competing Members before entering the ring at an MHJA-recognized show.
This is the most common reason points do not record.

According to the 2025 YEA Program:

“For Hunter and Jumper classes, the owner of the horse or pony, and the rider (if different) must be competing member(s) of the MHJA prior to the time of competition.”

For Equitation, only the rider must be a competing member.

If your lease is officially recorded with USEF, the lessee replaces the owner for membership purposes.

This means:

• The lessee must be an MHJA competing member.

• The actual owner does not need a membership.

From the 2025 YEA Program:

“…unless the lease is recorded with USEF, in which case only the lessee (and rider, if different) needs to be a member of MHJA.”

If your lease is not recorded with USEF → the actual owner must be a member for points to count.

No. MHJA does not award points for any Classics, including:

• Hunter Classics

• Jumper Classics

• Section-specific Classics

From the 2025 YEA Program:

“Points accrued from general or section-specific Classics will not count towards YEA.”

Points depend on how many entries were in the class.
MHJA uses a 10–15–20 point scale:

• 0–9 entries → 10 points for 1st

• 10–19 entries → 15 points for 1st

• 20+ entries → 20 points for 1st

Additional placings follow the full table in the Year-End Awards Program.

Because MHJA awards points based on our official Year-End Award Sections, not the exact class names on individual show bills.

Shows may combine or rename sections.

Example:

• A rider enters Starter Equitation

• MHJA does not award Starter Equitation separately

• Those points apply to 2’3” Equitation, which is the recognized MHJA section

Yes — and this is a common source of confusion. Some MHJA sections are age-restricted, even if the horse show allows all ages to enter. Points will only count if the rider meets MHJA’s age requirement for that section.

From MHJA Class Specifications:

“Age is determined as of December 1 and held throughout the competition year.”

This means:

• A rider who turns 18 by December 1 is considered an adult for the entire show year.

• If a rider enters a youth section they are too old for, MHJA will not record points — even if the show allows the entry.

Sections impacted include:

• Short/Long Stirrup

• Children’s Hunters

• Junior/Adult Equitation splits

No. From the 2025 YEA Program:

“Medal classes do not count towards Equitation Awards.”

MHJA awards points only in the officially published Year-End Award Sections across:

• Equitation

• Hunters

• Jumpers

• Opportunity / Outreach

This list updates annually.

Year-to-date points are posted on the MHJA website.

If you notice a discrepancy, contact the Points Committee: