Ratings, Memberships and Affiliations
Understanding rated equestrian competition in the hunter jumper sport
Benefits of Rated Competition
Rated equestrian events produced by Cascade Horse Shows meet a high bar for competition, fairness, safety, and quality of experience.
We do this in part by adhering to standards set forth by the relevant national governing bodies with which we are affiliated. Every rated Cascade Horse Shows event is licensed by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and sanctioned by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA). This assures you that each of our shows adheres to professional standards.
Confused about memberships in the sport’s various governing bodies and what is required to participate in our shows? Here’s what you need to know.
United States Equestrian Federation
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), also known as US Equestrian, is the national governing body for equestrian sport in the United States. US Equestrian licenses equestrian competitions of all levels across the United States, including our events at Cascade Horse Shows. US Equestrian trains, selects, and funds the United States Equestrian Team, which consistently wins medals at the highest level of international competition, including the Olympic Games.
The USEF provides governorship and sets standards for more than a dozen nationally and internationally recognized equestrian disciplines, including Hunters and Jumpers.
Membership in the USEF provides many benefits and is a great way to support equestrian sport. USEF membership is required for participation in our rated events.
US Hunter Jumper Association
The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is the US Equestrian-recognized national affiliate for the Hunter and Jumper disciplines. The USHJA is a competition-based sport organization that serves its members through educational programs, awards and recognition, communication and rules.
The USHJA sets forth rules and regulations that apply to Hunter and Jumper competition in the United States, which includes our classes such as the USHJA National Hunter Derby.
The USHJA also operates a number of programs and competitions, in which horses and riders accumulate points throughout the show season, culminating in regional and national championship awards. All rated Cascade Horse Shows events allow participants to accrue points toward USHJA national and USHJA Zone 9 regional championships.
As with US Equestrian, USHJA membership is required for participation in our rated horse shows.
Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI)
Founded in 1921, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) is the world governing body for Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, and several other disciplines. It establishes the regulations and approves equestrian schedules for Championships, Continental and Regional Games as well as the Olympic & Paralympic Games.
Show jumping competition, as sanctioned by the USHJA and practiced by Cascade Horse Shows, is one of 3 equestrian Olympic sports governed by FEI globally.
US Equestrian is a national affiliate of the FEI. Membership in the FEI is not required to participate in any of our events.
Washington State Hunter Jumper Association
Founded in 1952, the Washington State Hunter Jumper Association (WSHJA) is the local state-level affiliate of US Equestrian and of the USHJA. It is a membership-based not-for-profit association that organizes an annual awards program for its members competing in rated competition. WSHJA also operates several horse shows each year in Monroe, WA which are open to its members.
Did you know? WSHJA members can qualify for WSHJA award points when competing in Cascade Horse Shows events; for more details, contact your WSHJA representative.
WSHJA membership is not required to participate in any Cascade Horse Shows event; however, WSHJA members can earn points towards their year-end awards at our shows.
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