3 Tier System
Important Update: on Jan 12, 2020, the OHJA membership voted for a change that may affect your choice of system for the 2020 competition year. Regional system members may now receive points for the first three rated shows held in Washington state each year. See the chart below to better understand which system fits your show plans for 2020
What is OHJA’s three-tiered point system?
The OHJA has a three-tiered system for accumulating points for year-end awards. The three “systems” are Local, Regional, and Open. Each system has rules governing how and where points are accumulated. The concept behind the three-tiered system is that riders competing in non-USEF-rated shows are not competing for year-end points against riders showing in multiple states on the USEF “A” circuit. A rider must designate the system in which he/she will participate at the start of the competition year. Likewise, a horse owner/lessee must designate the system in which his/her horse will participate at the start of the competition year.
- You and/or your horse will not accumulate points for shows that fall outside of the system that you have signed up for, so it is very important for riders and trainers to select the correct system for the rider’s and the horse’s plans for the competition year.
- A rider and a horse may change systems once the show year has started, but only under limited circumstances, and accumulated points are unlikely to follow.
- It is the rider’s responsibility (and the horse owner/lessee’s) to make sure that he/she is signed up for the correct system before showing so that the rider and/or horse accumulate points for the shows attended.
- Horses and riders can participate in different systems, so choose the appropriate system based on your show schedule and the division(s) in which you and your horse will participate. The rider’s system determines where the rider can accumulate equitation points; the horse’s system determines where the horse can accumulate hunter and jumper points.
Which system should I join? In what system should I register my horse?
The system you join and register your horse should be based on a discussion with your trainer and your plans for the show season. If you expect to compete only or primarily at OHJA Outreach shows, then the Local System may be the best fit for you. If you expect to compete at USEF-rated shows anywhere outside of Oregon, then the Open System may be best fit for you. If you fall somewhere in between, then the Regional System may be the best fit for you.
Show Location and Rating
| Show Location and Rating | Points Accumulate for the Local System | Points Accumulate for the Regional System | Points Accumulate for the Open System |
| OHJA Outreach Shows in Oregon and contiguous counties? | Yes | Yes, for the first 3 OHJA Outreach shows at which you accumulate points during the show year | No |
| USEF shows (AA, A, B, or C rated) in Oregon and contiguous counties? | Yes, for the first 3 shows at which you accumulate points during the show year | Yes | Yes |
| USEF shows (AA, A, B, or C rated) in Washington? | No | Yes, for the first 3 at which you accumulate points during the show year | Yes |
| USEF rated shows nationwide and Canada | No (unless the show is in a contiguous county - see above) | No (unless the show is in a contiguous county, or first 3 shows a year in WA - see above) | Yes |
Can I change my and my horse’s system after I start showing?
Once you have joined or renewed your membership and your horse’s registration for the competition year and started showing, you may choose to move up to a higher-tier system, but not a lower one. For example, you may move from Local to Regional or Open, but you cannot move from Open to Regional or Local.
If you change systems you must update your membership profile, any applicable horse registration profile, and pay the difference between the membership, and any horse registration fees, to complete a system change for you and/or your horse.
- When you change from Local to Regional after your third USEF A or AA-rated show, you don’t need OHJA Board approval to keep your points, but you still need to completely update your system and pay to complete the change.
- In all other cases, your existing points in the lower-tier system will NOT carry forward with you to the new, higher-tier system without a compelling reason (something more than a mistake, miscommunication with your trainer/client, or misunderstanding of OHJA rules) and OHJA Board approval.
If I am in the Local System can I compete in OHJA Medal Finals?
Yes. If you qualify for the OHJA Medal Finals, you can compete in them regardless of the rating of the show hosting the medal finals. Plus, Local System members may accumulate points at the show hosting the OHJA Medal Finals as a fourth USEF-rated show if they compete in the OHJA Medal Finals.
Can I show at shows outside of my system?
Yes. Any rider or horse may always show at any show, but the system in which the rider or horse is registered determines whether the rider or horse accumulates year end points for participation in the show.
What system can I join if I don’t live in Oregon or its contiguous counties?
Non-residents may join only the Open system, not the Regional or Local Systems.
How should I register if I only want to ride in OHJA Medal classes to qualify for the OHJA Medal Finals?
If you only want to ride in OHJA medal classes (and not earn any equitation, hunter, or jumper points) to qualify for and ride in the OHJA Medal Finals, then you don’t need to register in ANY of three systems (Local, Regional, or Open). Instead, you can join as an Affiliate member, which allows you to accumulate points only in OHJA Medal classes.
NOTE: Non-Oregon members must attend three or more shows in order to be eligible for a year-end award.
† B and C rated shows are now known as “Regional I Hunter,” “Regional II Hunter,” and “Jumper Rating 1” shows. A and AA rated shows are now known as “National Hunter,” “Premier Hunter,” and “Jumper Rating 2” or higher shows.
†† Counties contiguous to Oregon include: in Washington, Wahkia Kum, Clark County, Cowlitz, Skamania, Klickitat, Benton, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, Asotin; in Idaho,
Nez Perce, Grangeville, Adams, Washington, Payette, Canyon, Owyhee; in California, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Modoc.