Program Overview
The FEI Jumping North American Youth Championship for Children, Pre-Junior, Junior, and Young Rider categories provides an exciting opportunity for athletes in these age categories to compete against their peers in a Championship format similar to that of that of international senior Championships like the Olympic Games. Competition in each age category is held over the course of multiple days and features both a Team Competition, with Teams fielded by Zone, and an Individual Competition.
The categories are as follows:
Children's Championship (NAChC): athletes FEI ages 12 - 14, fences up to 1.25m
Pre-Junior Championship (NAPJC): athletes FEI ages 14 -16, fences up to 1.30m
Junior Championship (NAJC): athletes FEI ages, 14 - 18, fences up to 1.40m
Young Rider Championship (NAYRC): athletes FEI ages 16 - 21, fences up to 1.50m

2027 Gotham North/FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships presented by USHJA
Great Lakes Equestrian Festival
Traverse City, Michigan | August 3-8, 2027
Important Dates Zones 1-10:
Please note the Qualifying Period for the 2027 North American Youth Championships for Jumping will begin September 1, 2026 and conclude June 6, 2027.
- September 1, 2026 - start of qualifying period
- January 15, 2027 - USEF NAYC online applications open
- June 6, 2027 - end of qualifying period and application deadline
- June 14, 2027 - last day to earn and submit Certificates of Capability
2027 Standings Lists
*please note 2027 Standings List calculation: standings will be based on the athlete/horse combination’s best twelve (12) competitions (two highest prize money classes per athlete/horse combination will be pointed per competition) * exception Zone 10 best ten (10) results based on Zone 10 NAYC Point Chart.
Questions? Contact Erin Keating, USEF Director, Jumping Development Programs, at [email protected].
As an FEI athlete you are subject to Clean Sport anti-doping regulations for both your horses and yourself as an athlete. You and your horses are very likely to be tested. It is your responsibility to ensure you follow these regulations and a guide can be found at: https://www.usef.org/us-equestrian-teams/sport-excellence-education/clean-sport
