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
2026 Gotham North/FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships presented by USHJA
Great Lakes Equestrian Festival
Traverse City, Michigan | July 28- August 2, 2026
Important Dates Zones 1-10:
Please note the Qualifying Period for the 2026 North American Youth Championships for Jumping will begin September 1, 2025 and conclude May 31, 2026.
September 1, 2025 - start of qualifying period
January 15, 2026 - USEF NAYC online applications open
May 31, 2026 - end of qualifying period
June 1, 2026 - application deadline
June 8, 2026 - last day to earn and submit Certificates of Capability
2026 Standings Lists
*please note 2026 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 12 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/team-usa/sport-excellence-education/clean-sport