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United States Hunter Jumper Association Inc

EIN 80-0080008 · Lexington, KY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE USHJA IS TO UNIFY AND REPRESENT THE HUNTER AND JUMPER DISCIPLINES OF EQUESTRIAN SPORT THROUGH EDUCATION, RECOGNITION AND SPORT PROGRAMS.

Income
$9.9 million
Spending
$10.1 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
14.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 63%
Employees
45
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$221,995, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $3.5 million spent. COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS AND AWARDS - THE USHJA OFFERS A VARIETY OF COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE THE HUNTER / JUMPER DISCIPLINE, RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT, AND ENCOURAGE FURTHER GROWTH OF USHJA ATHLETES. WITH APPROXIMATELY 5,300 AWARDS FROM THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS, A FEW OF USHJA'S COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, OUTREACH COMPETITIONS, NATIONAL HUNTER DERBY, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HUNTER RIDER PROGRAM, EMERGING JUMPER RIDER PROGRAM, USHJA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, INTERNATIONAL HUNTER DERBY, GREEN HUNTER INCENTIVE PROGRAM, GREEN HUNTER CHALLENGE, GLADSTONE EQUITATION CUP, PONY HUNTER DERBY, SALLIE B WHEELER HUNTER BREEDING CHAMPIONSHIPS, YOUNG HUNTER PONY CHAMPIONSHIPS, YOUNG JUMPER CHAMPIONSHIPS, JUNIOR JUMPER, JUMPER CLASSIC SERIES, HUNTER SEAT MEDAL, JUMPING SEAT MEDAL, AND HUNTER TEAM CHALLENGE. COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS AND AWARDS - THE USHJA OFFERS A VARIETY OF COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE THE HUNTER / JUMPER DISCIPLINE, RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT, AND ENCOURAGE FURTHER GROWTH OF USHJA ATHLETES. WITH APPROXIMATELY 5,300 AWARDS FROM THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS, A FEW OF USHJA'S COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, OUTREACH COMPETITIONS, NATIONAL HUNTER DERBY, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HUNTER RIDER PROGRAM, EMERGING JUMPER RIDER PROGRAM, USHJA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, INTERNATIONAL HUNTER DERBY, GREEN HUNTER INCENTIVE PROGRAM, GREEN HUNTER CHALLENGE, GLADSTONE EQUITATION CUP, PONY HUNTER DERBY, SALLIE B WHEELER HUNTER BREEDING CHAMPIONSHIPS, YOUNG HUNTER PONY CHAMPIONSHIPS, YOUNG JUMPER CHAMPIONSHIPS, JUNIOR JUMPER, JUMPER CLASSIC SERIES, HUNTER SEAT MEDAL, JUMPING SEAT MEDAL, AND HUNTER TEAM CHALLENGE.
  2. $1.7 million spent. MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS - THE USHJA UTILIZES SOCIAL MEDIA, EMAIL MARKETING, NEWSLETTERS, AND MAGAZINE PUBLICATION TO PROMOTE AND KEEP MEMBERS INFORMED OF THE CURRENT AND ONGOING MATTERS RELATED TO THE HUNTER / JUMPER SPORT. THESE PUBLICATIONS KEEP MEMBERS UP-TO-DATE ON ALL TOPICS HUNTER / JUMPER, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COMPETITION NEWS, USHJA EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, INDUSTRY RELATED PRODUCTS, AND LOCAL EVENTS AND CLINICS.
  3. $1.1 million spent. GOVERNANCE - WITH OVER 50 VOLUNTEER GROUPS, THE USHJA PROVIDES GOVERNANCE, ALONG WITH SPORT ADMINISTRATION TO 55,000 PLUS MEMBERS INCLUDING PARTICIPATION IN USHJA AWARDS, ANNUAL MEETING, RULE CHANGES, AND INCLUSION IN GOVERNANCE OF THE HUNTER JUMPER SPORT. IN ADDITION TO SERVING ITS MEMBERSHIP AT A NATIONAL LEVEL, THE USHJA RECOGNIZES THAT DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS.
  4. $2.3 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS & RESOURCES, ZONES, AND SPORT ADMINISTRATION. THE USHJA OFFERS A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES, COVERING A RANGE OF SUBJECTS FROM RIDING & HORSEMANSHIP TO PROVIDING VARIOUS RESOURCES FOR OWNERS, TRAINERS, MANAGERS, AND PARENTS. JUST A FEW OF THE MANY PROGRAMS OFFERED INCLUDE THE EMERGING ATHLETES PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG RIDERS TO ADVANCE THEIR EDUCATION IN THEIR PURSUIT TO BECOME KNOWLEDGEABLE HORSEMEN WITHIN THE HUNTER/JUMPER COMMUNITY, THE HORSEMANSHIP QUIZ CHALLENGE AND ADULT HORSEMANSHIP QUIZ CHALLENGE WHICH ENCOURAGES EDUCATION AND RECOGNIZES YOUNG AND ADULT EQUESTRIANS WHO HAVE EXCEPTIONAL HORSEMANSHIP KNOWLEDGE, THE INSTRUCTOR CREDENTIAL PROGRAM DEVELOPED TO OFFER A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR RIDING INSTRUCTORS THROUGH ONLINE COURSEWORK, LIVE WORKSHOPS AND EXAMINATIONS, VARIOUS CLINICS INCLUDING THE EMERGING JUMPER RIDER GOLD STAR CLINICS THAT OFFER HORSEMANSHIP, STABLE MANAGEMENT, MOUNTED INSTRUCTION AND ADDITIONAL EDUCATION FROM TOP CLINICIANS, AND THE LICENSED OFFICALS PROGRAM WHICH COLLABORATES WITH USEF TO PROVIDE CLINICS TO MEET THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME OR MAINTAIN THE USEF LICENSED OFFICIALS STATUS. THE USHJA ZONE STRUCTURE ORGANIZES THE COUNTRY INTO 12 ZONES, WHOSE INTERESTS ARE REPRESENTED AT A NATIONAL LEVEL BY A COMMITTEE OF THEIR PEERS. THE ZONE STRUCTURE ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCALIZED EDUCATIONAL, AWARDS AND COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS. THE USHJA ALSO PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO 55,000 PLUS MEMBERS INCLUDING ZONE SPECIFIC CLASSES AND PROGRAMS, ZONE HORSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS, POINTS TRACKING, HORSE REGISTRATION AND MEMBERSHIP MANAGEMENT.
  5. OTHER PROGRAMS: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS & RESOURCES, ZONES, AND SPORT ADMINISTRATION. THE USHJA OFFERS A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES, COVERING A RANGE OF SUBJECTS FROM RIDING & HORSEMANSHIP TO PROVIDING VARIOUS RESOURCES FOR OWNERS, TRAINERS, MANAGERS, AND PARENTS. JUST A FEW OF THE MANY PROGRAMS OFFERED INCLUDE THE EMERGING ATHLETES PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG RIDERS TO ADVANCE THEIR EDUCATION IN THEIR PURSUIT TO BECOME KNOWLEDGEABLE HORSEMEN WITHIN THE HUNTER/JUMPER COMMUNITY, THE HORSEMANSHIP QUIZ CHALLENGE AND ADULT HORSEMANSHIP QUIZ CHALLENGE WHICH ENCOURAGES EDUCATION AND RECOGNIZES YOUNG AND ADULT EQUESTRIANS WHO HAVE EXCEPTIONAL HORSEMANSHIP KNOWLEDGE, THE INSTRUCTOR CREDENTIAL PROGRAM DEVELOPED TO OFFER A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR RIDING INSTRUCTORS THROUGH ONLINE COURSEWORK, LIVE WORKSHOPS AND EXAMINATIONS, VARIOUS CLINICS INCLUDING THE EMERGING JUMPER RIDER GOLD STAR CLINICS THAT OFFER HORSEMANSHIP, STABLE MANAGEMENT, MOUNTED INSTRUCTION AND ADDITIONAL EDUCATION FROM TOP CLINICIANS, AND THE LICENSED OFFICALS PROGRAM WHICH COLLABORATES WITH USEF TO PROVIDE CLINICS TO MEET THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME OR MAINTAIN THE USEF LICENSED OFFICIALS STATUS. THE USHJA ZONE STRUCTURE ORGANIZES THE COUNTRY INTO 12 ZONES, WHOSE INTERESTS ARE REPRESENTED AT A NATIONAL LEVEL BY A COMMITTEE OF THEIR PEERS. THE ZONE STRUCTURE ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCALIZED EDUCATIONAL, AWARDS AND COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS. THE USHJA ALSO PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO 55,000 PLUS MEMBERS INCLUDING ZONE SPECIFIC CLASSES AND PROGRAMS, ZONE HORSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS, POINTS TRACKING, HORSE REGISTRATION AND MEMBERSHIP MANAGEMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending November 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.