CEO's Blog – Your Direct Line to Your Association!

Be sure to check out the new USHJA CEO Blog. Shelby French welcomes your feedback and questions. This tool is exclusively for members and you will need your member number to register. Once registered select a user id and password. When posting comments and questions only the user id you have selected will be shown.

"As your CEO, I think that you should get to know me, ask me questions or bring up issues that you feel need to be discussed and feel like you can share your opinions with me. Hence, I am now a blogger! I look forward to hearing from you."

— Shelby French, USHJA CEO

Last Chance for WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular Tables!

The World Championship Hunter Rider Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular Week in Wellington, FL got underway on February 15th. The very best in show hunters are on center stage and riders are competing to qualify for several awards and hunter classics, the highlight of which will be the Palm Beach Hunter Classic Spectacular, to be held in honor of Peter Wetherill, Saturday February 18, under the lights of the International Arena.

The class is returning to its original format where Professionals, Juniors and Amateurs will compete head to head for the coveted title of the 2012 Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular Champion! As always, the International Club will be full of food and fun, complete with a Calcutta, champagne toast, cocktails and dinner. Tables of six are still available for purchase.

All proceeds benefit the USHJA Foundation which supports programs such as the Horseman's Assistance Fund and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Please visit the USHJA Foundation website to be part of this exciting evening and to reserve your table now! For more information please contact Whitney Allen at 859.225.6707.

Special Member Advertising Rates for In Stride

Congratulate your horse or rider in the April issue of In Stride with discounted rates for all USHJA members. Please reserve your ad by February 28th. Contact Hunter Messineo at 410.798.5277.

2012 USHJA Essex Classics Hunterdon Cup Location Announced

The USHJA is excited to announce that the 2012 USHJA/Essex Classics Hunterdon Equitation Cup Classic will be held during the USEF Junior Hunter Championships East Coast, which will take place July 24-25, 2012 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

The Hunterdon Cup is a unique equitation event that encompasses both the meticulousness of equitation and the handy skills of the hunters. It is open to any rider that is an active USHJA junior member and has won a USEF Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, or WIHS Classic at a competition starting between July 2 – July 1 of the qualifying year.

Emerging Athletes Applicants – Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Now Available

The 2012 EAP application process requires each applicant to pass the Level One USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, with a score of 80% or better, to be considered for participation in a Regional Clinic. The Horsemanship Quiz Challenge is now available. Applicants may complete the quiz after submitting their EAP application.

Registration for USHJA's newest program, the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge presented by Sweet Briar College, is open, so register now and be sure to meet the HQC Ambassadors. The HQC educates and recognizes young equestrians who have exceptional horsemanship knowledge. The goal of this program is to ignite passion for advancing horsemanship education and make it an integral part of equestrian life. Any current USHJA junior or amateur member, 21 years of age or younger (according to USEF rules), is encouraged to participate in the program, regardless of his competition achievements.

Interested riders also have the exciting opportunity to join the ranks of the talented EAP Alumni who have reached their goal of excelling within the sport, by participating in one of the 10 Regional Clinics being offered in various locations throughout the country. Some of the country's top clinicians and stable managers guide riders through the four–day clinics, which include flatwork, gymnastics, course work and an intensive stable management curriculum. Sixteen riders will be selected to advance to the National Training Session and compete for the title of the EAP National Champion and a $3,000 grant for advanced training. Please check the EAP Calendar for the Regional Clinic in your area.

Riders interested in participating in the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program must submit the EAP Application and required documents to USHJA no later than the respective application deadline.

Regional Clinic Application Deadlines:

• Clinics held in June – Deadline April 1, 2012
• Clinics held in July – Deadline May 1, 2012
• Clinics held in August – Deadline June 1, 2012

For full EAP application details click here or contact Jennifer Kisner at 859.225.6705.

Visit the USHJA website for more information about the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge. If you have any questions, please contact Carrie Vaught at 859.225.6703.

New Rule Changes All Members Should Be Aware Of

As part of USHJA's ongoing effort to keep members informed, please take the time to visit the USHJA's rule page and read about the new rules and changes passed at the January meeting of the USEF Executive Committee. USHJA is dedicated to making this new rule page a resource for the membership to get information on new rules, the rule proposal process, the rule approval process and other helpful information regarding rules effecting hunters and jumpers.

Don't Forget — Upcoming 2012 USHJA Zone Elections

In order to vote in the upcoming Zone Committee elections a member must be active by March 1, 2012 with a senior life, senior active or senior associate membership, must have been a resident of the Zone for at least 350 days immediately preceding the date of the Zone Committee election AND be declared hunter or jumper. If you are not sure of your designation or would like to change your designation you can contact membership coordinators Christina Murphy or Kim Knotek

Also note that Zone Committee Nominations from the membership opened February 1, 2012 and close on April 1, 2012. Nominated members must be in good standing with the USHJA as a senior life, senior active, or senior associate member and must have been a resident of the Zone for at least 350 days immediately preceding the date of the Zone Committee election AND be declared hunter or jumper. Nomination Forms can be found here and self nominations are allowed.

New USHJA Committee Interest Form Online

In the interest of creating greater opportunity for our members to become involved in the governance of our sport, the USHJA has developed a new committee interest form that allows members to better express their desire to serve on committees, their areas of interest and their experience. This will be an important component as the association develops a new governance model providing a greater balance of representation of USHJA's hunter and jumper constituents. USHJA is launching this new online form early to ensure members are aware of how to communicate their interest and have the time to submit it prior to committees being reseated at the end of this competition year. There are approximately 500 volunteers that serve in the USHJA governance structure and while that is a large number of people, USHJA cannot guarantee a committee seat for everyone who expresses an interest in serving. To obtain Committee Interest forms please visit the USHJA web site.

USHJA Announces Small Hunter Section

The USHJA is excited to announce a new Small Hunter Section that became available with the start of the 2012 competition year, with a goal to showcase smaller horses and give them national recognition. Professional, junior and amateur riders are eligible to compete over 3' fences on horses that measure over 14.2 hands but do not exceed 15.2 hands and an 1/2 inch. Horse of the Year awards will be presented by USHJA at the zone level and USEF at the national level.

Click here or contact the USHJA Pony Hunter Breeding Task Force for more information.

2012 USHJA Trainer Certification Program Clinics

Attendance at a recognized USHJA Trainer Certification Program Clinic will count towards the enrollment requirements for the Trainer Certification Program.

Click Here for a complete list of TCP Clinics.

USHJA 2012 Directory of Clinics

The USHJA Directory of Clinics is dedicated to providing clinics throughout the country to the members of USHJA. For a complete list clinics visit the Directory of Clinics. For questions please contact Carrie Vaught.