Reminder – 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 are open as of 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.

Horsemanship Quiz Challenge

It's finally here! Registration for USHJA's newest program, the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge presented by Sweet Briar College, is now open so register now and spread the word. 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.

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.

2012 EAP National Training Session Dates & Location Announced

USHJA and the Emerging Athletes Committee are proud to announce the 2012 Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session will be hosted by Carl and Rush Weeden of Brookwood Farms on November 15-18, 2012, at Fields and Fences in Gurnee, IL. Fields and Fences is a premiere equestrian facility which hosts various levels of clinics and competitions throughout the year. Located within a beautiful 600-acre horse community, Fields and Fences boasts two heated indoor arenas, heated viewing rooms and numerous amenities for both horse and rider, making it an ideal setting for the National Training Session. USHJA would like to thank Anita Schadeck and Jim Robers for generously donating the use of their facility for this exciting event

From an initial field of hundreds of hopeful young equestrians, 16 riders will be invited to participate in the National Training Session. Olympic Gold Medalist Peter Wylde will serve as the lead clinician again in 2012, joined by stable managers and EAP Committee members to determine the overall USHJA EAP National Champion, who will be awarded a $3,000 Grant to be applied toward the cost of advanced training.

Applications for the Emerging Athletes Program are open!

Regional Clinic Application Deadlines:

To be considered to compete for the national title of EAP Champion, each rider must first participate in one of the 10 Regional Clinics being offered in various locations throughout the country during the months of June, July and August. The four-day clinics will be taught by some of the country's top clinicians and stable managers. Please check the EAP Calendar for the Regional Clinic in your area.

• 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 application details click here or contact Jennifer Kisner at 859.225.6705

Don't Miss Out on Getting Your Table for the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular

The World Championship Hunter Rider Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular Week takes places February 15-19, during week six of the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival. Throughout that week, the very best in show hunters will take center stage and riders will compete 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 now 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.

Zone 1 – Young Rider Development Class

The Zone 1 Young Rider Development Class is a series of 5 jumper classes (1.20-1.30m) with the goal of promoting the NAJYR program and to create incentives for aspiring young jumper riders. This series will award a total of $2000 in bonus prize money to the top six Young Rider eligible junior or amateur riders between the ages of 14 to 21 from Zone 1, irrespective of class placings. We will follow the last class with an educational demonstration about different aspects of High Performance Show Jumping as well as an award presentation to the high money winner from the series. For more information please contact Greg Prince.

Participating events:

• Fairfield – June 19-23
• Vermont Summer Festival – July 4-8
• Manchester Summer Festival – July 11-15
• North Hampton Hunter & Jumper – August 9-12
• Fieldstone Summer Showcase – August 21-25

2012 Updates for NAJYRC

Athletes wishing to be considered for a 2012 Zone Junior or Young Rider Show Jumping Team for the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) must complete and return the application no later than June 8th. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applications must include an application fee of $20, be postmarked, hand-delivered or faxed on or prior to deadline. There are separate applications for the Junior and Young Rider Teams.

Save $10 per application by completing your application online. Online applications are updated immediately in the standings and email confirmation is sent immediately. Click on the "USEF LOGIN" at the top right of the USEF homepage at www.usef.org. Online applications also have an extended deadline of June 15, 2012. The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY will again host the 2012 NAJYRC.

Click Here for more.

USHJA Committee Interest Form Online Now

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. As the association develops a new governance model providing a greater balance of representation of USHJA's hunter and jumper constituents this will be an important component. 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 learn more please visit the USHJA web site.

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.