Dates, Locations, and Clinicians Announced for 2024 MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Sessions

Applications Now Open Through April 1

Lexington, Ky.—Feb. 9, 2024—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce dates, locations, and clinicians for the 2024 MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Sessions. This year's 10 clinics will feature mounted sessions led by Carly Anthony, Jeff Cook, Cynthia Hankins, Karen Healey, and Julie Winkel. Chris Eadline, Jennifer Fessler, Tracy Forman, Julia Hogan, Colleen Reed, and Nanci Snyder will lead stable management sessions. Applications are now open and will close on April 1.

This year's Regional Training Sessions will be held at the following locations:

• June 5-9 at Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colo.
• June 5-9 at Paso Robles Horse Park in Paso Robles, Calif.
• June 10-14 at Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas
• June 17-21 at Centenary University in Long Valley, N.J. 
• June 26-30 at Fox Lea Farm in Venice, Fla. 
• June 26-30 at Midway University in Midway, Ky. 
• July 10-14 at Elvenstar Farm in Moorpark, Calif. 
• July 16-20 at Saint Mary of the Woods College in West Terre Haute, Ind.
• July 17-21 at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass.
• July 24-28 at Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Va. 

The Emerging Athletes Program is open to Junior, Amateur, and Professional members 12 years of age or older as of December 1 of the current competition year and is offered at 0.90m and 1.0m fence heights. Riders interested in participating must complete and return the application, associated fee, and three letters of recommendation to USHJA by April 1. Those wanting to participate in the mounted session or the stable management session will need to complete the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Level One Quiz with a score of 80% or higher before the April 1 application deadline. 

Riders accepted into the Emerging Athletes Program begin by participating in a five-day Regional Training Session, during which they have the opportunity to work with top riding and stable manager clinicians. Riders provide their own horses for the Regional Training Session and provide all care themselves.

Once the Regional Training Sessions conclude, 16 riders and a select number of stable managers will be invited to attend the National Training Session based on their riding, stable management skills, and potential shown during their Regional Training Session. Only members between 12 and 25 years of age as of December 1 of the current competition year are eligible for the National Training Session.

Each USHJA Zone offers a minimum of two grants to EAP participants to help offset the cost of attending a Regional Training Session or the National Training Session. For more information, visit ushja.org/zones, select your home zone, then click on "Grants and Scholarships." EAP Grant applications must be completed by April 1.

The Stable Management Trainee Program offers a non-riding component to a select number of participants who are interested in learning more about the behind-the-scenes management of top-level equine athletes and competition barns. Participants will shadow the stable management clinician at their selected Regional Training Session and receive more intensive instruction on horse care and management, providing an immersive learning experience on managing a barn and competition horses under the guidance of some of the top stable managers in our sport. 

Members interested in the Stable Management Trainee program must submit an application, associated fee, and three recommendations no later than April 1 to be considered.

For more information about the MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program, visit ushja.org/EAP.

Photos: Cady Voyer Creative, Rachel Milewski/USHJA