USHJA Announces 2024 Horsemanship Quiz Stable Challenge Winners

Lexington, Ky.—July 23, 2024—More than 140 equestrians representing 55 stables across nine USHJA Zones put their horsemanship knowledge to the test this year to complete the 30-day USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Stable Challenge. The USHJA congratulates the following trainers and their barns who earned the highest scores in each Zone and will receive prize packages for their barns:

• Zone 2: Clare Knapp of Crosswinds Equestrian Center
• Zone 3: Alexandra Fredal of Cranbrook Farms
• Zone 4: Mandi Callaway Powers of Copper Phoenix Equine
• Zone 6: Kathleen Caya of Integrity Farms
• Zone 7: Cory Valenzuela of Victory Stables
• Zone 10: Tara Bemoll of Bravado Farms
• Zone 11: Amy Quinlan of Amy Quinlan Equestrian

Of the winning teams, Zone 3 and Zone 7 were led by USHJA Credentialed Instructors, Zone 11 was led by a USHJA Certified Trainer, and Zone 7 and Zone 11 represented a USHJA Recognized Riding Academy. Zone 7 had the most stables represented, with 12 barns competing. The overall high-score winning team's trainer was Mandi Callaway Powers of Copper Phoenix Equine in Zone 4. 

"I am ecstatic and so very proud of my team for the focus they put into the horses and always striving to learn more," said Powers of her team's accomplishment in Zone 4. "Having an increased interest in the opportunities offered for continuing education outside of the saddle drew the interest of my team of adult and junior riders. We chose to participate in the Stable Challenge to not only gain additional knowledge but to hold ourselves accountable and put it to the test."

The Stable Challenge was designed to engage a trainer's entire barn as a team. At least three students per trainer had to complete the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Practice Quiz between June 15 and July 15, to be eligible for prizes. At the end of the 30-day challenge, the three top scores under each trainer were averaged to provide an overall score. Participants who also took the Level One and Level Two Horsemanship Quiz Challenge quizzes received 10 bonus points for each level they complete.

"It feels great to be the top score in our Zone and I am happy my students took the initiative to participate in the Stable Challenge. It’s about being better horsewomen, not just better riders," said Caya, who topped Zone 6.

"Participating as a barn gives riders a sense of community in something that isn't separated by skill level in the arena. Riders young and old can work together as a group in a fun way to test their knowledge about horses," said Valenzuela, a Credentialed Instructor from Zone 7. "Every rider should understand what keeps their horse healthy and feeling good, have a good grasp of their equipment, how to use and maintain it, and how best to navigate the barn and spot issues that may not be safe for a horse. The Stable Challenge reinforces all these topics and more."

Kaitlyn Lancelle Bates, Keira Lancelle Bates, and Rachel Potter of Zone 6's winning team, Integrity Farms. Photo provided by Kathleen Caya.

The highest scoring trainer in each USHJA Zone won a unique trainer-inspired award package designed to benefit the entire barn, which included a Nutrena gift certificate, grooming items from Exhibitor’s, a one-year USHJA membership, three one-year non-competing USHJA memberships for team participants, and a 2025 Recognized Riding Academy membership.

"I think it’s so important to encourage proper horsemanship and the continued education of horsemanship, so the Stable Challenge is an amazing way to help educate your students while also building some camaraderie and teamwork within your barn," said Evelyn Clark, a member of the Zone 3 Cranbrook Farms team. "I’m so proud of the horsemanship and knowledge that our barn has displayed and am so thankful to be somewhere that is encouraged! "

The Stable Challenge was originally created to promote the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Program and get members excited about advancing their horsemanship knowledge at all ages. USHJA members can still participate in the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and compete for a chance to go to Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals until September 1. The Horsemanship Quiz Challenge is supported in part by grants from US Equestrian and the USHJA Foundation.

For more information about the Stable Challenge, visit ushja.org/stablechallenge. For more information about the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, visit ushja.org/HQC.

Photo: MaryJo Peters/USHJA