February Zone 10 Update
With the arrival of spring comes the excitement of the Longines FEI World Cup Finals as new and veteran riders make their final preparations to represent the United States. We congratulate Richard Spooner, Jamie Barge and Jenni McAllister who qualified in the North American West Coast Sub-League and will be representing the United States. It takes hard work, dedication, and horsemanship to have consistent success at the top levels of the sport, and we hope all of our Zone 10 members can take inspiration from some of our top professionals. In addition, don’t forget to take advantage of the many programs USHJA offers to help you on your riding journey, whether you are a junior, amateur, or professional rider.

Kathy Hobstetter and Ned Glynn
Co-Chairs of the Zone 10 Committee
USHJA Announces National Championships Coming This Year
Do you want to represent our zone at the first ever Aon/USHJA National Championships Nov. 13-18 at The Las Vegas National?

The Championships will feature National Hunter Championships for:
  • Amateur Owner Hunters
  • Junior Hunters
  • Pony Hunters
  • Green Hunters
  • Adult Amateur Hunters
  • Children's Hunters

They will include the USEF/USHJA National Jumper Championships with eight sections of competition and the first USHJA Affiliate Championships!

Members interested in qualifying must submit entries for the Championships by Sept. 14. Entries will open when the horse show prize list is released.
The Championships will be held during The Las Vegas National, CSI4*-W at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa's Arena and Equestrian Center.
Zone Team Championship Opportunities for You!
Interested in leading teams as a Chef d'Equipe for one of these championships? Apply by March 30.
Zone 10 Riders Shine at HITS Coachella!
The HITS Coachella Circuit wrapped up with three major classes in the final weekend of competition (March 13-18) – the R. W. Mutch Equitation Championship, the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, and the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix – and Zone 10 horses and riders took the top honors.
Dates and Locations Announced for Zone HOTY Championships and Other Special Classes
Dates and locations for the Zone HOTY and Stirrup Cup Championships and other special classes have been announced! In Zone 10:

USHJA Gold Star Clinic Experience:
Trent McGee
In January, USHJA hosted the inaugural USHJA Gold Star Clinic – West at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA. The four-day clinic included horsemanship, stable management, mounted instruction and additional education from lead clinician Richard Spooner and other top industry professionals. 

Gold Star Clinics are part of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program. The program aims to identify Jumper athletes who have the skill and desire to excel in the sport. Individual medalists and select participants from the USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships received invitations to attend a Gold Star Clinic. Trent McGee, of Granada Hills, Calif., was a wildcard applicant and was accepted to participate in the clinic.

“About a month after applying, I received a formal acceptance. I was in study hall at school when I saw the email. I smiled so big that I remember trying not to look so weird,” Trent said. “As soon as I could, I called my parents and my trainer to share the news. I was so thankful and honored.” Read the full story.
Congratulations USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Award Recipients
The USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, presented by Markel, celebrates a successful inaugural year by awarding year-end national and zone awards throughout the country and reaching the $100,000 prize money pay-out mark! Congratulations to the following Zone 10 national award recipients:

National Horse Money-Won:
  • 1st place: Somekindawonderful, Augusta Iwasaki
  • 8th place: Kingston, Gabrielle Sokolow

National Rider Money-Won:
  • 2nd place: Augusta Iwasaki
  • 6th place: Gabrielle Sokolow

For more information about the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, presented by Markel, click here.
Apply for the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Today!
Deadlines to apply for a Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Session are coming up! Maplewood Stables in Reno, Nev., will host a session May 31-June 4 featuring clinicians Jim Wofford and Nanci Snyder, and Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, Calif., will host a session June 27-July 1 featuring clinicians Kip Rosenthal and Anne Thornbury. The application deadline for these sessions is April 16. Click here to view all of the sessions. Zone 10 has created a grant to help members attend a Regional Training Session; grant applications are due May 1.
Good Luck Riders Competing at IEA Nationals
Congratulations and good luck to our Zone 10 teams and riders who will be participating in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association National Finals April 20-22 at New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse! Click here for more information, and stay tuned for coverage from the finals!
Mark Your Calendar for the Hunterdon Cup Equitation Classic
Mark your calendar for the USHJA Hunterdon Cup Equitation Classic, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry, a three-round class that combines the precision of equitation and the handiness of hunters.

The East Coast Classic will be July 30 in Saugerties, N.Y. The West Coast Classic will be July 23 in Del Mar, Calif. Riders can choose their preferred location. Qualifying ends May 31. Click here for more information.
Do You Know Someone Getting Started in the Sport?
Zone 10 has several USHJA Recognized Riding Academies, which are educational programs that emphasize horsemanship and sportsmanship, promote safety and offer introductory Hunter/Jumper lessons!


For more information about the Recognized Riding Academy Program, click here.
Zone 10 Rider Photo Highlight
Sara Jorgensen and Top Top
Sara (Willow Tree Farm, trainer) and Top Top have been at the top of the leaderboard lately as the champions in the 2017 HOTY 1.30/1.35M A/O Jumper division and the A/O 1.30M Jumper division at HITS Coachella Desert Circuit V (Feb 20-25), where they also earned second place in the $5,000 Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic. 

“I bought Top Top from Mattias Ekeroth about two and a half years ago. He can be quirky about getting into the ring sometimes, but once he’s focused he is so willing to do his job,” Sara shared. “I have had some amazing horses in my life, but none are as careful and successful as Top Top. We are a team, and I truly treasure the wonderful relationship that we have together. It’s nice to win, but to have a happy, healthy horse who neighs to me when he hears my voice…does it get any better?” 

Sara also gets to share her love of riding and horses with her daughter Abby, who competes on the Baylor University equestrian team, and her twin sister Gail, who enjoys riding and photography. 
Pictured: Sara Jorgenson and Top Top. Credit: Gail Morey
Have a Story to Share?
Share stories about your successes and adventures in the sport with us for possible inclusion in the Zone 10 Update or on our Zone 10 Facebook Page. Please include your name and hometown and a photo.
Upcoming Events and Deadlines
March

April

May
USHJA Official Sponsors
USHJA Sponsors & Partners
Photos: Alden Corrigan Media, Tricia Booker, Al Cook, Captured Moments Photography, Jump Media, Kaitlyn Karssen, Megan Lacy, Leslie Mangan, Kristin Rover, Rachel Sowinski and Louise Taylor for USHJA.
United States Hunter Jumper Association | (859) 225-6700 | ushja.org