April Zone 9 Update
Thank you for being a Zone 9 member! This month make sure you know about rule changes that went into effect April 1. Review and comment on 2019 Zone Specifications, and see what important events and deadlines are coming up. Don't forget to share your photos and stories with us!
Do you know what rule changes went into effect April 1?
In January, US Equestrian passed several rule changes that affect Hunter/Jumper competitors that went into effect on April 1. Make sure you Know Before You Show:


We need your input! Zone Specifications are available for member comment until May 16
The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce that the Member Comment Period for 2019 USHJA Zone Specifications is now open.
 
Each year, the USHJA Zone Committees closely review the specifications for their zone to make any adjustments to better serve the needs of the zone, and then the USHJA makes these adjusted specifications available for member comment. The member comment period for zone specifications will be open until May 16, and members simply email comments or suggestions to zones@ushja.org .
 
Last chance to apply for the 2018 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program
The late summer session deadline for the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Regional is May 14.

The Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colo., will host a session July 31-Aug. 4 featuring clinicians Julie Winkel and Nanci Snyder.

Don't miss the chance to participate in this amazing program!
Congratulations to 2017 Zone 9 Horse of the Year Champions!
Special thanks to The Chronicle of the Horse for sharing their coverage of 2017 Zone HOTY winners. For more information about Zone HOTY and year-end awards, click here.
USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship Northwest Happening in Zone 9!
The opportunity to participate in one of the Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championships is coming up July 25-29 at Oregon High Desert Classic 2 in Bend, Oregon!

Each regional championship is two rounds and the combined total score for both rounds will determine the winner! Don't forget horses must be enrolled in the program to participate! Read more about these new championships here.
Interested in becoming a USHJA Certified Trainer?
Earn TCP credit at the upcoming Julie Winkel Clinic June 9-10 at Washington State Horse Park in Cle Elum, Wash.

The Zone 9 Committee will provide a $125 reimbursement to the first 10 who apply to earn TCP credit at the clinic. Click here for more information about the program.
Good luck IHSA Nationals riders!
Congratulations and good luck to riders and teams from our zone competing at the IHSA National Championships May 3-6 at Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg! Click here to see who is participating. Tune in to EQSportsNet for coverage of the event!

Also, congratulations to our members who received National All-Academic Award honors from IHSA.
Test your knowledge with the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, presented by The Plaid Horse
Quick Quiz! Check back next month to find out the answer!
The following are flaws that can be found on a horse's front legs, except:
Club footed
Camped out
Pigeon toed
Congratulations to USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Award Recipients
The USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, sponsored 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 9 award recipients:
*Note: the following results have been edited to list the correct horse and owner combinations

Zone 9 Horse Money Won
1st place: Paris, Teton Farms LLC
2nd place (tie): Higgins, Copper Lane Farm
2rd place (tie): Paint The Town, Anna Kotler

Zone 9 Rider Money Won
1st place: Kyra Russell
2nd place (tie): Anna Kotler
2rd place (tie): Madeline Luddy

For more information about the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, click here.
Are you on the qualifying list?
Apply to have your points count toward qualifying for the USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships, presented by SmartPak, by Sept. 7 and the USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships by Sept. 24! Your Zone Committee has also set aside limited funding to help offset riders' entries at the championships.
Catch the action at IEA National Finals
Good luck to riders and teams from our zone who are participating in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association National Finals April 20-22 at New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse! Click here to view coverage of the event.
Have a story to share?
Share stories about your successes and adventures in the sport with us for possible inclusion in the Zone 9 Update or on our Zone 9 Facebook Page. Please include your name and hometown and a photo.
Important dates and deadlines
May


June

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Photos: Tricia Booker, Megan Lacy, Leslie Mangan and Louise Taylor for USHJA.
United States Hunter Jumper Association | (859) 225-6700 | ushja.org