Get to Know Your New Committee Members:
We began introducing our new Zone 2 Committee Members last month and continue this month. They are already working hard for our zone! Stay tuned next month for more introductions.

James Benedetto
James, of Northport, New York, is a rider and trainer who has been involved in the sport for more than 40 years. His goal is to improve the sport and continue to inform Zone 2 members about what is available to them. Outside the sport he enjoys fishing and ice hockey. He is married with two sons. 

Mary Drueding
Mary, of Andover, New Hampshire, has been involved in the industry for 30 years. She is a USEF Licensed Official and has students who ride all over the East Coast. She is the director of riding at St. Lawrence University in New York. Her goal as a committee member is to support Zone 2 and be a link for members who compete in the zone and at the college level. 

Claudine Liberatore
Claudine, of Jackson, New Jersey, is a USEF Judge and a horse show manager who has been in the sport for 42 years. As a committee member she wants to keep the grassroots level and development of the industry in mind. Outside of the sport, she enjoys BMX and motocross with her boys. If she could have dinner with one equestrian she would choose Jimmy Lee, a friend she doesn't get to see often enough.

Cynthia Williams
Cynthia, of Somers, New York, has been involved in the sport for around 40 years as an owner, judge, buyer, seller and clinician. As a committee member she hopes to be able to lend her support and experience to help innovate and move the organization forward. In her spare time she enjoys dogs, cinema, reading, more dogs and animal rescue. 

Stay tuned for more introductions in next month's eNews! For more information about your Zone 2 Committee, click here
Two EAP Regional Training Sessions 
Coming to Zone 2
Two Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Sessions are coming to Zone 2!

Are you proficient at 1.10m jumper-style courses? Are you under 21? This could be the opportunity you've been looking for.

The June 12-16 session at Cazenovia College Equine Education Center in Cazenovia, New York, will feature clinician Geoff Teall and stable manager Colleen Reed. 

The June 12-16 session at Centenary University Equestrian Center in Long Valley, New Jersey, will feature clinician Anne Kursinski and stable manager Nanci Snyder. 

Applications are now open! Apply for the Zone 2 sessions and the other early summer sessions by April 17. The application deadline for the late summer sessions is May 5. Click here to view the full list of training sessions. For more information about EAP, visit www.ushja.org/EAP
Zones 1 & 2 will Face Off in New Jersey at USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships
2016 Adult Amateur Champions. Photo credit: ESI Photography
The USHJA Zones 1 & 2 Jumper Team Championships will be  September 21-24 at Princeton Show Jumping Fall I in Princeton, New Jersey!

If you're competing in the Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper (1.10/1.15m), 1.20/1.25m Junior and Amateur Jumper, or 1.30/1.35m Junior and Amateur Jumper sections, you won't want to miss this exciting team Championships held in a Nations Cup-style format for all three fence heights for the first time this year. 

Mark your calendars, review the  specifications, and make sure to get your rider applications in by  May 1! Earn a minimum of 20 points ($20 money-won) by June 1 to be eligible to qualify for the championships. 

Each rider's Championship costs will be offset by a minimum of $75 paid by the rider's USHJA Zone.

For more information or to apply visit www.ushja.org/zonejumper
Grant Money Available for Members
Zone 2 has  grant money available for members who are interested in participating in various USHJA Programs this year. Click the links below to apply for these grants!


Click to apply
Deadline: May 1

Click to apply
Deadline: Oct. 31

Click to apply
Deadline: July 1

Click to apply
Deadline: Oct. 1

Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter North Regional Championships
Photo credit: Marketing4Equestrians
The USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Regional Championships, presented by SmartPak, for the North Region (Zones 1, 2 & 5) will be  August 9-13 at Showplace End of Summer in Crete, Illinois, at the new Balmoral Park! 

Last year, this set of Championships introduced Hunter riders to a new, exciting kind of team championship. Rider applications for the championships are now open.  To attend these Championships: 
  1. Apply online at www.ushja.org/chaahunter by May 1
  2. Continue competing to earn points toward qualifying until 60 days prior to your competition
  3. Check out the specifications and ensure you meet all other criteria (Please note: Riders may not compete in a class that exceeds 3'3" during the qualifying period (Exception: riders may compete in the USHJA National Hunter Derby and the Children's or Adult Amateur Jumper sections during the qualifying period)
Each rider's Championship costs will be offset by a minimum of $100 paid by the rider's USHJA Zone. 

Visit  www.ushja.org/chaahunter for more information.
Mary Babick  Recognized at 2017 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular
Mary Babick, center, receives the inaugural Mary Babick Initiative Award. Photo credit: Louise Taylor/USHJA Archives
Congratulations to USHJA President Mary Babick, of Freehold, New Jersey, on receiving the Mary Babick Initiative Award! 

The award  was presented to honor Babick and highlight her commitment to integrity in the equestrian sport.  Through the USHJA Foundation's Five-Year Planned Giving program, more than $100,000 has been raised to be used for Foundation initiatives and programs of the USHJA. Babick, president of the USHJA, was presented a silver platter showing names of donors below the words "Integrity First."
Seeking Sponsorship Coordinator for Zone 2
Zone 2 is now accepting nominations for a Sponsorship Coordinator who can lead the acquisition, management and fulfillment of sponsorships for the 2017 Horse of the Year Hunter Championship. Nominations are due March 5 to April Hammond.
 
This individual will be responsible for identifying and securing sponsors, while working with USHJA staff for approval and development of sponsor packages. The contractor must be available to staff the Zone 2 HOTY Championship on October 22, 2017, at the Farm Show Arena in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This opportunity is partially paid and includes commission. 

Required Experience/Skills:
  • A current USHJA member
  • Experience in sponsor development and fulfillment for both cash sponsorships and product donations
  • Knowledge of Zone 2 and the Zone 2 HOTY Championship
  • Ability to work collaboratively to develop sponsor packages
Please provide the following information in the nomination:
  • Name
  • City, State
  • Relevant Experience
Nominations are due March 5 and should be emailed to April Hammond at ahammond@ushja.org. We thank you in advance for your consideration!

Upcoming Clinics in Zone 2
April 28-30
Coker Farm
Bedford, New York

Trainer Certification Program, presented by Markel Insurance
Julie Winkel Clinic
July 3-4
Hi Acre Stables
Alexandria, Pennsylvania

Click here to view other upcoming clinics in the Directory of Clinics.
What's Your Horsemanship IQ?

Take the 2017 Horsemanship Quiz Challenge,  presented by The Plaid Horse

Find out how your horsemanship knowledge measures up! Register and take the online quizzes for a chance to compete at the HQC Nationals and win great prizes.   

Click here for more information. Register here
Important Dates and Deadlines
Don't miss out on exciting upcoming USHJA programs, events and opportunities: 

Date Event Additional Information
March 15 Last day for professionals to apply to be a Chef d'Equipe for USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships and Zone Jumper Team Championships Click here for Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships

Click here for Zone Jumper Team Championships
April 1 Last day to apply for the USHJA Foundation Gochman Family Grant for 2017 US Pony Finals Click for more info
April 17 Deadline to apply for early summer EAP Regional Training Sessions
*This includes sessions in Zone 2
Click to apply
April 28-30  TCP Clinic Bernie Traurig, Coker Farm, Bedford, New York Click for more info
April 30 Last day to apply for the 2017 USHJA Foundation Hamel Scholarship for Further Education. 
Click for more info
May 1 Last day to apply for: 
  • Zone Jumper Team
    Championships 
  • Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Regional Championships

Click to apply for Zone Jumper Team Championships

Click to apply for Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Regional Championships
May 1 Deadline to apply for EAP Travel Grant Apply here
May 5 Deadline to apply for late summer EAP Regional Training Sessions Click to apply
Have an interesting story to share? Know a member who deserves to be recognized? Email stories  here for possible inclusion in a future Zone eNews Update!
Sponsors and Partners
The USHJA would like to thank the following sponsors and partners for their support of our many programs and endeavors. For more information, click the sponsor logo(s) below.

Official USHJA Sponsors

Additional USHJA Sponsors & Partners
United States Hunter Jumper Association 
3870 Cigar Lane
Lexington, KY 40511
P: 859.225.6700 
F: 859.258.9033
USHJA LOGO