Get to Know Your Committee Members
Photo provided by Dana.
Stay with us over the next few months as we introduce your new Zone 12 Committee members. They're already working hard for our zone!

This month we are pleased to introduce Dana Eaton, the Zone 12 Committee Chair. Take a minute to get to know her, and stay tuned next month for more introductions! 

Dana, of Anchorage, has been involved with horses with her family for 35 years. Her mother founded Eaton Equestrian Center, which Dana now operates with her sister, Britta. She trains horses and students at the center.

"What is nice about being in a small area is that you can really involve yourself in all aspects of the sport," Eaton said. "In working with different organizations, I've been able to course design, work on management of horse shows, calculate year end points, keep rolls of memberships and recordings and review prize lists."

As a committee member she is hoping to help educate members in her zone and encourage them to participate in more USHJA programs. When she's not working or riding, she enjoys yoga. 

If she could have dinner with any one equestrian she would choose Reiner Klimke, because she thinks he is a beautiful rider. She said no dinner is necessary though, because she'd rather just sit and watch him ride.

Make Plans to Attend an Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Session
Applications are now open for the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program, and the best part: Zone 12 is offering travel grants to members to assist with travel costs.

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

For more information or to apply about EAP, visit www.ushja.org/EAP

April 17 Application Deadline:
Date
Location
Clinician/Stable Manager
May 29-June 2
World Equestrian Center,
Wilmington, Ohio
Julie Winkel
Anne Thornbury
June 11-15
 
Georgia International Horse Park,
Conyers, Ga.
Chris Kappler
Anne Thornbury
June 12-16
 
Cazenovia College Equine Education Center, Cazenovia, N.Y.
Geoff Teall
Colleen Reed
June 12-16
Centenary University Equestrian Center,
Long Valley, N.J.
Anne Kursinski
Nanci Snyder

May 5 Application Deadline:
Date
Location Clinician/Stable Manager
June 26-30
Great Southwest Equestrian Center,
Katy, Texas
Kip Rosenthal
Nanci Snyder
June 27-July 1
 
Virginia Horse Center,
Lexington, Va.
Jim Wofford
Colleen Reed
July 5-9
 
Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center, South Hadley, Mass.
Julie Winkel
Colleen Reed
July 12-16
 
Los Angeles Equestrian Center,
Burbank, Calif.
Joe Fargis
Anne Thornbury
July 19-23
 
Sonoma Horse Park,
Petaluma, Calif.
Geoff Teall
Nanci Snyder
July 25-29
 
Colorado Horse Park,
Parker, Colo.
Kip Rosenthal
Nanci Snyder
Apply for the Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter West Regional Championships!
Photo credit: Tricia Booker
The USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Regional Championships, presented by SmartPak, for the West Region (Zones 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12) will be July 18-23 at Oregon High Desert Classic I in Bend, Oregon.

Last year, this set of Championships introduced Hunter riders to a new, exciting kind of team championship.  To attend the Championships this year: 
  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. 

In 2018, these championships will be moving toward a zone-based structure similar to that of the Zone Jumper Team Championships. Stay tuned for more information about those changes for 2018.

Come on Zone 12! Let's show the other zones what we've got! Visit www.ushja.org/chaahunter for more information.
Don't Put Your Dreams Off. Grant Money Available!
Zone 12 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
Don't Miss the Chance to Apply for the Gochman Family Grant for U.S. Pony Finals!
Becky and David Gochman pictured with 2016 USHJA Foundation Gochman Family Grant recipients Cecillia Machado, Riley Hogan and Judy Dettore. Photo credit: Kristin Rover/USHJA Archives.
Applications are open for the USHJA Foundation Gochman Family Grant for the 2017 US Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm. Applications must be completed and submitted to the Foundation by April 1

Each year, the Foundation awards this grant to up to three riders who exemplify the qualities that are most important in our sport-sportsmanship, tenacity, and horsemanship-and would otherwise be unable to go to Pony Finals, to enable them to go.
 
"Last year, we were able to help make the dreams of three young equestrians come true," said Jennifer Burger, president of the USHJA Foundation. "Again, we encourage any young member who has ever dreamed of going to the US Pony Finals but thought they would never be able to apply." 

The grant is not strictly monetary in nature but rather experience-based. The grant recipient(s) will receive an opportunity to compete at Pony Finals and will be provided an appropriate pony if one is needed.   Up to three individuals may be selected each year.
 
The grant aims to inspire young riders to embrace this sport at the earliest age and encourage them to continue growing as equestrians is graciously supported by Becky and David Gochman and family.  Click here to apply.
Have You Renewed Your Membership?
Now that the 2017 competition year is underway, don't forget to
  Click here to renew only your USHJA membership (Associate, Collegiate, Outreach and Scholastic Members)
Apply for the Hamel Scholarship for Further Education by April 30
Photo credit: iStock.com/Ancika
The USHJA Foundation is now accepting applications to the USHJA Foundation Hamel Scholarship for Further Education. The Foundation will award $25,000 to one USHJA member for use toward college, graduate, trade or professional school. 

"We are very excited to kick off this first year of the scholarship and encourage junior and adult USHJA members alike who are furthering their education to apply," said Jennifer Burger, president of USHJA Foundation. "This opportunity wouldn't be possible without the generosity of the Hamel Family, and we look forward to being able to support the advanced educational pursuits of a deserving USHJA member each year."

USHJA members who have been members for the past three consecutive years are eligible for the scholarship; applicants must be accepted into a college, graduate, trade or professional school as a student. They should be ranked in the top 20 percent of their class with at least a 3.5 grade point average. For those not currently or recently in school, the Foundation will consider an equivalent employment history. Click here to apply.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Don't miss out on exciting upcoming USHJA programs, events and opportunities: 

Date Event Additional Information
April 1 Deadline to apply for the USHJA Foundation Gochman Family Grant for 2017 US Pony Finals Click here to apply
April 17 Deadline to apply for early summer EAP Regional Training Sessions Click here to apply
April 30 Last day to apply for the 2017 USHJA Foundation Hamel Scholarship for Further Education. 
Click here to apply
May 1 Deadline to apply for: 
  • Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Regional Championships

Apply for Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Regional Championships
May 1 Deadline to apply for EAP Travel Grant Click here to apply
May 5 Deadline to apply for late summer EAP Regional Training Sessions
Click here 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