Get to Know Your Committee Members:
Last month we began introducing our new Zone 8 Committee Members, and we continue this month! They are already working hard for the zone. Stay tuned for more introductions next month.

Betty Beran , of Scottsdale, Arizona, has been involved with the sport for more than 50 years. She was a professional rider and is now a trainer. As a committee member she wants to be involved with the governance that affects the sport. Her other hobbies include snow skiing, scuba diving, barre classes, and teaching her grandchildren and others about the sport. If she could have dinner with any equestrian, she would choose Jimmy Williams because she has learned so much from him. 

Chris Collman , of Cave Creek, Arizona, started riding at the age of 5 and has been involved in the sport as a rider, owner, trainer, licensed official and horse show manager. His goal as a committee member is to help the industry grow and get better. Outside of the sport he enjoys fishing, camping, photography and the Green Bay Packers. He would have dinner with William Steinkraus to talk about all of his accomplishments and how he became a show jumping legend. 

Beth Nielsen , of Longmont, Colorado, has spent almost every day of her life involved with the sport whether she was riding, showing, judging, training or educating students. She is an "R" hunter, jumper, hunt seat equitation, and hunter breeding judge, taught at Lake Erie College, and ran North Coast Farm. As a committee member she wants to give back and be an active participant on calls and at the USHJA Annual Meeting. She also enjoys golf, travel, Pilates and gardening and spending time with her husband and children. She would have dinner with Jean Froissard because he revolutionized her riding and was fascinating to listen to.

Stay tuned for more committee member introductions next month! For more information about your Zone 8 Committee click here
Zones 7 & 8 will Face Off in Oklahoma at the 
USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships
Photo credit: Bianca McCarty Photography
The USHJA Zones 7 & 8 Jumper Team Championships will be July 9-16 at GO Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

If you're competing at 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 1Earn a minimum of 20 points ($20 money-won) by May 10 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
Kip Rosenthal and Nanci Snyder to Lead EAP Regional Training Session in Zone 8!
An Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Session is coming to Zone 8! 

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

The July 25-29 session will be at Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado, and will feature clinician Kip Rosenthal and stable manager Nanci Snyder. To participate in this clinic or any of the late summer training sessions, apply by May 5. The deadline for early summer training sessions is April 17.

Click here to view the full list of training sessions. Applications are now open ! 

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

Visit www.ushja.org/chaahunter for more information.
Grant Money Available for Members
Zone 8 has  grant money available for members who are interested in participating in the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program or Trainer Certification Program this year. Click the links below to apply for these grants!


Click to apply
Deadline: May 1

Click to apply
Deadline: Oct. 31

Upcoming Clinic in Zone 8
March 10-12
Canon Ridge Farm
Castle Rock, Colorado
Three-day progressive clinic with four groups of six ranging from 2'6"-3'6"
Auditors welcome
Contact Kay Beard for more information at [email protected]

Click here for the USHJA 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 Ch/AA Hunter Championships Chef Apps

Click here for Ch/AA Zone Jumper Team Championships Chef Apps
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: 
  • Zone Jumper 
    Team Championships 
  • Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Regional Championships
Apply for Zone Jumper Team 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
*Includes the Zone 8 session
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