FEI World Cup Finals Omaha Wrap Up
The Longines FEI World Cup Final was held in Omaha, Nebraska, March 29-April 2, and U.S. rider McLain Ward took home the title after five clear rounds on HH Azur!

A number of USHJA Zone 6 members attended the event, and we want to thank those who had a role in the Finals. Dan Urban acted as the FEI Stable Manager, and Patrice Urban was in charge of awards and award ceremonies as well as acted as a liaison between the Omaha Equestrian Foundation Organizing Committee and most of the FEI and USEF officials.

In addition to the enjoying the exciting competition, Zone 6 members participated in a special forum on Sunday featuring top professionals in the industry. The panel was made up of former World Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist  Nick Skelton, FEI Director of Jumping John Madden, and former World Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Melanie Smith Taylor, who moderated the discussion. 

"The Zone 6 opportunity was wonderful, and I want to say how awesome the FEI World Cup Omaha was," Zone 6 Committee Member Elizabeth Conyers said. 

Conyers said there were many interesting questions for the panelists. 

"A question that was asked by a mother of a child rider was how can parents be more involved in the sport even if they don't ride," Conyers said. "Nick and John don't have children, however, they suggested to learn how to braid and groom the horse/pony, learn to clean stalls, get involved and support their child outside of paying bills."

Jim Urban, former Zone 6 Committee member, also attended the forum, and he noted, " Nick, John, and Melanie were all delightful, informative, fun and sometimes quite humorous." 

"John Madden discussed the history and tradition of the WC Finals as well as the scoring," Urban said. " He emphasized that we must all remember the this sport is based upon the deep love and respect of, and compassion for the horse. He also stressed the importance of having FUN and enjoying the horse and the sport. As an example he pointed out himself as someone who was never able to ride at all well, but has always loved horses and now is Director of Jumping at the FEI. He said that there is a niche for everyone in the sport."

Urban said that all of the panelists felt it was important for the country's top riders to want to represent their individual countries in competitions such as the World Cup Finals, the Olympics, the World Equestrian Games.
May 1 Deadline to Apply for 
Zone Jumper Team Championships

The USHJA Zones 5 & 6 Jumper Team Championships will be August 11-13 at Showplace End of Summer in Crete, Ill., at the new Balmoral Park!

Check to see if you're on the qualifying list:




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. 

For more information or to apply visit www.ushja.org/zonejumper
Do You Know These Answers?

1. About how many gallons of water does a healthy horse drink each day?

2. Which of the following is NOT a type of martingale?
a. Bib
b. Irish
c. Spanish
d. Running

3. True or false? Tetanus is a disease that affects the nervous system.

To find out the answers, scroll to the bottom of eNews! And find out how your horsemanship knowledge measures up by registering to take the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, presented by  The Plaid Horse !

HQC is a fun online quiz members 21 and younger can take for a chance to attend HQC Nationals and win prizes.  Register here
Zone 6 Handy Hunter Challenges Are FREE!
Mark your calendars for the first three Zone 6 Handy Hunter Challenges! The Handy Hunter Challenges were designed to test the handiness of horse and rider in a fun series of classes at your local horse shows. Entry is free for Zone 6 members!  Click here for more info.

Date Show City/State
May 3-7 Mid States Spring Mason City, Iowa
May 12 Maffitt Lake Spring Gathering I Cumming, Iowa
May 17-21 Maffitt Lake Spring Gathering II Cumming, Iowa
May 18-22 MHJA Horse Show Hugo, Minn.
May 31-June 4 Springtime Sunshine at Quail Run Elkhorn, Neb.

Click here for the full list of Zone 6 Handy Hunter Challenges!
Is Your Name on the Qualifying List?
Last Chance to Apply!
Is your name on one of these qualifying lists? 



If so, CLICK HERE to apply by May 1 to have your points count toward qualifying for the USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Regional Championships, presented by SmartPak

The championships for the Central Region will be July 12-16 at GO Show in Oklahoma City.  Visit www.ushja.org/chaahunter  for more information.
Jumper Team and Jumping Seat Equitation Championships At a Glance
Click the Graphic to View

Are you working your way up in the Jumpers/Jumping Seat Equitation or looking for a new goal in the Jumper arena? 

We've created a quick cheat sheet for Jumper riders to help you find the Team and Jumping Seat Equitation Championships that will help you get there! From the USHJA to USEF and FEI programs, Jumper riders have some great Championships available!
Share Your Feedback and Enter to Win a $250 ShopUSHJA Shopping Spree!
We invite you to take this short survey by May 1, and in return you will be entered into a drawing for a $250 shopping spree at ShopUSHJA!

USHJA relies on the support of sponsors to help us serve our members. The information you will provide will help USHJA target prospective sponsors that will be the best fit for USHJA and its members. Thank you advance for your participation!
Congratulations Zone HOTY Champions!
Click below to view The Chronicle of the Horse's special Zone Champions issue:


Thank you to The Chronicle of the Horse for providing us with this version to share with our members! 

For more information about how to earn Zone HOTY points click here.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Don't miss out on exciting upcoming USHJA programs, events and opportunities: 

Date Event Additional Information
April 24 Member Comment Period Open for Specifications  Click for more info
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 Last day to apply for EAP Grant Click here to apply
May 3-7 Handy Hunter Challenge
Mid States Spring, Mason CIty, Iowa
Click for more info
May 5 Deadline to apply for late summer EAP Regional Training Sessions
Click here to apply
May 11 Qualifying Period ends for Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Central Regional Championships Click for more info
May 12 Handy Hunter Challenge
Maffitt Lake Spring Gathering I
Click for more info
May 15 Application deadline for the Trainer Certification Program for review in June  Click for more info
May 18-22 Handy Hunter Challenge
MHJA Horse Show
Hugo, Minn.
Click for more info
May 24  Member Comment Period Closes for Specifications  Click for more info
May 31-June 4 Handy Hunter Challenge
Springtime Sunshine at Quail Run
Elkhorn, Neb.
Click for more info
June 1 Deadline to earn minimum points/money won for the Zone Jumper Team Championships Click for more info
June 2 Enrollment fee increases to $750 for:
  • Green Hunter Incentive Program 
  • International Hunter Derby Program
Click here for Green Hunter Incentive Program

Click here for International Hunter Derby Program

Click here  for the Zone 6 calendar of events.
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



HQC Answers:
1. Twelve gallons
2. Spanish
3. True

How did you do? Click here to register to take the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, presented by The Plaid Horse!
United States Hunter Jumper Association 
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