What's Inside?
A Toast to Excellence: Celebrating the Tradition of HuntersPBS
  $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular Returns Saturday 

Watch top hunters compete for the title of Champion under the lights of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida, on Saturday, Feb. 17, during Week 6 of the Winter Equestrian Festival. 

Spectators are invited to join us as we enjoy "A Toast to Excellence" at the accompanying gala, which offers the best seats in the house. The party will celebrate the history of the WCHR Program and the horses, riders and owners who have shaped and defined the Hunter discipline. Join us in celebrating that history by purchasing a table at the accompanying gala!

Seating is done on a first come, first served basis and tables are going fast, so purchase yours today at www.ushja.org/WCHRSpectacular! If you can't join in person, be sure to tune into the live stream at tv.coth.com or ushja.org

Betsee Parker's Private Life Named 2017 WCHR Hunter of the Year

Private Life, owned by Betsee Parker, is named 2017 WCHR Hunter of the Year and recipient of the WCHR Peter Wetherill Cup. The award will be presented during the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular on Saturday, Feb. 17.

Read more about Private Life's successful 2017 show season that led to being named WCHR Hunter of the Year! 

Grants to Help Members Grow in the Sport Grants
USHJA Foundation Gochman Family Grant for USEF Pony Finals
Do you or someone you know dream of going to Pony Finals?  The USHJA Foundation Gochman Family Grant for USEF Pony Finals provides riders who exemplify the qualities that are most important in our sport --- sportsmanship, tenacity, and horsemanship --- the opportunity to go to Pony Finals. Riders may  apply online  using the application materials available, now through April 6.



USHJA Foundation Making A Dream Grant
Do you wish you could have a special experience in the equestrian world but challenging circumstances have gotten in your way? The USHJA Foundation "Making A Dream" program extends opportunities to individuals who face unique circumstances but seek a special experience in the sport.  Nominate someone today!

2017 Making A Dream recipient Marley Jordan and her equestrian idol George H. Morris. Photo_ USHJA
Zone Grants for Sport Education
Would funding help you attend an educational opportunity near you? USHJA Zones have grants available for members interested in participating in various USHJA programs including the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program, the USHJA Trainer Certification Program and more. See what's available to you in your zone at  ushja.org/zones. Select your zone and then click Grants & Scholarships. 


Horsemanship for Our FutureEAPHQC
Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program

"Without the horses, we don't have a sport. To me it's so important that everybody is educated on how to properly care for a horse and get them to be a willing, successful partner." -Anne Thornbury, EAP Stable Management Clincian

With 10 Regional Training Sessions across the country, hundreds of riders ages 25 and under will have access to top clinicians to help them in their pursuit to become great horsemen this year. Learn more about the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program and apply online at ushja.org/EAP

USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, presented by The Plaid Horse

"Highlighting the importance of horsemanship and knowledge of the sport fuels greater success for riders in all rings." -Piper Klemm, Owner and Publisher of The Plaid Horse

USHJA members, ages 21 and under, are encouraged to put their horsemanship knowledge to the test from now through Sept. 1 for a chance to qualify for HQC Nationals, an in-person, educational horsemanship competition that offers $4,000 in educational grants! Take the challenge at ushja.org/HQC
Scholarships to Pursue EducationScholarships
$25,000 USHJA Foundation Hamel Scholarship for Further Education

How would $25,000 help you pursue your educational dreams? Applications are now open for the $25,000 USHJA Foundation Hamel Scholarship for Further Education, which may be used for college, graduate, trade or professional school. The deadline to apply is May 15. For eligibility requirements and to apply, visit ushjafoundation.org/hamelscholarship

USHJA Zone Scholarships

College scholarship funds might also be available through your USHJA Zone! Be sure to check out your zone page to see what grants and scholarships are available to members in your zone at ushja.org/zones. Click on your zone and then select Grants & Scholarships.

Clinics for All Ages and AbilitiesClinics

Clinics for All Ages and Abilities 

Looking for more educational opportunities in your area? Be sure to check out the USHJA Directory of Clinics to find a wide variety of clinics and events for riders of all skill levels.
Feb. 19 Jim Brandon Equestrian Center
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Feb. 20 Richard Watson Clinic Fox Lea Farm
Venice, Fla.
March 8-11 Bernie Traurig Clinic Tamarack Hill Farm
Vass, N.C.
Clinics for Professionals

Are you a professional and want to demonstrate to your clients your commitment to education and professional development? TCP Clinics are being held nationwide to help professionals fulfill the educational component of the USHJA Trainer Certification Program, presented by Markel.

March 16-18 TCP Clinic: Bernie Traurig Valhalla Equestrian
Katy, Texas
April 6-8 TCP Clinic: George Morris Smoke Tree Ranch
Scottsdale, Ariz.
April 22-23 TCP Clinic: Chris Kappler Sycamore Trail Stables
San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

Jumper Riders: Get on the Pathway, Move Toward Your GoalsZJTC

Applications are now open for the USHJA Zone Jumper Team ChampionshipsThe Championships provide riders with a competitive team experience in Children's and Adult Amateur (1.10/1.15m), 1.20/1.25m Junior and Amateur, and 1.30/1.35m Junior and Amateur Jumper sections.

Additionally, the USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships serve as an entry point to the Show Jumping Athlete Pathway, where individual medalists will have the opportunity to earn the title of Gold Star Emerging Jumper Rider and qualify to participate in a Gold Star Emerging Jumper Rider Clinic. 

Gold Star Emerging Jumper Riders are already being selected to participate in higher level jumper competition. Good luck to the riders representing the U.S. the CSIJCh Team Competition in Ocala, Fla. on Saturday, Feb. 17! 

For more information and to apply by your zone's deadline to have your points count toward qualifying, visit ushja.org/ZoneJumper
Share Your Love of Horses with the USHJA FoundationFoundation
The month of February is all about love, and the USHJA Foundation is celebrating what we love about our sport! 

From the friendship between horse and rider, to practice paying off in the show ring, the support teams we have around us, to the strength of the community to come together in times of need, it is our love for the horse that makes our hunter/jumper community so special. 

Follow the USHJA Foundation on Facebook or USHJA on Instagram to #shareyourlove for the sport, and as you celebrate who and what you love this month, consider giving back to the equestrian community with a donation in their honor at ushjafoundation.org/donate
Hunter Riders: Enjoy the Team ExperienceChAAHunter
Applications are now open for the USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships, presented by SmartPak! New for 2018, the Championships will be moving to a zone-based geography, and will continue to offer a unique Hunter team and individual competition experience.


How to Participate:
  • Apply by your zone's deadline
  • Earn points in your respective Children's or Adult Amateur Hunter section
  • Don't compete over 3'3" (except in a USHJA National Hunter Derby or Children's/Adult Amateur Jumper division)
  • Review specifications to ensure you meet other criteria
Learn more and apply at ushja.org/ChAAHunter
More Green for Greens!GreenHunter
Three ways to earn great prize money for 3', 3'3", 3'6" and 3'9" Green Hunters:

1) Compete in one of five new USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championships
2)  Participate in the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship 
3)  Enter a USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Stake Class at a competition near you!

Horses must be enrolled to participate! For more information on the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program, the new championship opportunities, and to enroll your 3', 3'3", 3'6" or 3'9" Green Hunter, visit ushja.org/GreenIncentive.  
Important Competition Changes: USHJA International Hunter DerbyIHD
Please note these competition changes that affect USHJA International Hunter Derby classes:
Competition Changes
Pin Oak Charity Horse Show
Great Southwest Equestrian Center
Katy, Texas
March 27-31
  • $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby offered on March 29
Pin Oak Charity Horse Show III
Great Southwest Equestrian Center
Katy, Texas
April 3-8
  • Competition name change from Spring Gathering to Pin Oak III
  • $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby offered on April 6
Aiken Spring Classic Masters
Highfields Event Center
Aiken, S.C.
April 18-22
  • Two Star, $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby offered on April 21
Central California Classic
Paso Robles Horse Park
Paso Robles, Calif.
May 30-June 3
  • No USHJA International Hunter Derby will be offered 
Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show II
Broyhill Equestrian Preserve
Blowing Rock, N.C.
Aug. 1-6
  • Two Star, $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby offered on Aug. 4
Central California Oak Tree Classic
Twin Rivers Ranch
Paso Robles, Calif.
Nov. 5-11
  • Now held at Twin Rivers Ranch
  • One Star, $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby offered on Nov. 9
National Horse Show
Kentucky Horse Park
Lexington, Ky.
Oct. 28-Nov. 4
  • $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby offered on Nov. 2
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
Charles Owen
Rood and Riddle
Additional USHJA Sponsors & Partners

 





United States Hunter Jumper Association
3870 Cigar Lane
Lexington, KY 40511
P: 859.225.6700
F: 859.258.9033
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