July Zone 8 Update
Thank you for being a Zone 8 member! See who is participating in EAP, find out who won the HQC Stable Challenge, nominate someone for an annual award and more.
USHJA Virtual Town Hall Coming Up August 3
USHJA President Mary Babick has requested feedback from members about USHJA fall championships and USHJA Annual Meeting as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and has scheduled a Virtual Town Hall for August 3 at 3:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. Mountain Time).  Read more.

Additional resources and information related to COVID-19:



Congratulations to our Zone 8 EAP Participants
Congratulations to the following Zone 8 members who are participating in the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program:

  • Lucy Metzler, Boulder, Colo.
  • Halley Moak, Estes Park, Colo.
  • Audrey Morris, Santa Cruz, N.M.

Click here to read more about EAP and how it is different this year due to COVID-19.
Last Chance to Nominate Someone for the Following Awards:
July 31 (at midnight ET) is the deadline to nominate someone for the awards listed. Other awards deadlines are coming up later this year. Click here to learn more about awards and nominate someone. Online applications are now available.
Congratulations to the Zone 8 Stable Challenge Winner
Congratulations to our Zone 8 Horsemanship Quiz Stable Challenge winner Kristin Jacob and Blue Star Farms.

Stable Challenge is a fun 30-day horsemanship competition where barnmates can test their knowledge for a chance to win great prizes.

Special thanks to our Stable Challenge sponsors Essex Classics, FITS, Rood & Riddle and Shapley's.

September 1 is the last day to participate in the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge.
USHJA Moves Pony Finals Clinics Online
The USHJA Pony Finals Clinics, which typically take place throughout the week at USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm, have moved to an online format due to COVID-19. Clinics include:
  • Pony Model Video: Bill Schaub explains the Model class from start to finish in a video to be available Monday morning.
  • Sports Psychology Webinar: Join Tonya Johnson, MA for a presentation on Sports Psychology.
  • Dress to Impress Webinar: Top professional Archie Cox will explain how to impress the judges when you first walk into the ring.
  • After Show Care: Dr. Sarah Cohen, from the USHJA Horse and Rider Advocates Committee will discuss best practices for taking care of your equine partner after competing.

Good luck to our members competing in Pony Finals!
2020 Platinum Performance/USHJA Hunter Week is Coming Up

While spectators aren't allowed at the venue due to COVID-19 protocol, wall-to-wall live streaming coverage of the week-long competition will be available through Horse & Country TV on the USHJA TV channel. Coverage includes expert commentary on the final rounds, course visualization and live scoring.

As a result of the pandemic, strict protocols have been put in place by USEF as well as Kentucky Horse Shows to protect all exhibitors and staff at the event. The USEF COVID-19 resources can be found here, and the Kentucky Horse Shows protocol can be viewed here. Good luck to all our members who are competing!
Mark Your Calendar:
Green Hunter Incentive Southwest Championship
International Jumping Festival
September 16-20, 2020
San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

Green Hunter Incentive Central Championship
Harvest
Oct. 28–Nov. 1, 2020
Katy, Texas

Exhibitors may choose whichever regional championship they want but horses may only compete in one regional championship per year. Click here to learn more.
Zone 8 Stirrup Cup Championship
September 25-27, 2020
New Mexico Hunter Jumper Association Fall Festival
Albuquerque, N.M.

Zone 8 Horse of the Year Championship
November 18-22, 2020
Arizona Season Finale II
Scottsdale, Ariz.

*Championships are subject to change. Click here for the most up-to-date information.
USHJA Affiliate Member Organization News
Congratulations to the USHJA/IHSA Regional Sportsmanship Award Winners
Congratulations to USHJA Zone 8's Molly van Meer - University of Southern California, who was awarded a USHJA/IHSA Regional Sportsmanship Award this year!

Click here to read more about IHSA in the Digital IHSA Edition of USHJA In Stride.
Sport History: Fun Facts from the USHJA Wheeler Museum
Joe Fargis and Jane Marshall Dillon

Nominations are about to close for the Jane Marshall Dillon Award, which recognizes equestrians of all professions who have devoted their lives to teaching and mentoring riders beginning their education in the hunter/jumper discipline.

Great riders often attribute their success to their first trainers. Olympian and Show Jumping Hall of Famer Joe Fargis learned to ride and gained a lifetime foundation in horsemanship at Dillon’s Junior Equitation School in Vienna, Virginia. Riding with Mrs. Dillon included navigating the farm’s rolling hills and natural jumps, foxhunting, riding bareback, and learning all about horses and their care. Fargis and Dillon’s son Randy donated the Jane Marshall Dillon Perpetual Trophy.

Pictured: Jane Marshall Dillon’s winning student Joe Fargis
Know Your Zone 8 Committee Members
  • Laurie Grayson, Chair
  • Betsy Checchia, Vice Chair
  • Jenny Paisley, Treasurer
  • Betty Beran
  • Chris Collman
  • Michael Dennehy
  • Brittany Jorgensen
  • Marion Maybank
  • Beth Nielsen
  • Jill Pelzel
  • Danine Summers
  • Allison Wicks
Special thanks to these members who serve our zone! For more information about the committee and contact information, click here.
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Photos by: EQ Media, Tori Bilas, Tricia Booker, Jump Media, Rachel Sowinski
United States Hunter Jumper Association | (859) 225-6700 | ushja.org