The third annual Kym K. Smith/USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships saw a 33 percent increase in entries this year. More than $20,000 in prize money was awarded and six division champions were named on August 23 at the Virginia Horse Center during the Virginia Young Horse Festival in Lexington, Virginia.

Click below to read more about the Championships and see all of the division winners!

The USHJA continues to plan educational webinars for members! Mark your calendar:

The Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF/USHJA Hunter Breeding National Championships - East, presented by Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Oare, wrapped up August 22.

Best Young Horse went to Caberneigh (Cabardino N x Special Consideration), handed by Emily Anne Belin-McDonnell, owned by Kelsey Calabro and bred by Linda Mancini.

Cabalero (Cabalito x Allegria), handled by Charlie Brown and owned and bred by Elizabeth Capor (from Zone 3), earned Reserve Best Young Horse and High Point Three-Year-Old.

Stay tuned to see who will be crowned the Overall Best Young Horse following the West iteration, now on September 18 as well as complete results. Click here to see more photos from the East championships.

Congratulations to Kirsten Lafforthun, 18, of Apex, North Carolina, who is a recipient of the 2020 USHJA Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education.

Lafforthun is hoping to continue to build her business as an equine photographer by studying agriculture business management at North Carolina State University. She also plans to still ride and compete in college.

“Receiving this scholarship means the world to me,” Lafforthun said. “The Hamel Scholarship will help me accomplish my personal goals, my business-related goals, as well as my equestrian goals.”

September 1 is the deadline to participate in the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge!

Participants take two levels of online horsemanship quizzes to be eligible for selection to the HQC Nationals. Click here to register and participate before the deadline.

HQC Nationals will be virtual this year. Stay tuned for more information. Click here to learn more about HQC.

The deadline to nominate a member for the USHJA Youth Leadership Award, the USEF Youth Sportsman's Award and the Vital Horse Show Staff Award is September 1!

If you know someone who is dedicated to the sport, is a positive role model for their peers and exhibits positive sportsmanship, nominate them for a youth award today!

If you know someone who works behind the scenes and whose role is essential for the success of horse shows, nominate them for the Vital Horse Show Staff Award.

Saratoga Fall

September 10-13

Stillwater, N.Y.

Capital Challenge Equitation Show

World Equestrian Center

Wilmington, Ohio

Sept. 25-27, 2020

October 16-18, 2020

Morven Park International Equestrian Center

Leesburg, Va.

Click here for more information.

*Championships are subject to change.

The show season continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. While showing has resumed in many ares, horse shows also continue to be canceled or relocated.

The USHJA announced the cancellation of the AON/USHJA National Championships earlier this month. Read more about the announcement.

Find the most up-to-date information relate to COVID-19:

This year has been far from typical when it comes to horse showing and accomplishing goals, but we know our members have still celebrated milestones and earned achievements outside of the competition ring.

Special thanks to these members who serve our zone! For more information about the committee and contact information, click here.