March 2019
Catch up on rules effective April 1, recent news, information and upcoming deadlines from USHJA!
Save the Date: AON/USHJA National Championships Set for Vegas in 2019
After an exceptional inaugural year, the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased that the AON/USHJA National Championships are set to return to The Las Vegas National, CSI4*-W, November 12-17, 2019, pending approval by US Equestrian. With competition offered from 2-foot Hunters to 1.40m Jumpers, horse-and-rider combinations qualify through their Affiliate or Zones, making this unique Championship a destination for competitors nationwide.
Jumper Athletes: Get on the Pathway at Your Level!
For Pros, Juniors & Amateurs: 1.40/1.45m USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships
USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships offer Professionals, Juniors and Amateurs competing at 1.40/1.45m team and individual competition, as well as an opportunity to qualify for the 2020 USHJA Platinum Masters Training Session with top national and international industry experts.

Riders interested in participating must apply to have their points count toward qualifying.

Application and qualifying deadlines by zone are as follows :
  • Zones 1 & 2: April 21
  • Zones 3 & 4: May 26
  • Zones 5 & 6: June 2
  • Zones 7 & 8: June 10
  • Zones 9 & 10: September 23 
For Juniors/Amateurs: 1.10/1.15m, 1.20/1.25m, 1.30/1.35m USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships
If you've been reading about the USHJA Gold Star Clinics - East and West wondering how people get selected, here it is... It all starts at the USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships which offer team and individual jumper competition for junior and amateur riders at 1.10/1.15m, 1.20/1.25m, 1.30/1.35m levels. Interested riders must apply to have their points count towards qualifying.

Application and qualifying deadlines by zone are as follows:
  • Zones 1 & 2: July 8
  • Zones 3 & 4: May 26
  • Zones 5 & 6: June 2
  • Zones 7 & 8: June 10
  • Zones 9 & 10: September 23
Have questions about the USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships or the USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships? Contact Jennifer Osterman at EJR@ushja.org or by calling (859) 225-6700.
Team Championship Experience for Hunter Riders
Are you a Children's or Adult Amateur Hunter rider and want to experience exciting team and individual championship competition? Application deadlines are approaching for the 2019 USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships, presented by SmartPak.

Interested riders must apply to have their points count toward qualifying.

Application and qualifying deadlines by zone are as follows:
  • Zones 1 & 2: June 29
  • Zone 3: April 6
  • Zone 4: July 13
  • Zones 5 & 6: May 18
  • Zone 7: July 5
  • Zones 9 & 10: September 7
Spring Brings New & Renewed Partnerships!
Sport History Spotlight: Honoring Women's History Month
Equestrian is only Olympic sport where men and women compete equally, but it wasn’t always the case. In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s take a look back to Show Jumping Hall of Famer Carol Durand, one of the first members of the United States Equestrian Team when it was formed in 1950 and a consistent winner in international classes on the fall indoor circuit in the early 1950s. Although Durand and Show Jumping Hall of Famer Miss Budweiser qualified for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, the FEI didn’t allow women to compete in show jumping until 1956. In Helsinki, teammate Arthur McCashin instead rode Miss Budweiser to Team Bronze along with Maj. John Russell (Democrat) and William Steinkraus (Hollandia). The US first sent women in 1964: Mary Mairs Chapot (Tomboy) and Kathy Kusner (Untouchable). Since then, the US team has included women on every Olympic team except Montreal 1976. PC: Budd
Photo credit: Budd
Grant and Scholarship Deadlines Approaching!
Do you have big goals? The USHJA and its Foundation are pleased to offer numerous grant and scholarship opportunities! Let us help you reach your goals.

$25,000 Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education: Apply by May 15
Designed to encourage further education among equestrians, this scholarship will award up to $25,000 to one USHJA member to be used for college, graduate, trade or professional school. Learn more and apply!

Applications Open for Over $90,000 in Zone Grants and Scholarships
Did you know that each USHJA Zone Committee allocates funds to support members each year? Applications are now open for grant and scholarship opportunities in your zone. Visit ushja.org/zones, find your zone on the menu and choose Grants & Scholarships.
  • April 1: Deadline to apply for a Zone grant for the 2019 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program
  • July 1: Deadline to apply for a Zone scholarship or academic grant
  • October 1: Deadline to apply for a grant to support hosting an educational clinic
Time is Running Out to Apply for the 2019 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program
Time is running out to apply to participate in the 2019 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program. Ten Regional Training Sessions are offered to riders ages 25 and under who are proficient at 1.10-1.35m jumper courses. Select sessions will offer a 3-foot section to introduce riders of all ages to the program.

Sessions with an application deadline of
April 15:
  • Findlay, Ohio*
  • Katy, Texas*
  • Venice, Fla.*
  • Lexington, Va.*
  • Long Valley, N.J.

Sessions with an application deadline of
May 13:
  • Burbank, Calif.
  • Crete, Ill.
  • Petaluma, Calif.*
  • South Hadley, Mass.*
  • Mill Spring, N.C.*
 
*Session offers a 3-foot section open to members of all ages.

Learn more at ushja.org/EAP.
"The EAP is an incredible learning experience for young athletes who are passionate and dedicated to the sport and want to advance their riding and horsemanship skills."
- Sally Ike, USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Committee Chair
Hunter Breeding Opportunities Abound!
Do you currently participate in hunter breeding classes, or are interested in learning more about handling and showcasing your talented young hunter? Check out all the ways you can compete AND learn!

USHJA Hunter Breeding Clinic with Oliver Brown at the Virginia Horse Center on April 26, 2019
Learn from "R" Hunter Breeding judge and USHJA Hunter Breeding Task Force Chair Oliver Brown! Open to all hunter and pony breeding enthusiasts, owners and handlers, this clinic will cover how to present your horse or pony in a hunter breeding or model class. The clinic is $60 per participant and $20 to audit.For more information and to register, contact Melanie Mader at mmader@ushja.org or at (859) 225-6722.

Hunter Breeding Championships Return to Both Coasts
Coordinated by the USHJA this year, the 2019 Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF/USHJA Hunter Breeding Championships, presented by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oare, will be held August 24, 2019, at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Va., and the West Championships will be held August 28, 2019, at the Del Mar Horse Park, in Del Mar, Calif.  Read More

USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships Welcomes New Title Sponsor
The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce Kym K. Smith as the title sponsor for the 2019 Kym K. Smith/ USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships, which will take place on August 25, 2019, alongside the Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF/USHJA Hunter Breeding Championships – East Coast at the Virginia Young Horse Festival at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia. Read More
Video of the Month: Longeing with Side Reins
Longeing can be a wonderful training tool for rider and horse if used in an appropriate manner with correct equipment and in a safe and secure location. It is also important for trainers to teach and enforce proper longeing techniques employed by their staff, both at home and at competitions. 

Check out this short educational video, created by the USHJA Horse and Rider Advocates Committee, which provides guidance on leg protection and equipment for longeing.

We encourage you to share this video and our other educational longeing videos, some available in both English and Spanish, with employees, barn mates and friends. 

For more educational content including articles and videos, visit ushja.org/bestpractices.
Educational Opportunities for All Ages & Levels
Is advancing your horsemanship, improving your riding, or committing to learning something new on your list of goals for 2019? Let us help you achieve your educational goals!

USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Is Now Open!
Members 21 and under are invited to participate in this exciting online quiz! From June 15 to July 15, the HQC Stable Challenge is open to ALL AGES!

Check out this free resource to obtain information about upcoming Hunter/Jumper clinics by area.

Find a lesson program that emphasizes horsemanship, safety of horse and rider, and offers hunter/jumper riding lessons taught by qualified instructors.

Are you a professional and want to demonstrate to your clients your commitment to professional development and continuing education? Become a USHJA Certified Trainer!
Know Before You Show: Rules Effective April 1, 2019
In January, US Equestrian passed several key rule changes that affect Hunter/Jumper competitors effective April 1, 2019.

New Rule for Jumpers: JP 135.1
To promote safety in the jumper ring, this rule effective April 1, 2019, will prevent jumper exhibitors from competing if a horse or rider falls in the ring. In the event of a fall of a Horse and/or Rider at any time from the moment the Horse/Rider combination enters the Competition ring, whether or not the signal to start has been given, the combination will not be permitted to start in the round or Class in question. Click here to read the full approved JP 135.1 Tracking #172-18 rule change.

New Rule Regarding Motorized Devices: GR1301.7
To ensure safety of individuals and horses alike on competition grounds, this new rule effective April 1, 2019, prohibits the unsafe use of motorized devices as determined by competition officials and management. This includes devices that fall outside of the category of a motorized vehicle such as segways, hoverboards, and motorized scooters. Click here to read the full approved GR1301.7 Tracking # 213-18 rule change.

To view the complete 2019 US Equestrian Rulebook, click here.
The following rules are also in effect for the 2019 competition year:
Safe Sport Training Requirement for Adults with USEF Active Competing Memberships
Don’t forget! If you’re an adult (18+) with a US Equestrian Competing Membership you must complete the USEF Safe Sport Training to compete in 2019.

For more information about Safe Sport, visit usef.org/safesport.

Microchipping Requirement
All horses competing in classes that require a USHJA Horse Registration are now required to be microchipped to compete. Click here to see frequently asked questions about the microchipping requirement. 
Catch up on all the latest USHJA news, headlines and event coverage at www.ushja.org/news or by following us on social media.

Facebook: Facebook.com/USHJA
Twitter: @ushja
Instagram: @ushunterjumper
Photo credits: Kaitlyn Karssen, Kristin Rover, Tricia Booker, Rachel Sowinski, Budd and Shawn Simonson of SAS Photography
USHJA Official Sponsors
USHJA Sponsors & Partners
U.S. Hunter Jumper Association | Phone: (859) 225-6700 | membership@ushja.org