January Zone 3 Update
Thank you for being a Zone 3 member! Nominate someone for Zone Committee elections, apply for upcoming programs and grant opportunities, and more.
Nomination Period Open for USHJA Zone Committee Member Elections
The nomination period for the USHJA Zone Committee member elections is open in each of the 12 USHJA Zones until March 1.

Senior Active or Senior Associate members in good standing are eligible to participate in the nomination and election process for USHJA Zone Committee members in their zone.

To nominate someone, click here.
USHJA Board of Directors to Discuss Rule Changes at Upcoming Special Meeting
The Board of Directors will host a special board meeting at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, February 8, to discuss and vote on referred rule changes from the USHJA Annual Meeting.

Any approved rule changes to come out of this meeting will be put forth to USEF for approval at their mid-year meeting in June. This meeting will be open to the public and members via Zoom. Click here to register and attend.
Applications Open for Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team and Platinum Jumper Championships
Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team and Platinum Jumper Championships
Zones 3 & 4
July 21-25, 2021
Tryon Summer 6
Mill Spring, N.C.

Qualifying Start Date: August 18, 2020
Application Deadline and Qualifying Ends: June 6, 2021
Congratulations to Members Attending the USHJA Gold Star Clinic East
Congratulations to the following members participating in the USHJA Gold Star Clinic East at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center February 10-14 in West Palm Beach, Florida:

1.10m-1.15m
  • Devyn Borden, Richardsville, Va.
  • Alexis Mierzwa, Winchester, Va.

Watch the clinic on Horse & Country TV.
Upcoming USHJA Webinars
Mark your calendars for these upcoming USHJA Webinars:

Body Clipping Tips and Blanket Know-How 
Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. ET
Between body clipping and blanketing, the colder months can be challenging to keep your horse warm. USHJA Emerging Athlete Program Stable Manager Anne Thornbury will discuss body clipping best practices from which clipper blades to use to how to start.

Careers and Jobs Within the Equestrian Community – Horse Shows
March 1, 7 p.m. ET
The start of a new webinar series that gives an overview of jobs that are in the equestrian community, Katie Benson will lead the discussion about the opportunities at horse shows.

Equine Business QuickBooks
April 26, 7 p.m. ET
Returning speaker Holly Frenzel, from the Equine Business Basic webinar, comes back to explain how to make QuickBooks work for your equine business.
Applications Open February 3 for USHJA Emerging Athletes Program
Applications for the 2021 USHJA Emerging Athletes Program will open on February 3, and the USHJA has also announced the dates and locations of this year's sessions. Click here to read more.

Session in or near Zone 3:
  • July 28-Aug.1 at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C., led by Cynthia Hankins and stable manager Anne Thornbury
  • June 14-18 at the Ned. R. McWherter Agricultural Pavilion on The University of Tennessee at Martin's Campus in Martin, Tenn., led by Candice King and stable manager Colleen Reed
  • June 23-27 at Fox Lea Farm in Venice, Fla., led by Jeff Cook and stable manager Colleen Reed
Let USHJA Help You Achieve Your Goals

Each year, the USHJA Foundation offers three young pony riders the opportunity to attend and compete at Pony Finals. This grant is not strictly monetary in nature, but rather experience-based.

The scholarship is designed to encourage further education among equestrians. The USHJA Foundation awards up to $25,000 to be used for college, graduate, trade or professional school.
Know Before You Show
The USHJA is helping you Know Before You Show with a simple guide of rule changes in effect for the new competition year. Click here to view the guide that includes rules related to:

  • Hunter equipment
  • Measurement
  • Green eligibility and Green Hunter points
  • Jumper tack and attire
  • Jumper points
  • Young Hunter updates and more!
USHJA Recognized Riding Academy Spotlight: Palisades Episcopal School
Learn more about Palisades Episcopal School, a USHJA Recognized Riding Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Tell us a little about your program and who you serve.
Our Equestrian program is an integrated part of PES’s school curriculum. We serve students in grades 3-8 in our day school riding program, where students participate in Equestrian class during their PE class time. We also offer a show team, a Junior Pony Club group for 1st & 2nd grades, and host events and clinics throughout the year.

What made you want to become a Recognized Riding Academy?
When we began our program six years ago, we were looking for opportunities to align our school with a designation that showed we were a professional, organized riding program that put safety and learning first. The RRA program was the perfect fit for that, and has brought additional opportunities to our students like the Varsity Letter program and educational clinics.

Tell us about your star lesson horse and why he/she is the best lesson horse around!
It is hard to pick one as a standout- but one of our stars would be Cadet’s Mateo, or “Hobbs.” He is on loan to our school from Paula Alcock and Victoria Kirby, and he has helped teach our students who are moving out of the beginner divisions about how to really horse show. He is so patient, brave and consistent. He gives every rider confidence! He can go from jumping around a 2’6” course to leadline with my 5-year-old son. He’s amazing.

Photo and information provided by Emily Frye.
Have an Equine-Related Question to Ask an Expert?
Do you have questions about horse health, tack and equipment or nutrition?

Let experts in the sport answer your questions!

Submit questions here for a chance to have your question answered by an expert and featured in a future zone news update.
Have You Enrolled?
Enrollment is open for several USHJA programs, and prices will increase for some programs as the year goes on.

Green Hunter Incentive Program
$350 until February 1

International Hunter Derby
$350 until February 1

Young Jumper Championships
Click here for enrollment prices and to enroll
Affiliate Member Organization News
USHJA supports local competitive and educational opportunities for hunter/jumper equestrians through its zone structure and Affiliate organization members.

Do you know what Affiliate member organizations are in your zone?
Know Your Zone 3 Committee Members
  • Oliver Kennedy, Chair
  • Streett Moore, Vice Chair
  • Diane Tate, Treasurer
  • Andrew Ellis
  • Rachel Howell
  • Brooke Kemper
  • Tracy Magness
  • Alden Moylan
  • Deloise Noble-Strong
  • Mike Rosser
  • Sandra Ruiz
  • Catherine Schlaeppi
  • Cricket Stone
  • Eric Straus, non-voting advisor
Special thanks to these members who serve our zone! For more information about the committee and contact information, click here.
Upcoming Events and Deadlines
February

March

April

May
USHJA Official Sponsors
USHJA Sponsors & Partners
Photos by: Tricia Booker, Terisé Cole, Kaitlyn Karssen, Shawn McMillen Photography, Tori Bilas, Jump Media, Rachel Sowinski and Louise Taylor.
United States Hunter Jumper Association | (859) 225-6700 | ushja.org