December Zone 9 Update
Thank you for being a Zone 9 member! Catch up on what happened at the USHJA Annual Meeting, see who won annual awards, know about new rules before you show and more.
USHJA Annual Meeting Recap
Zone 9 members attended the USHJA Annual Meeting, presented by World Equestrian Center, December 8-12 in Denver, Colorado.

Members met as a zone and attended a zone educational forum to discuss issues and opportunities in their zones on Zone Day, December 8. During the forum, USHJA President Mary Babick announced the return of the Zone Council, which will serve as a way to increase communication between zone members and the board.

Throughout the rest of the week other committees, working groups and the USHJA Board of Directors met to take care of business and work on upcoming initiatives and plans.

This year, annual meeting featured educational sessions for members, and Michael Henry from the U.S. Center for SafeSport also presented and took questions. Watch his presentation here.

Click here to read about USHJA President Mary Babick's State of the Association speech.

Click here to read a wrap up including rule change proposals that were approved/disapproved by the USHJA Board of Directors.
Know Your Zone 9 Committee Members
  • Clare Warren, Chair
  • Max von Zimmermann, Vice Chair
  • Megan Jordan, Treasurer
  • Nicole Bourgeois
  • Kathryn Hall
  • Jessie Lang
  • Quinn Partridge
  • Martha Price
  • Gayl Russell
  • Corene Smith
  • Nora Thomas
  • Mary von Zimmermann
  • Katherine Wade-Easley
Special thanks to these members who serve our zone! For more information about the committee and contact information, click here.
Know Before You Show 2020
The USHJA is helping members Know Before You Show with a simple guide of rule changes taking effect for the new competition year. Click here to read more.

Click here for a comprehensive list of rule changes that were approved in 2019 for the 2020 competition year.

View the entire 2020 USEF Rulebook here.
USHJA Annual Award Recipients Honored During Evening of Equestrians
USHJA Annual Award recipients were honored during this year's Evening of Equestrians at the USHJA Annual Meeting!
USHJA Affiliate Member Organization News
Affiliate Round Table held during USHJA Annual Meeting

Affiliate members met during the USHJA Annual Meeting to discuss upcoming changes and opportunities, including the addition of the Affiliate Council and Zone Council. The two councils will enhance communication between the Zones, Affiliates and the Board, as well as with the members.

Each Affiliate is encouraged to elect one individual to sit on the Affiliate Regional Group (regions were created by combining USHJA Zones). The Regional Group will be comprised of representatives from each USHJA Affiliate Organization in that area. From the Regional Groups, one individual from each Zone will be elected to sit on the National Affiliate Council and from the National Affiliate Council, one individual will be seated on the USHJA Board of Directors. 

For more information about how to get involved, contact Danae Fryman. And don't forget to renew your affiliate membership for 2020! 
Do You Like the Zone 9 Facebook Page?
For news, updates, member stories, photos and more be sure to like and follow the USHJA Zone 9 Facebook Page!

Have an interesting story to share? Email it here for a chance to be featured in our Zone eNews or on Facebook.
2020 Zone Specifications are Available
Sport History: Fun Facts from the USHJA Wheeler Museum
Sport History Fun Facts: Why is a scarlet riding jacket called a “pink coat”?
 
A Hunter new rule specifies that conventional attire “following the tradition of fox hunting is encouraged and preferred and that judges shall not eliminate a rider for inappropriate attire except for safety.” Traditional fox hunt attire (and USEF rules) call for “scarlet or dark colors.” 
 
Ever wondered why that “scarlet” jacket is called a “pink coat”? Turns out, if the legend is true, that a renowned 18th-century tailor named Thomas Pinque of London designed the first scarlet fox hunting coat with practical matters in mind. He chose a sturdy, warm wool fabric (called Melton) in a deep red to hide the stains if the rider got blood on it while hunting. Each coat was custom-made and soon became a sign of prestige, so it was referred to as a “pinque coat.” The spelling changed with the times.
 
Still considered a sign of prestige, scarlet in fox hunting is reserved for Masters of Foxhounds and hunt staff. In the Hunter ring, scarlet is worn for “formal attire” classes. In the Jumpers, a scarlet jacket is usually reserved for members of the US international team (as it is in many other countries).

National Show Hunter Hall of Famers Rodney Jenkins and Quiet Flite in a formal attire class at Devon, c. 1967. Photo by Budd
Upcoming Events and Deadlines
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Photos: Tricia Booker, Tori Bilas, Terise Cole, Alden Corrigan Media, Diana DeRosa, Kristin Rover and Louise Taylor.
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