May 2020
In this month's eNews, catch up on important notices regarding COVID-19, including qualifying changes for the competition season, and more.
Important Notices Regarding COVID-19
In an effort to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the USHJA has followed suit with US Equestrian's suspension of recognized competition through May 31, 2020, extending the suspension of all USHJA competitions and events until that date as well.

The USHJA will continue to follow recommendations from the CDC, as well as state and federal government officials, and will monitor the situation closely and reassess its position before the conclusion of the suspension period.
Zone Jumper Team and Platinum Jumper Championship Update
The USHJA regrets to announce the cancellation of the 2020 USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships and USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Championships are set to return in 2021.
Important Qualifying Changes for 2020

Due to the competition suspension, changes have been made to the qualifying requirements for various USHJA Championships.
All horses enrolled in the International Hunter Derby program and eligible to compete in an International Hunter Derby are invited to participate in the 2020 International Hunter Derby Championship.
All horses enrolled in the Green Hunter Incentive program and eligible to compete in a Green Hunter Incentive class are invited to participate in the 2020 Green Hunter Incentive Championships.
The top 130 highest-pointed riders will be accepted to compete at the 2020 USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final - East. The top 100 highest-pointed riders will be accepted to compete at the 2020 USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final - West. Riders may choose to compete at the East or West finals.
All junior riders who enter will be accepted to compete at the 2020 USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal Finals East and West.
Points from a WCHR Members' top two WCHR Member Events will be used to determine the National and Regional standings.

Members may change their region once up until August 31, 2020. Regional Points will not be retroactive. If the final member event of a member's declared region has begun, they cannot request to change regions.
Missed Mary Babick's Virtual Town Hall? Replay it now!
No matter your level of involvement in the sport, we encourage you to stay engaged with discussions about important sport issues, especially during this uncertain time.

Replay USHJA President Mary Babick's Virtual Town Halls where she answers members' important questions, register for upcoming events, and submit your questions and comments here.

Tune into Mary's next virtual town hall on May 20 at 6 p.m. ET. Find more information here .
Through partnership with various feed companies and members' donations, USHJA members and members of USHJA affiliate organizations may receive relief through discounted and fully supplemented feed purchases.​ Keep an eye out for more info regarding donating and applying for aid coming soon!
Introducing USHJA Virtual Clinics!
Introducing the USHJA's newest educational offering—virtual riding clinics! A USHJA Virtual Riding Clinic is modeled after a traditional two-day mounted, live clinic and open to horses and ponies ridden by juniors, amateurs and professionals. Each day, riders are assigned flatwork and jumping exercises to video themselves executing and an expert clinician offers tips and feedback for improvement.

Participating in a virtual clinic is easy. First, select a focus: Hunter, Jumper or Equitation; then select a fence height level; submit a video of the prescribed exercises; and join the two virtual sessions with the clinician and your riding peers. Clinic groups are semi-private (4-6 riders) and meet over two days.
Hunter Virtual Clinic with Chris Wynne
May 28-29 and June 4-5
Video Submission Deadline: May 26
Jumper Virtual Clinic with Jeff Cook
June 8-9 and 15-16
Video Submission Deadline: June 2
Equitation Virtual Clinic
Clinician TBA
Dates TBA
Video Submission Deadline: June 9
USHJA Vice President and Director-At-Large
Nominations Open May 15
The USHJA invites Senior Active or Senior Associate members in good standing to nominate individuals for National Vice President and four Director-At-Large positions beginning May 15. Nominations will close August 14. The timeline for 2020 USHJA elections can be found here, and learn more about the current USHJA leadership structure here.
Check out the Newest Issue of USHJA In Stride, the IHSA Edition!
What's inside?

  • Letter to Members from Peter Cashman
  • Letter to Members from Kevin Price
  • A ‘Bright Restart’ for Muddy Brook Farm
  • Letters From Students
  • Tennessee Tech University Led the Charge to Help Tornado Victims
  • IHSA Regional Champions Photo Galleries
Resources for Licensed Officials
Discover the new Licensed Officials' Resource  page, which offers easy-access updates relevant to USEF Licensed Officials as well as general information about how to become an official! The page also includes a digital version of the printed  2020 USHJA Licensed Officials Roster. Find Judges, Stewards, Course Designers and Certified Schooling Supervisors for both national and FEI level competitions.
Save the Date! 2020 AON/USHJA National Championships
Education Spotlight: Rewatch the HQC Study Hall Webinar
Missed the virtual Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Study Hall with HQC Committee Chair Terri Young? Rewatch and study along here!

This interactive study hall introduces how to get started with HQC, from preparing to take the quizzes to qualifying for HQC Nationals, and includes a study session on the Therapies and Horse Welfare chapters of the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Study Guide.
Don't Miss Out on Upcoming Educational Webinars
May and June are packed with free educational webinars! From a judge's point of view to business basics, save the dates for these upcoming sessions and register in advance to secure your spot.

Find Your Local USHJA Affiliate!
From Alaska to New Hampshire and everywhere in between, locate a USHJA Affiliate near you! In addition to supporting a local organization, affiliates are invited to send their best 2' and 2'6" horse-and-rider combinations to compete in the Affiliate Championships during the AON/USHJA National Championships and that could be you!

Don’t see your favorite organization listed? Encourage them to join our community here.
Sport History Spotlight: Beezie Madden’s IHSA Championships

Beezie (Patton) Madden’s team and individual rider honors at the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association Nationals forecasted her Olympic success. She was a member of the Southern Seminary team that won the IHSA National Championship in 1983 and 1984. Madden won the individual Open over Fences in 1983 as well as the individual Open on the Flat and coveted Cacchione Cup in 1984. 

Madden was a member of the gold medal U.S. Team at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and the silver medal team in 2016. She won individual bronze in 2008. The 1986 Cacchione Cup winner, Peter Wylde of Tufts University, was Madden’s Olympic teammate in 2004.

Madden is an inaugural 2020 inductee of the IHSA Hall of Fame.

Photo: Beezie Madden competing for Southern Seminary. Photo courtesy of the IHSA for the “Partnering in Excellence, USHJA-IHSA” Wheeler Museum Exhibit.
We Want Your Feedback!
The USHJA is conducting a short survey to gauge the level of interest of the hunter/jumper community to returning to competition. Your input and feedback is important to us, and we hope you will take a few minutes to complete this survey.
A team from the University of Florida Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation is conducting a study of injury rates at equestrian competitions with the goal of improving safety practices. This survey study is supported by the USHJA Safety Ad Hoc and is specifically aimed at reviewing falls during competition across all levels and classes of competition.
In Case You Missed It: USEF News
Photos: Terisé Cole, EQ Media, Lisa Barnes, Tori Bilas, Jump Media
USHJA Official Sponsors
USHJA Sponsors & Partners
U.S. Hunter Jumper Association | Phone: (859) 225-6700 | membership@ushja.org