The USHJA Board of Directors voted to move the 2020 USHJA Annual Meeting to a virtual format.

Meeting dates have been extended to accommodate more educational sessions and opportunities, and to avoid overlapping meetings. The virtual Annual Meeting will now be held November 30-December 11.

Click here to learn more about Annual Meeting. More details will be announced soon.

Congratulations to our members competing in the virtual Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals this year!

HQC Participants

Adult HQC Participants

HQC Nationals will be online October 26-November 7.

The USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Northwest Championship saw Quinn Partridge pilot Emily Steckler's Wonderland to the top spot at the Northwest Spectacular in Wilsonville, Oregon, on August 27. Corene Smith and Copacabana, owned by Hannah Scheuer, claimed the reserve champion title, and Heather Macdonald led Stephanie James' Cascade to third.

"I thought both rounds were consistent and the mare, Wonderland, jumped quite well, receiving scores of 85 and 86, respectively. The first course had 11 obstacles and I felt that the mare gave it her all throughout the entire course. She then came back and continued to be brilliant in the second round," said Partridge.

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

The USHJA Puissance Challenge Fundraiser is a friendly barn challenge that puts jumping skills to the test while raising money for the Equestrian Helmet Safety Initiative!

From October 1-31, host your own puissance challenge, where riders of all levels can compete in divisions from ground poles to over 4'.

"NW Spectacular was my first show in the Pacific Northwest in 2020 after being in California for Thermal and Sonoma. It was great to be home and I was glad to put in solid rounds. I’m just happy to be showing after so many shows were cancelled in the spring."

"My equitation horse is a mare named Charm. She is a 10-year-old Warmblood from Equitop Farms in Canada. I’ve been riding her for two years. Charm is an amazing partner because she is so smart and has her own drive to do well. Charm is always on my team! I’m very lucky to get to ride her. I think my rides Sunday were consistent and I had a lot of fun!"

"I really liked the championship format. It was good practice for the intensity of finals. I enjoyed showing the judges my riding over two different courses and a test. I historically haven’t enjoyed the test phase of medals but they are finally getting easier for me."

"I have been fortunate enough to compete in the USHJA Gladstone Cup West for the last two years, finishing fifth overall this year. This was my second time riding in the USHJA Zone 9 Equitation Championship. I was Reserve Champion last year."

"My goal is to continue improving my accuracy and consistency on Charm. I got a junior jumper last year named All Faith, and I can see now how my equitation foundation will help me with her. Hopefully I will be able to do bigger classes with Faith in the future."

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

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

The American National Riding Commission has several virtual competitions and educational opportunities for members happening now and coming up!

The shadbellies and scarlet coats seen in Derby classes these days carry on traditions from foxhunting.

Horse show hunter classes have their origins in events for recognized hunt members to compete for “best suitable to hunt” awards over outside courses that simulated the hunt field. These classes were mostly in the Working Hunter division and required riders and horses to wear “appointments,” tack and attire required by foxhunting for safety. Over time, amateur, junior, and even pony hunter divisions featured appointments, or “formal attire,” classes.

Stock ties, plain bridles, and string gloves under the saddle flap in case of rain are just a few of the field hunt details that were judged in appointments classes.

Curious about some other traditions that come from the hunt field? Check out the Looking Back article in the latest issue of In Stride.

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