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.

The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce that applications are open for zone grants and scholarships including:

New in 2021, the USHJA Hunter Team Challenge offers a unique team experience for riders competing in the 2’-2’6” Children’s Pony Hunters, 2’6” Low Child/Adult Hunters and 3’ Children’s/Adult Amateur Hunter divisions.

Riders also have an opportunity to earn bonus Zone Horse of the Year Points in their respective divisions.

There are three challenges in 2021 including:

Hunter Team Challenge - East

August 4-8, 2021

New York Horse & Pony

HITS-on-the-Hudson

Saugerties, N.Y.

Click here to view the other dates and locations

Applications for the 2021 USHJA Emerging Athletes Program close April 1! Click here to view the complete list of sessions.

Sessions in or near Zone 1 include:

Congratulations to our 2020 Horse of the Year and Stirrup Cup Champions!

This year's HOTY Roster, which lists members who earned ribbons through the year-end awards program, is available digitally here.

Congratulations to 2020 Stirrup Cup Champions!

Ribbons and awards are currently being mailed to recipients for both HOTY and Stirrup Cup.

To learn more about HOTY and to view standings, click here.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming USHJA Webinars:

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.

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.

Learn more about VanderZicht Stables LLC, a USHJA Recognized Riding Academy in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. We spoke with Lauren VanderZicht about the program.

There are opportunities for all ages and levels in the hunter/jumper discipline. We have built an outstanding lesson, IEA and show program. We strive for an encouraging, safe, and successful experiences, whether you are taking your first lesson or showing at a top rated competition. Sharing the love of the horse makes us a community which our riders enjoy at VS Stables.

I value being a credible riding academy through USHJA. This demonstrates to our clients and to the public that we take our care, safety and instruction seriously. Our students can take comfort knowing we are professionals that are furthering ourselves with continued education. I am also a TCP trainer, which demonstrates the knowledge and drive to be successful in this industry.

Goldie is very special to me. We worked hard together to create a relationship based on patience and trust. Fourteen years later Goldie has helped many riders learn what it is to ride a beautiful, talented, kind OTTB. She now enjoys teaching beginner riders how to trot, canter and teach them how to jump their first jump at age 24.

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.

Registration is open for the 2021 USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and USHJA Adult HQC.

With the aim of encouraging education and recognizing equestrians who have exceptional horsemanship knowledge, both HQC and Adult HQC allow equestrians of all ages to put their horsemanship expertise to the test.

USHJA supports local competitive and educational opportunities for hunter/jumper equestrians through its zone structure and Affiliate organization members.

Learn more about your Zone 1 Affiliates:

Learn more about National Affiliates:

With the 2021 competition year underway, don't forget to check your standings for Zone Horse of the Year! Click here to check standings. Please direct any questions or inquiries to USEF, attention Sport Data Department customercare@usef.org.