January Zone 8 Update
Thank you for being a Zone 8 member! Nominate someone for Zone Committee elections, apply for upcoming programs and grant opportunities, and more.
Nominations Period is 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 the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team and Platinum Jumper Championships
Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team and Platinum Jumper Championships
Zones 7 & 8
July 28 - August 1, 2021
Santa Fe Summer Series Sonrisa Week
Santa Fe, N.M.

Qualifying Start Date: August 25, 2020
Application Deadline and Qualifying Ends: June 13, 2021
Congratulations to Zone 8's Dominic Gibbs
Congratulations to Dominic Gibbs, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, who is participating in the USHJA Gold Star Clinic East at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center February 10-14 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Watch the clinic on Horse & Country TV.
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!
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.

Sessions near Zone 8 include:
  • June 14-18 at Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, led by Jim Wofford and stable manager Nanci Snyder
  • July 14-18 at Sonoma Valley Stables in Petaluma Calif., led by Jeff Cook and stable manager Julia Hogan
  • Aug. 4-8 at Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, Calif., led by Joe Fargis and stable manager Nanci Snyder
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
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.
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.
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.
USHJA 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 8 Committee Members
  • Laurie Grayson, Chair
  • Betsy Checchia, Vice Chair
  • Jenny Paisley, Treasurer
  • Betty Beran
  • Chris Collman
  • Michael Dennehy
  • Brittany Jorgensen
  • Marion Maybank
  • Beth Nielsen
  • Jill Pelzel
  • Danine Summers
  • Allison Wicks
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, Jump Media, Rachel Sowinski and Louise Taylor
United States Hunter Jumper Association | (859) 225-6700 | ushja.org