February Zone 7 Update
Thank you for being a Zone 7 member! Apply for EAP, learn about the USHJA Hunter Team Challenge, take advantage of Zone Grants and Scholarships and more.
Nomination Period Closes March 1 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.
Have You Heard about the USHJA Hunter Team Challenge?
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 - West
National Sunshine Series II
Desert International Horse Park
Thermal, Calif.

Click here to view the other dates and locations
Applications are Open for USHJA Zone Grants and Scholarships
The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce that applications are open for zone grants and scholarships, including Emerging Athletes Program Grants this year to assist members with attending an EAP Regional Training Session.
Congratulations to our 2020 Horse of the Year and Stirrup Cup Champions
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.

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

Congratulations to 2020 Stirrup Cup Champions!
Reminder: 2020 was the last year for the USHJA Zone Stirrup Cup Program.

Ribbons and awards are currently being mailed to recipients for both HOTY and Stirrup Cup.
Member Spotlight: From Taking Lessons to Teaching
Written by Johanna Jessen

Caroline Ritter was born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and from day one was drawn to not only the horse, but the journey. Beginning her athleticism in dance and gymnastics, Caroline traded out ballet slippers and balance beams for a saddle at 10 years old. The Thanksgiving camp where she began riding sparked her passion that led her to where she is now.

Ritter’s 12 year venture has led her to a realization that riding “isn’t necessarily [her] favorite part of this sport.” Accredited to USHJA’s Emerging Athlete’s Program, Caroline found her interest in stable management. She mentioned that learning the “why” or “how” of “[cleaning] your bit after every ride…[picking] you horse’s hooves before and after you leave the arena,” and that when clipping water buckets up, the “clip needs to face the wall” was an “eye opener.”

Caroline has traveled between Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and now Florida at different farms operating in breeding, lessons, and competition.

Photo: Caroline, center, holding Whistling Grace Annalee, and Avery Donato, left, is on Mr. Decaf’s Happy Feet
Apply for the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program by April 1
Applications for the 2021 USHJA Emerging Athletes Program will close April 1. Click here to read more about the program and see the full calendar of sessions.

The session in Zone 7:
  • June 14-18 at Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, led by Jim Wofford and stable manager Nanci Snyder
Participate in the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge
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.
Upcoming USHJA Webinars
Mark your calendars for these upcoming USHJA Webinars:

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

Learn more about your Zone 7 Affiliates:
Learn more about National Affiliates:
Check Your 2021 Zone HOTY Points
With the 2021 competition year well 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.
More Recent News
Know Your Zone 7 Committee Members
  • Nancy Jones, Chair
  • Carl Hansen, Vice Chair
  • Joey Brumbaugh, Treasurer
  • Janis Collette
  • Matt Cyphert
  • Valerie Garza
  • Genie Harper
  • Fred Kahn
  • Kalea Maxwell
  • Kelly McCabe-Cyphert
  • John McQueen
  • Patricia Roberts
  • Sandra Tabio
  • Bill Whisenant
Special thanks to these members who serve our zone! For more information about the committee and contact information, click here.
Upcoming Events and Deadlines
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Photos by: Tricia Booker, Tori Bilas, Terisé Cole, Kaitlyn Karssen, Shawn McMillen Photography, Jump Media, Rachel Sowinski and Louise Taylor.
United States Hunter Jumper Association | (859) 225-6700 | ushja.org