USHJA Affiliate Sportsmanship Awards Program

The goal of the USHJA Affiliate Sportsmanship Awards Program is to recognize outstanding juniors, amateurs, professional riders, and riding instructors who exemplify good horsemanship, sportsmanship and integrity for the sport and exhibitors.

This awards program is a benefit of the USHJA Affiliate Membership, but participation is voluntary. As of March 2008 we have 32 Affiliate organizations participating in the Affiliate Sportsmanship Awards Program - click here. For a complete listing of 2008 Affiliate Organizations click here.

Each USHJA recognized affiliate organization has the opportunity to participate in the program to benefit their members. Affiliate organizations must renew their USHJA Affiliate membership before February 1, 2008 to be eligible to submit award winners. Organizations are not required to award all 3 awards each year, if their membership does not feel they have a suitable candidate for an award. The nominees must be current members of USHJA and the accolades for the candidates must be earned from December 1st- September 7th of each competition year. Each affiliate organization's award winners will be selected by the individual criteria based on the choice of each affiliate. Each participating affiliate organization must submit their individual criteria to the office before Friday, August 1, 2008.

The names, biographies and pictures of each junior, amateur and professional award winners must be submitted to USHJA by September 6, 2008.

In addition to the Individual Affiliate Sportsmanship Awards there will be 12 Regional Affiliate Awards, consisting of one amateur, junior, professional, and riding instructor from each region. The Regional Affiliate Sportsmanship Awards will be decided by four separate staff appointed sub-committees, made up of three impartial committee members from each region. Each Individual Affiliate Award winner must submit the following to be considered for a Regional Affiliate Award: a biography, 200 word essay and a recommendation. In addition to this information the sub-committees will decide on each regional winner by selecting the individuals that demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the USHJA and their affiliate through good sportsmanship. The USHJA staff will compile all information submitted and supply it to each sub-committee.

**In an effort to geographically balance the affiliate organizations and their membership, the country is grouped into regions. Please visit the Affiliates link.

Each Affiliate Award Winner must submit each of the following forms for consideration by September 6, 2008:
Junior Forms: Junior Biography, Junior essay and Nominee Recommendation Form
Amateur Forms: Amateur Biography, Amateur essay and Nominee Recommendation Form
Professional Forms: Professional Biography, Professional essay and Nominee Recommendation Form
Riding Instructor Forms: Riding Instructor Biography, Riding Instructor Essay and Nominee Recommendation Form

AWARDS
Individual Sportsmanship Award Winners
Each junior, amateur and professional winner will receive:
 • USHJA Gift
 • Framed Certificate
 • Yearbook

Regional Sportsmanship Award Winners
In addition to the individual awards each regional winner will receive:
 • Complimentary Active USHJA membership for the upcoming competition year
 • A "keeper" trophy
 • Complimentary annual meeting registration and ticket to the Evening of Equestrians Awards Dinner, where the regional awards will be presented.

AFFILIATE YEARBOOK
The Affiliate Awards Yearbook will be published on an annual basis and distributed to each participating Affiliate organization. Each winner from the participating affiliates will be eligible to have their biography and photograph published in the yearbook. Biography submissions for the yearbook are due to USHJA office by Friday, September 6, 2008. We will work with each organization with the September deadline while trying to make sure everyone is included in this yearbook.

AFFILIATE AWARDS RESULTS
    •  2007 Winners
    •   Archive: 2006 Winners

*For more information on the Affiliates Sportsmanship Award Program or to Affiliate your organization please contact Christine Kennedy at 859-825-6009 or ckennedy@ushja.org*