Adult Amateur Hunter Recognition

The USHJA is excited to announce we will be recognizing the Adult Amateur competitors of the National Hunter Classic. The high score Adult Amateur in each of the six National Hunter Classic Regions will receive a Charles Owen Helmet at the end of competition year.

Whether an end goal or a stepping stone toward competing in an International Hunter Derby, the USHJA National Hunter Classics have often proven some of the most exciting and coveted classes at competitions nationwide, while educating athletes, both human and equine in the time honored tradition of showing hunters.

For more information on the USHJA National Hunter Classic see the USEF Rulebook, HU189 and the Official Class Specifications, or contact Kelley Mallery at 859.225.6717

2012 Hunter Derby Finals

The USHJA International Hunter Derby, now in its fourth season (2011-12), has proven to be a successful program for the nation's show hunters. With the growing popularity of the program, USHJA has seen an increase in demand from the membership to provide a "derby" experience for a greater number of riders and owners. USHJA has adjusted some specifications for the 2012 International Hunter Derby Finals, presented by Dietrich Equine Insurance

FORMAT

• The 2012 Finals will consist of a Classic Round on Friday morning for all entrants, and the top 30 horses from the Classic Round will return for the Handy Round on Saturday evening.
• A $15,000 Consolation Round, supported by Moyer Farm, LLC, will be offered at the 2012 Finals for the next-highest scoring horses not qualifying for the Handy Round.

QUALIFYING

• All horses that have earned $500 in derby prize money will be automatically eligible to compete at the Finals.

PRIZE MONEY

• The $100,000 purse will be distributed through 20th place in the Final Round.

The USHJA International Hunter Derby 2010-11 series and finals featured 44 qualifying classes, 345 entries and $670,000 in prize money. The 2011-12 series and finals, presented by Dietrich Equine Insurance, began on June 2 and will continue through June 1, 2012.

Please visit ushja.org to view the current schedule and check back frequently as qualifying classes will be added through November 1. For more information, contact Kelley Mallery at 859.225.6717

2011 Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session Riders Announced

USHJA and the Emerging Athletes Program Committee have invited the following riders to attend the 2011 EAP National Training Session to be held at Country Ridge Stables in Mundelein, IL on November 17-20, 2011. Riders will have the opportunity to work with some of the country's top clinicians including Peter Wylde, Melanie Taylor, Mindy Bower, Jennifer Alfano and Eliza Shuford-Hucks.

The EAP National Training Session will also be offered as a TCP Clinic. Professionals may audit this event to complete the educational requirement of the Trainers Certification Program. Auditors are also welcome! For more information visit Country Ridge Stables or contact Kimber Ditallo

October Award Deadline

The following USHJA Award Deadlines are coming up in the beginning of October, please visit the Award website for more information on each award.

• Amateur Sportsmanship Award - Nominations due October 7, 2011, Nomination Form
• The Mrs. A.C. Randolph Owners Legacy Award - Nominations due October 7, 2011, Nomination Form
• USHJA nominations for the USEF Youth Sportsman's Award - October 1, 2011
• USHJA Young Horseman's Award - October 1, 2011

WCHR Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show

The 2011 WCHR Finals will be held October 3-9, 2011 during the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Each year the top ten nationally ranked riders in each WCHR category, as well as the top six to eight riders from each region are invited to compete in their respective WCHR Challenge. The points earned from the Challenge classes are added to points previously earned at WCHR Member Events and the CCHS to crown eight WCHR National Champions. The top 6 WCHR Professionals in the country compete on Friday evening, October 7th for the title of "World Champion Hunter Rider".

2011 WCHR Schedule of Events at Capital Challenge

Vital Support Staff Award

The USHJA has created a new award to honor the support staff of our sport, whose current role is essential to the success of our horse shows often working behind the scenes. These announcers, starters, secretaries, technical coordinators, facility managers and their crews, ring crews and assistants of every type, who every day assist in moving our sport forward, are often overlooked and unacknowledged when awards are being distributed. Many of these individuals have worked in our discipline for decades and we want to recognize their contributions through this award.

As you consider who you might nominate, think of those individuals who have helped make your competition or educational experience a little easier and more enjoyable. Nominees do not need to be active members of the USHJA. This award is meant for those individuals who are currently not participating as a competitor, rider, owner, "A" show manager or licensee, but rather someone who provides the support that makes showing, judging and managing competitions and participating in educational events something to enjoy. Minimum qualifications are 20 years actively working in our discipline in a support role.

Each year we will honor two recipients of this award at the USHJA Annual Meeting. One honoree will be from the east and one from the west with the Mississippi River serving as the dividing line. Nominations are open to the membership and will also be solicited from the USHJA Competition Management, Officials and Stewards Committees. Please include a detailed description of the nominee's contribution to and role within our sport

For more information contact Kristyn Kay at 859.225.6708.

2012-13 Derby Applications Re-Open!

The USHJA High Performance Hunter Committee, with approval of the USHJA Board of Directors, decided to remove the limit on the number of competitions allowed to host USHJA International Hunter Derby classes, starting with the 2012-13 Qualifying Series. Therefore the application process for hosting a USHJA International Hunter Derby class between June 2, 2012-June 1, 2013 has been re-opened through November 1, 2011, to accommodate competitions that may choose to apply under the new fee structure. This time period is the twelve (12) month qualifying period for the USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals to be held in 2013. Completed applications must be received in the USHJA office or postmarked on or before 5 pm Eastern Time on November 1st to be considered.

Zone 4 Northern Finals Cancelled

In hopes of preventing the potential exposure and spread of the equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) the Zone 4 Northern Finals at Gallop in the Glen Horse Show in Newmarket, TN on October 6-8 has been cancelled.

The Zone 4 Hunter Committee has rescheduled the Northern Finals to be held at the Atlanta Fall Classic I in Conyers, GA on November 9-13, 2011.

Click Here for more information.

2011 USHJA Trainer Certification Program Clinics

The USHJA is now offering standard Trainer Certification Program Clinics (TCP Clinics) as well as Trainer's Symposiums. Attendance at a recognized USHJA Trainer Certification Program Clinic will count towards the enrollment requirements for the Trainer Certification Program.

Click Here for a complete list of TCP Clinics.

* This TCP Clinic is being held in conjunction with the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program.

USHJA 2011 Clinics Calendar

The USHJA Clinics Program is dedicated to providing clinics throughout the country to the members of USHJA. For a complete list of USHJA clinics visit the Clinics Calendar. For questions please contact Carrie Vaught.