Dates, Locations and Clinicians Announced for 2023 MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Sessions

Applications Now Open Through April 1

Lexington, Ky.—Feb. 1, 2023—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce dates, locations and clinicians and open applications for the 2023 MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Sessions. This year's 10 clinics will feature mounted sessions led by Jeff Cook, Joe Fargis, Cynthia Hankins, Candice King and Julie Winkel. Tracy Forman, Julia Hogan, Colleen Reed, Nanci Snyder, Jennifer Fessler and Erica McKeever will lead stable management sessions. Applications will close on April 1.

This year's Regional Training Sessions will be held at the following locations:

• June 5-9 at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, led by Cynthia Hankins and Nanci Snyder
• June 7-11 at Midway University in Midway, Kentucky, led by Julie Winkel and Erica McKeever
• June 12-16 at Centenary University in Long Valley, New Jersey, led by Jeff Cook and Tracy Forman
• June 13-17 at Paso Robles Horse Park in Paso Robles, California, led by Candice King and Nanci Snyder
• June 19-23 at Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, led by Joe Fargis and Colleen Reed
• June 26-30 at Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado, led by Candice King and Nanci Snyder
• July 5-9 at Elvenstar Farm in Moorpark, California, led by Jeff Cook and Colleen Reed
• July 10-14 at Fox Lea Farm in Venice, Florida, led by Joe Fargis and Julia Hogan
• July 26-30 at Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia, led by Cynthia Hankins and Jennifer Fessler

• August 1-5 at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina, led by Candice King and Tracy Forman

The Emerging Athletes Program is open to Junior, Amateur and Professional members 12 years of age or older as of December 1 of the current competition year and is offered at 0.90m and 1.0m fence heights. Riders interested in participating must complete and return the application, associated fee and three letters of recommendation to USHJA by April 1. Returning in 2023, those wanting to participate in the mounted session or the stable management session will need to complete the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Level One Quiz with a score of 80% or higher before the April 1 application deadline. 

Riders accepted into the Emerging Athletes Program begin by participating in a five-day Regional Training Session, during which they have the opportunity to work with top riding and stable manager clinicians. Riders provide their own horses for the Regional Training Session and provide all care themselves.

Once the Regional Training Sessions conclude, 16 riders and a select number of stable managers will be invited to attend the National Training Session based on their riding and stable-management skills and potential shown during their Regional Training Session. Only members between 12 and 25 years of age as of December 1 of the current competition year are eligible for the National Training Session. The dates and location for the 2023 MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session will be announced at a later date.

Each USHJA Zone offers a minimum of two grants to EAP participants to help offset the cost of attending a Regional Training Session or the National Training Session. For more information, visit ushja.org/zones, select your home zone, then click on "Grants and Scholarships." EAP Grant applications must be completed by April 1.

Held for the second year is the Stable Management Trainee Program, which offers a non-riding component to a select number of participants who are interested in learning more about the behind-the-scenes management of top-level equine athletes and competition barns. Participants will shadow the stable management clinician at their selected Regional Training Session and receive more intensive instruction on horse care and management, providing an immersive learning experience on managing a barn and competition horses under the guidance of some of the top stable managers in our sport. 

Members interested in the Stable Management Trainee program must submit an application, associated fee and three recommendations no later than April 1 to be considered.

For more information about the MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program, visit ushja.org/EAP.

Photos: Mosaic Photography, Rachel Milewski/USHJA