Dates, Locations, and Clinicians Announced for 2026 MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Sessions

Applications Now Open Through April 1

Lexington, Ky.—Feb. 2, 2026—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce dates, locations, and clinicians for the 2026 MZ Farms /USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Sessions. This year's 10 clinics will feature mounted sessions led by Linda Allen, Cara Anthony, Jeff Cook, Karen Healey, Cynthia Hankins, Vinton Karrasch, Candice King, Nicole Shahinian-Simpson, Callan Solem, and Julie Winkel. Chris Eadline, Jennifer Fessler, Tracy Forman, Emma Lane, Nikki Orna, Colleen Reed, Nanci Snyder, and Sheryl Sutherby will lead stable management sessions. Applications are now open and will close on April 1.

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

June 1-5 at Wills Park Equestrian Center in Alpharetta, Ga.
June 3-7 at Paso Robles Horse Park in Paso Robles, Calif.
June 10-14 at Maplewood Stables in Reno, Nev.
June 15-19 at Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, Texas.
June 24-28 at Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colo.
June 29-July 3 at Centenary University in Hackettstown, N.J.
July 8-12 at Midway University in Midway, Ky.
July 13-17 at Mt. Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass.
July 22-26 at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C.
July 27-31 at Albion College in Albion, Mich.

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 .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. They must also complete the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Level One Quiz with a score of 80% or higher before the April 1 application deadline.

The Emerging Athletes Program also offers a non-riding opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about the behind-the-scenes management of top-level equine athletes and competition barns. Non-riding applicants must be 16 years of age or older as of December 1 of the current competition year, submit an EAP application, and have three individuals submit an EAP Recommendation Form on their behalf no later than April 1 to be considered for this opportunity.

Riders and non-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 non-riders will be invited to attend the National Training Session based on their riding, 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 USHJA Foundation will award up to $6,000 to EAP participants to help offset the cost of attending a Regional Training Session or the National Training Session, with grants not to exceed $500 per recipient. For more information and to apply, visit ushja.org/grants. EAP grant applications must be completed by May 15.

The USHJA thanks title sponsor MZ Farms for supporting the Emerging Athletes Program and National Training Session; Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Parlanti, and Nutrena; Supporting Sponsors Essex Classics, Schneiders, SmartEquine, Taylor Harris Insurance Services, and YETI.

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

Photos: Terisé Cole/USHJA, Ibach Media