Participants Announced for 2020 USHJA Virtual Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals

Lexington, Ky.—Oct. 6, 2020—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the 48 members who will be participating in this year's Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals and Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals, both of which to be held virtually.

Originally set to be held at the George M. Humphrey Equestrian Center at Lake Erie College, the event has been adjusted to be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The inaugural Adult HQC Nationals, originally to be held at the Capital Challenge Horse Show for adult amateur participants 21 years of age or older, is also moving online.

“We are excited to be able to create a virtual format to host HQC Nationals this year and give our members a chance to compete and further their horsemanship knowledge,” Terri Young, chair of the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Program Committee, said. “We are hopeful that the format we have created will be a positive experience for members, while also being mindful of the safety of our members during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Virtual HQC Nationals will be held October 26-November 7 and will include multiple phases of competition similar to the in-person competition. The USHJA congratulates this year’s participants:

HQC Participants

  • Toni Anderson, Alameda, Calif. 
  • Cate Bates, Montclair, N.J.
  • Devyn Borden, Purcellville, Va. 
  • Kylie Cohen, Bloomfield Twp, Mich. 
  • Laurie Cromer, Jones, Okla. 
  • Kayla Daugherty, Union, Ky. 
  • Fiona Flavin, Los Angeles, Calif. 
  • Liliana Franzese, Ann Arbor, Mich. 
  • Angelina Franzese, Ann Arbor, Mich. 
  • Katie Glass, Boulder, Colo. 
  • McKenna Goodson, Amherst, Mass. 
  • Avery Hicks, Bullard, Texas
  • Rebecca Hopkins, Northville, Mich. 
  • Anna Mansur, Ridgefield, Wash. 
  • Ian McFarlin, Tallahassee, Fla. 
  • Walter Miller, Charlotte, N.C.
  • Genevieve Munson, Rogers, Ark. 
  • Karina Patel, Lafayette, Colo. 
  • Lainie Rubin, Columbia, S.C.
  • Ruthie Ruhl, Mt. Pulaski, Ill. 
  • Claire Salter, El Dorado Hills, Calif. 
  • Ariana Schneider, Clarksville, Tenn. 
  • Joshua Shamah, Brooklyn, N.Y.
  • Kaitlyn Tunick, Santa Clarita, Calif.  

Adult HQC Participants

  • Holly Adams, Huddleston, Va. 
  • Paige Anderson, Beaverdam, Va. 
  • Kathrine Avison, Portland, Ore. 
  • Carrie Brent, Hampstead, Md. 
  • Cristy Drake, Omaha, Neb. 
  • Cynthia Flavin, Los Angeles, Calif. 
  • Kristi Flis, Falls Church, Va. 
  • Kos Gilbert, Ann Arbor, Mich. 
  • Jennifer Giraldin, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. 
  • Stephanie Grissom, Wharton, Texas
  • Peggy Kline, Torrance, Calif. 
  • Amanda Larder, Waterford, Conn. 
  • Kathryn Luke, Mclean, Va. 
  • Dawn Mazzaccaro, Montville, N.J.
  • Delana McFarlin, Tallahassee, Fla. 
  • Lisa Munro, Longmont, Colo.
  • Lauren Obermeyer, Hamilton, Ohio
  • Sydney Smith, Madison, Conn. 
  • Sonya Svaty, Gurnee, Ill. 
  • Amanda Tourtellot, Danielson, Conn. 
  • Kendra Ward, North Canton, Ohio
  • Monica Waters, Wadmalaw Island, S.C.
  • Angela Yates, Indianapolis, Ind. 
  • Courtney Youell, Snohomish, Wash. 

Virtual HQC Nationals will begin with an online written exam for participants to take at their convenience. The top scorers in the written exam will be invited to participate in the interview portion that will consist of two essay questions that participants will answer in a video interview with the HQC Committee. The top four finalists will move on to the practicum, where they will be asked to demonstrate a series of horsemanship techniques also via video interview.

There will also be an educational seminar during Virtual HQC Nationals that participants will be able to attend to further their horsemanship knowledge.

A virtual awards presentation will be held Sunday, November 8, announcing the top scorers on each section as well as an overall winner. The USHJA thanks sponsors Boy-O-Boy Bridleworks, Charles Owen, CWD, Essex Classics, FITS, Parlanti and Spy Coast Farm for donating prizes for the event.

The USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge encourage education and recognize equestrians who have exceptional horsemanship knowledge by putting their horsemanship knowledge to the test for a chance to win great prizes. To learn more about HQC and Adult HQC, visit ushja.org/HQC and ushja.org/AdultHQC.