Second Annual USHJA Outreach Festivals Wrap Up

Lexington, Ky.—Dec. 14, 2023—Held for the second year, the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to have offered 10 USHJA Outreach Festivals across nine Zones in 2023. The expanded Outreach Festivals were held in Zones 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 throughout July to November, bringing the excitement and thrill of a championship-level competition closer to home for many USHJA members.

"It's a phenomenal experience and the perks are top tier," said competitor Emily Leibley, of Newmanstown, Pennsylvania. "The price is low to enter so it's a great way to get your toes wet [showing]." 

To compete in an Outreach Festival, riders must be a USHJA member and have competed in one Outreach Series competition to qualify. An Outreach Series is a collaboration of 10 or more Outreach Competitions hosted by two or more managers. This year, each Festival was offered with at least three Series for members to qualify and competition ranged from walk trot Hunters to 1.20m Jumpers.

"Coming here gives the kids an opportunity to show and compete at a higher level horse show without them having to spend thousands of dollars," said trainer Alexis Clelan-Liskey, of Newmanstown, Pennsylvania, with Trails End Farm. "[Outreach Festivals] give your students something to work towards and the classes throughout the year are a lot of fun. They also earn points with awesome prizes in the mail such as saddle pads, shirts and ribbons."  

The following Outreach Festivals were offered this year with more than 1,250 competitors. 

• Zone 1: July 4-9 at Fieldstone Show Park in Halifax, Massachusetts, during the New Hampshire Hunter Jumper Association Summer Festival
• Zone 2 South: August 3-6 at Princeton Show Jumping in Princeton, New Jersey, during the Princeton Classic Finale
• Zone 2 North: August 10-13 at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, New York, during the Saratoga Summer Special
• Zone 7: September 8-10 at Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, Texas, during the Texas Rose Sport Horse Cup
• Zone 9: September 8-10 at Washington State Horse Park in Cle Elum, Washington, during the Cascade Finals
• Zone 5 and 6: Sept 15-18 at Ledges Sporting Horses in Roscoe, Illinois, during the Showplace B Medal Finals
• Zone 8: Oct 19-22 at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, during the Arizona Fall I
• Zone 10 North: Oct 26-29 at Huntington Central Park Equestrian in Rancho Murieta, California, during the Huntington Beach Spooktacular
• Zone 10 South: Oct 27-29 at Murieta Equestrian Center in Huntington Beach, California, during the Halloween Championship
• Zone 4: Nov 4-5 at Fox Lea Farm in Venice, Florida, during the Fox Lea November

The USHJA Outreach Program was been established to engage and connect Hunter and Jumper riders, trainers and horse owners with the USHJA by providing the opportunity to earn national recognition in classes from walk trot to 3'0" in Hunter and Equitation sections and .60m-1.20m in Jumper sections at rated and local shows. Any rider may compete in Outreach Hunter, Jumper and Equitation classes, but riders wishing to earn points and national recognition must be a USHJA free Outreach member or any other USHJA member category. At the conclusion of September, the highest pointed Gold level Outreach member in each Zone will earn the Golden Backstage Pass to participate in the  USHJA National Championship's Affiliate sections.

The USHJA Outreach Festivals are set to return in 2024 with an exciting schedule with even more being offered spread across the Zones. A full schedule will be released at a later date. 

The USHJA would like to thank Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena and Parlanti for their support. 

For more information about the USHJA Outreach program, visit ushja.org/outreach. Learn more about the USHJA Outreach Festivals and Series at ushja.org/outreachfestival.

Photos: Andrew Ryback Photography, BearLee Photography, Bryan Nigro Photography, Eye Was Here Photography