There's plenty to love in the February USHJA News & Updates! Check out new programs, upcoming live streams, including the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, and other news and information that we hope will make your experience in the sport more enjoyable.
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Everything You Need to Know for This Spectacular Week of Hunters
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It is WCHR Week at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Throughout the week classic winners in WCHR sections are recognized with coolers and trophies, thanks to our
generous donors.
As part of the week, the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular returns to the International Ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center this Saturday night. Riders compete all week long to secure a coveted spot in the night class. Opening ceremonies and awards will take place at approximately 6 p.m. with the first horse on course at 6:35 p.m.
Where to Watch
If you're at the Winter Equestrian Festival, join us at The Spectacular Hunt Gala for the best seats in the house to watch the top hunters compete in this thrilling night class. Table sales for the special evening in the International Club are now on sale at
www.ushja.org/wchrspectacular or swing by the USHJA tent adjacent to the Gene Mische Grand Hunter Ring.
If you can't be there in person, watch live on
tv.coth.com!
Special Awards
Tune in early to catch special awards presented before the class, including the WCHR Hunter of the Year, which is being presented to Private Practice this year. Owner Brad Wolf will be awarded the WCHR Peter Wetherill Cup, as Private Practice becomes the eighth horse to receive this prestigious honor.
Read more
Social Media
Follow all the action and share your own experience with the following hashtags #WCHRWeek #WCHR #SpectacularMoments
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Online WCHR Spectacular Hunt Gala Silent Auction
Check out these incredible offerings and support the WCHR Program by participating in the online WCHR Spectacular Hunt Gala Silent Auction at
www.ushja.org/wchrauction. Bidding ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 16.
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Receive 10% off ALL Parlanti products THIS WEEK ONLY when you visit Parlanti at the WEF Equis Boutique & show your USHJA member card!
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Pros, Juniors, Amateurs: USHJA Opens Applications for New 1.40/1.45m Platinum Jumper Championships
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Applications are now open for the inaugural USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships, which offer Professionals, Juniors and Amateurs competing at 1.40/1.45m team and individual competition, as well as an opportunity to qualify for the 2020 USHJA Platinum Masters Training Session with top national and international industry experts.
USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships will be held as follows:
- USHJA Zones 1 & 2, HITS-on-the-Hudson III, Saugerties, NY, June 5-9, 2019 - Apply by: April 21
- USHJA Zones 3 & 4, Tryon Summer, Mill Spring, NC, July 10-14, 2019 - Apply by: May 26
- USHJA Zones 5 & 6, Showplace Summertime III, Crete, IL, July 17-21, 2019 - Apply by: June 2
- USHJA Zones 7 & 8, Hipico Sante Fe, Santa Fe, NM, July 24 - 28, 2019 - Apply by: June 10
- USHJA Zones 9 & 10, National Sunshine Series II, Thermal, CA, November 5-10, 2019 - Apply by: September 23
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Team Championship Experience for Hunter Riders
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Applications are now open for the 2019 USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships, presented by
SmartPak.
The Championships, organized by zone, provide exciting team and individual competition for Children and Adult Amateur Hunter riders.
Interested riders may apply at
ushja.org/chaahunter to have their points count toward qualifying. Qualifying periods and application deadlines vary by zone.
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Sport History Spotlight: Making the Traditional Hunter Classic Modern
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The 2019 WCHR season is underway in many regions this month, including the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular at the Winter Equestrian Festival this week. Founded in 1997, the Hunter Spectacular is known for courses that recall class specifications requiring obstacles that "simulate those encountered in the hunt field" and opportunities to show a horse’s brilliance through handy turns and long gallops. At the same time, the judges look for the quite elegance of today’s hunters. All this under the lights in front of a packed house of spectators! Winners have included Strapless, Brunello, Ovation, and Catch Me.
Here’s a look back to a traditional 1951 working hunter class with Raymond Burr and Moonshine showing spectacular form over a 4-foot post and rail.
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Photo credit: Marshall Hawkins
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USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships: Get on the Pathway!
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If you've been reading about the USHJA Gold Star Clinics -
East and
West wondering how people get selected, here it is... It all starts at the USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships.
Applications are now open for the 2019 USHJA Zone Jumper Championships, which offer team and individual jumper competition for junior and amateur riders at 1.10/1.15m, 1.20/1.25m, 1.30/1.35m levels.
Wild Card applications for the upcoming Gold Star Clinic - Central, April 16-20 at World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio, close March 1. Interested in participating?
Click here to learn more.
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Helping Members Reach Their Goals In and Out of the Ring
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Do you have big goals? The USHJA and its Foundation are pleased to offer numerous grant and scholarship opportunities! Let us help you reach your goals.
Zone Grants and Scholarships Coming Soon
Did you know that each USHJA Zone Committee allocates funds to support members each year? Next week, USHJA will be opening grant and scholarship opportunities in your zone. Visit
ushja.org, find your zone on the menu and choose Grants & Scholarships.
$25,000 Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education
Designed to encourage further education among equestrians, this scholarship will award up to $25,000 to one USHJA member to be used for college, graduate, trade or professional school.
Learn more and apply!
Gochman Family Grant for USEF Pony Finals
Each year, up to three individuals who exemplify sportsmanship, tenacity and horsemanship are selected to receive the Gochman Grant, which provides the opportunity to compete at USEF Pony Finals, presented by Collecting Gaits Farm.
Learn more and apply!
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Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Applications Open, New 3-Foot Sections Offered to All Ages
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The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the applications are open for the 2019 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program. Ten Regional Training Sessions are offered to riders ages 25 and under who are proficient at 1.10-1.35m jumper courses. Select sessions will offer a 3-foot section to introduce riders of all ages to the program.
Riders who are interested in participating in a session can apply online at
www.ushja.org/EAP. The deadline for applications for the first six sessions is April 15, and the deadline for applications for the remaining sessions is May 13.
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"The EAP is an incredible learning experience for young athletes who are passionate and dedicated to the sport and want to advance their riding and horsemanship skills."
-
Sally Ike, USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Committee Chair
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Video of the Month: Longeing Equipment
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Longeing can be a wonderful training tool for rider and horse if used in an appropriate manner with correct equipment and in a safe and secure location. It is also important for trainers to teach and enforce proper longeing techniques employed by their staff, both at home and at competitions.
Check out this short educational video, created by the USHJA Horse and Rider Advocates Committee, which provides guidance on leg protection and equipment for longeing.
We encourage you to share this video, available in both English and
Spanish, with employees, barn mates and friends.
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Educational Opportunities for All Ages & Levels
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Is advancing your horsemanship, improving your riding, or committing to learning something new on your list of goals for 2019? Let us help you achieve your educational goals!
USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Is Now Open!
Members 21 and under are invited to participate in this exciting online quiz! From June 15 to July 15, the HQC Stable Challenge is open to ALL AGES!
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Check out this free resource to obtain information about upcoming Hunter/Jumper clinics by area.
Find a lesson program that emphasizes horsemanship, safety of horse and rider, and offers hunter/jumper riding lessons taught by qualified instructors.
Are you a professional and want to demonstrate to your clients your commitment to professional development and continuing education? Become a USHJA Certified Trainer!
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Know Before You Show: Rules Now in Effect for 2019 Competition Year
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Do you know what new rules are now in effect for the 2019 competition year? Check out this handy guide to help you Know Before You Show that covers important Hunter/Jumper rules now in effect including:
Safe Sport Training Requirement for Adults with USEF Active Competing Memberships
Don’t forget! If you’re an adult (18+) with a US Equestrian Competing Membership you must complete the USEF Safe Sport Training to compete in 2019.
Microchipping Requirement
All horses competing in classes that require a USHJA Horse Registration are now required to be microchipped to compete.
Click here to see frequently asked questions about the microchipping requirement.
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Check out this handy guide of important Hunter/Jumper rules now in effect to help you Know Before You Show :
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Catch up on all the latest USHJA news, headlines and event coverage at
www.ushja.org/news or by following us on social media.
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Photo credits: Kaitlyn Karssen, Kristin Rover, Tricia Booker, Rachel Sowinski, Marshall Hawkins
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USHJA Sponsors & Partners
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