The USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Stable Challenge wrapped up July 15.

To participate, at least three junior and/or amateur students per trainer had to take the online Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Practice Quiz between June 15 and July 15.. At the end of the 30-day challenge, the three top scores under each trainer were averaged to provide an overall score and the highest scoring trainer per zone is the winner.

The highest scoring trainer in each USHJA zone wins a unique trainer-inspired award package designed to benefit the entire barn, which includes a gift card from Nutrena, aShapley'sgift set, a one-year USHJA membership, a free 2022 Recognized Riding Academy membership and additional awards from USHJA sponsors. The highest scoring trainer overall will also receive an Essex Classics shirt.

The inaugural USHJA Hunter Team Challenge kicked off over the weekend at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, with more than 20 members teaming up to participate.

Team Yellow, made up of Mia Martin (Naperville, Illinois), Abigail Rigert (Winfield, Illinois), Madeline Stout (St. Louis, Missouri, pictured) and Callie Winkelman (McHenry, Illinois) earned the gold medal after two days of competition.

The silver medal went to Team Teal made up of Sophie Fendler (St. Louis, Missouri), Kyla Figueroa (Houston, Texas), Lillie Granger (Austin, Texas) and Samantha Michael (Plainfield, Illinois), and bronze went to Team Red made up of Shannon Carter (Cape Charles, Virginia), Eliza Cho (West Lake Hills, Texas), Kaylee Dawidiuk (Naperville, Illinois) and Sydney Joiner (Aurora, Illinois).

The 2021 USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - West, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College, held at the Sonoma Horse Park on Thursday, July 22, saw Madison Nadolenco top the class. Bella Primavera and Zoe Brown rounded out the top three, taking second and third.

1. Madison Nadolenco - Couer de Lion - 84 - 88 - 87.5 - 259.5

2. Bella Primavera - Carrico Sun - 87 - 84 - 87 - 258

3. Kate Hagerty - Solitude - 84.75 - 85 - 85 - 254.75

4. Zoe Brown - The Original - 84.5 - 86 - 82 - 252.5

5. Gabrielle Sokolow - Just Cavalli - 89 - 79.50 - 168.5

6. Sophie Bluhm - Munich - 82.5 - 83.5 - 166

7. Alexandra Lipacis - Cimmich X - 81 - 84 - 165

8. Avery Glynn - Carambo Z - 88.5 - 75 - 163.5=

9. Katie Jorczak - G-Star - 79.5 - 83 - 162.5

10. Aedan Mooney - Anthem - 83 - 79 - 162

1.10/1.15m Children's/Adult Amateur Zone Jumper

BRONZE: Zone 7 Team I

Marissa Rose - C'est Lumpi - Zone 7

Brianna Thomas - Qisini Z - Zone 7

Anaabelle Hough - Hennesy - Zone 7

1.20/1.35m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper

GOLD: Zone 7 Team I

Macy White - Torrance - Zone 7

Ava Hernandez - Cupid Shuffle - Zone 7

Corey Diener - Kinetic CSH - Zone 7

BRONZE: Zone 8 Team II

Oliver Close - Jumping Jack ZF - Zone 7

Regan Shill - Pineapple Express - Zone 7

Avery Griffin - Toscane de L'isle - Zone 8

Madison Binford-Wiggins - Don Johnny - Zone 8

The 2021 USHJA Zone Horse of the Year and Equitation Championships are underway.

The following championships and other special classes are set for Zone 7:

By: Johanna Jessen

As summer rolls around, many riders around the country begin preparing to head to the Regional sessions of the Emerging Athletes Program. The EAP, founded in 2009, is a week-long program building the bridge of education both in the saddle and in the stable. Although USHJA’s online description of the program is thorough, what is the week’s experience truly like?

The first truth is that EAP doesn’t start on the first day of the regional session you attend – it starts the moment you receive your acceptance email. Step one is submitting all required paperwork and payments, and step two begins representation. From this point forward, everything a rider does is an embodiment of the program. The more apparent physical preparation for the week includes getting the strength and conditioning in (both rider and horse), done properly by studying the clinician to be ridden with. Out of the saddle, the USHJA provides the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge study guide, which lays out a majority of the topics to be covered at EAP. Packing can be a difficulty for those riders not used to traveling alone. Checklists are an incredible help to ensure each horse and rider are equipped for any situation – emergencies or not.

There is also a layer of communication needed to attend. The riders must be capable and willing to get in touch with hotels for housing as well as host facility to coordinate stalls, hay, shavings, arrival date, health papers, and any other fees that may be included. It is imperative (especially concerning medical information) to be knowledgeable about the rules pertaining to your individual zone as well as host facility.

Upon arriving at EAP, stamina is the goal – marathon, not a sprint. While only four days long, each day somehow holds 48 hours, making for a tiresome clinic. However not a moment goes wasted. Throughout the journey, the Emerging Athletes Program creates riders able to succeed in many careers within showjumping by teaching the skill of incorporating in the saddle time with the many behind-the-scenes parts that keep our athletes healthy and able to continue our sport.

The remaining regional clinics are Tryon International Equestrian Center with Cynthia Hankins and Anne Thornbury (July 28-August 1), and Los Angeles Equestrian Center with Joe Fargis and Nanci Snyder (August 4-8). See the USHJA EAP page or host facility website for auditing opportunities.