Voting for USHJA Zone Committee member elections closes July 1.

Senior Active or Senior Associate members in good standing are eligible to participate in the election process.

To vote in Zone elections, members can click here, and select their zone to find a list of candidates, read candidate bios and vote. Each member can select three Hunter and three Jumper candidates.

The USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Stable Challenge is open! Get your barnmates together and put your horsemanship knowledge to the test.

At least three students per trainer are required to complete the online USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Practice Quiz between June 15 and July 15 for their barn to be eligible to win.

Photo: Blue Star Farms hosted Horsemanship Camp to prepare for the USHJA Stable Challenge. Photo provided by Kristin Jacob.

The first regional championships for the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby and USHJA National Hunter Derby took place for the North Central Region at the Split Rock Hunter Jumper Classic I CSI2*, June 9-13, in Lexington, Kentucky.

Congratulations to Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive North Central champions! Kelley Farmer and Knowingly claimed the 3'0"/3'3" while Chris Payne and Gratitude won the 3'6"/3'9" at the Split Rock Jumping Tour in Lexington, Kentucky. Click here for results.

We heard from Heather Cassese from Providence Equestrian Center, a USHJA Recognized Riding Academy in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Excellence in horsemanship is learned as students are taught to properly care for the horse and progressively increase their knowledge of equine science and horse psychology. Students learn correct Hunt Seat Equitation skills allowing them to achieve greater influence of the horse for recreational riding or success in the show ring.

Aspiring and developing riders greatly benefit from a quality equestrian education program that promotes safety, emphasizes horsemanship and sportsmanship in addition to progressive and enjoyable riding lessons.

With 20+ Equine Good Citizens staring in our academy it's hard to choose just one! Our matriarch, Mariah well deserves recognition. She has been expertly teaching riders for 17 years. Mariah is loved by every person who has an opportunity to learn from her.

Nominations are now open for several USHJA Annual Awards. These awards recognize the significant accomplishments of USHJA members in varying aspects of the sport.

Click below for more information about the awards and to nominate someone:

Entries are open for the USHJA Hunter Team Challenge - Central. Don't miss the chance to participate in this fun team competition!

July 21-25

Showplace Summertime III

Lamplight Equestrian Center

Wayne, IL

Mackenzie Poelking, of Greenbrier, Tennessee, was the 2020 reserve champion in the USHJA Hunter 18" or Crossrail section.

I enjoyed participating in each of the classes and meeting new girls. The shows also allowed me to spend more time with my friends and family. It was fun competing against other horsey girls!

It started with $100 that my great grandpa gave me for Christmas. I asked for a horse but my mom told me that wasn’t enough… but I could buy some lessons. It has been seven years and I have enjoyed learning both dressage and hunt seat.

My favorite memory from last year is traveling to Georgia for shows. I met many girls and loved meeting new friends. One girl in particular, Sydney, was very welcoming and came to cheer me on even when she wasn’t riding. Second best memory is helping my sister be successful at leadline.

I love the show family I have found at the Horseshow Venture shows in Georgia and at Highland Manor farm in Tennessee. Everybody is very welcoming and encouraging. While the shows are competitive, they are also a great place to grow and have a good times.

The Kym K. Smith/USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships will return to the Virginia Young Horse Festival at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia, on August 29.

The Championships offer a variety of sections for ponies. New in 2021, an Adults on Ponies class open to Professional or Amateur riders has been added. Learn more.

The Virginia Young Horse Festival will also feature the Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF/USHJA Hunter Breeding Championships, presented by Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Oare – East Coast. Learn more.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming USHJA Webinars:

July 20, 7 p.m. ET

Returning speaker Holly Frenzel, from the Equine Business Basics webinar, comes back to explain how to make QuickBooks work for your equine business.

Past webinars are available on demand here.

Special thanks to these members who serve our zone! For more information about the committee and contact information, click here.