2008 USHJA Annual Meeting

A to Z at USHJA
  We all expect interesting changes due to the economic climate. However our industry is hot to trot - attendance didn’t appear to be light at this year’s USHJA Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN. The interaction at the rule change forum, in committee meetings and regarding program implementation was lively and positive. USHJA is taking big strides for our discipline and participating members are playing a big role.

  The meeting covered a wide range of topics over a four-day period. The following is a brief overview of a handful of the impressive developments happening with this five-year-young hunter jumper association.

Hard work for HJ
  The staff, board members and committee members of USHJA are working diligently on behalf of the hunter jumper discipline – from the grassroots to high performance. It takes an incredible amount of effort to build a brand new organization for a discipline steeped-in-tradition that wants to evolve to new levels. That said, even the traditionalists are opening their minds and participating in some very forward thinking.

Unruly Ruling
  Rule changes are a key element of these annual meetings. Seemingly mundane, these sessions can get quite animated as various individuals speak their mind on details that are important to their passion and potentially their livelihood. Covering topics from measuring ponies to splitting an equitation class to heights of Low Junior Jumper Classics...
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Conversations with Industry Innovators

Jumping for a Just World
  In the previous newsletter, we featured Francie Steinwedell Carvin’s images from the October 2008 Just World International trip to Honduras. Since then, we were able to get a more in-depth account from Francie and also to chat with former international equestrian and JustWorld founder, Jessica Newman.

  JustWorld International is a recognized International 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States and in France. Currently, this non-profit raises funds through its 160 professional, junior and amateur ambassadors...
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In the Element with Erna

My View on Zazou
  Most of you already know Zazou Hoffman as the young rider who competes bi-coastally, both near her hometown in Santa Monica, CA and on the east coast circuit with Missy Clark. Her bio also reveals that among other notable accomplishments, Hoffman was one of seven elite riders chosen to work with Olympic Chef d'Equipe George Morris in Wellington, FL and has competed in the Medal Finals for the past three years. Additionally, she took first at Maclay Regional, 5th in "the Medal" at Harrisburg, 5th in the USET Talent Search East at Gladstone, 3rd in the WCE, and recently 3rd in the Maclay Finals...
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At the Back Gate

2008 - it was a great year!
  Holiday Greetings from us to you – we’ve had quite a year and we’re looking forward to another interesting one in 2009. We produced over twenty newsletters – by far our biggest year.

  Congrats to all on achievements from pony finals and medal finals to Olympic Gold and everything in-between. We thoroughly enjoy covering the news and sharing it with our readers...
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