Penn State's Julianna Empie won the 2022 USEF/Cacchione Cup at the IHSA National Championship. Empie was also the 2019 winner of the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program (EAP) National Training Session.
Photo by EQ Media
GLADYS, Va. – Sept. 19, 2022 – The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) and longtime membership partner, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), are pleased to debut a collaboration to benefit the membership. For the 2022/2023 season, IHSA Zone Championships and the 2023 IHSA National Championship Horse Show will be designated as USHJA Outreach Competitions.
"We are thrilled to be strengthening our longstanding relationship with the IHSA with the inclusion of the USHJA Outreach program as part of the IHSA competition format," said Kevin Price, USHJA executive director. "The Outreach program, now in its 13th year, is immensely popular and the inclusion of these classes is an added benefit to IHSA riders to earn points, national recognition and year-end rewards."
The USHJA created the Outreach Program as the launch pad for hunter and jumper sports. The program is an opportunity to compete and earn points toward year-end rewards, including an exclusive invite to the Marshall & Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships in Las Vegas.
IHSA hunter seat competitors of all levels will earn points by competing in classes designated as Outreach at IHSA Zones and Nationals. They may also earn points outside the IHSA competition at designated local USHJA Outreach and USEF competitions shows offering USHJA Outreach classes in hunter and equitation classes from walk/trot to 3’ and jumper classes from .60m-1.20m. The goal for members is to work toward medal-level status:
Gold 100+ points
Silver 75-99 points
Bronze 50-74 points.
Based on the medal status, members will be eligible to select rewards such as ribbons, medallions, logo wear, swag and more at the end of the competition year. Additionally, the highest point-ranking Gold-Level rider in each USHJA Zone will be awarded the Golden Backstage Pass, entitling them to compete at the Marshall & Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships, participate in educational sessions, course walks and more. IHSA members are automatically enrolled in the Outreach Program through their free USHJA membership.
“We are excited to offer the USHJA Outreach Program at Zones and Nationals this year,” said IHSA Executive Director Peter Cashman. “It is a fantastic collaboration between USHJA and IHSA that benefits our members. We encourage hunter seat riders to participate.”
Learn more about the USHJA Outreach Program.
ABOUT THE U.S. HUNTER JUMPER ASSOCIATION
The United States Hunter Jumper Association, as the official Hunter/Jumper affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation, is a competition-based sport organization that serves our members through educational programs, awards and recognition, communication, and rules. We provide a wide array of programs for all Hunter/Jumper levels, and we are mindful of the well-being of our equine partners. Additionally, we are committed to preserving the history of our sport, and through our Foundation, we support charitable and benevolent services. Learn more at ushja.org.