WEC, My Friends, is the Future and the Future is Here.
BY KIMBERLY MALOOMIAN
In roughly June of 2020, I got a text from Ellen Toon regarding WEC Ocala: They’ve opened up stall reservations for the winter. We are going weeks 1 and 2, you should...
Breaking Down The Breeding: 2020 ASPCA MACLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
BY BETHANNE BORT
Following the successful “Breaking Down the Breeding: 2019 Maclay” article published by The Plaid Horse in December 2019, I decided to do a repeat for 2020 to evaluate trends and further our...
So Amateurs Are Good Enough to Write a Check, But Not to Have a...
BY PENELOPE AYERS
Amateur exhibitors are the economic engine that fuels horse sports across hunter/jumpers, dressage, eventing and many other breeds and disciplines. In the hunter/jumper world, we are governed by the USEF, the overall...
The Future of Riding Helmets
There are exciting changes on the horizon for helmets—but not without our help
BY RENNIE DYBALL
The hunter jumper world has come a long way from hunt caps and clear plastic chin straps. But equestrian helmet...
I’d Be a Bad Professional. Why are USEF and USHJA Trying to Make Me...
BY PIPER KLEMM
As I was reading over the proposed amateur rule updates for both USEF and USHJA, I got stuck on a startling question: Why exactly are we trying to create bad professionals?
Our sport...
Calling All Horse Rebels! You Want a Revolution? Here’s How.
BY KIRSTIE LYNN DOBBS
The hunter/jumper community turned upside down when Roby Roberts announced that the long-anticipated World Equestrian Center circuit in Ocala Florida would not be a USEF sanctioned event. Instead, the circuit would...
A “DIY AO” Rider’s Reaction to the USHJA International Derby Enrollment Rule Change
BY KIERA PHLIPOT
Included in the USHJA’s recent rule changes is a change to International Derbies:
Enrollment in the USHJA International Hunter Derby program is now mandatory to compete in an International Hunter Derby class.
So, now...
What is the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame?
Originally printed in the May/June 2017 Print Issue
By Prue Draper Osborn
Every spring a light is shined on the great names and faces in our sport’s history at the annual National Show Hunter Hall of...
The Equestrian Helmet Safety Initiative
BY ELYSE SCHENK
Our riding helmets could be significantly safer. To address this, the United States Hunter Jumper Association is taking live-saving steps to support new developments in helmet safety. The USHJA Board of Directors...
Ava Stearns on Her Maclay Finals Commentary: “I’m a Big Believer in Kindness”
BY RENNIE DYBALL
Equitation fans everywhere tuned in to the Maclay Finals live feed on Sunday to watch the best of the discipline tackle an impressive course at the Kentucky Horse Park.
In addition to the...
What is the NSBA? Learn About the Organization for WEC Ocala
BY JAMIE SKUBAL (SWEET)
Many have not heard of the National Snaffle Bit Associate (NSBA) unless they are involved with a breed association that works with them. To those in the Hunter/Jumper community this is...
Are Horse Shows Hiding Exposure to COVID?
BY TPH STAFF
As COVID spreads rapidly throughout the United States and the world, many of us feel protected at horse shows. We’re outside. It is not that complicated to social distance, and we’re all...
Put Blame Where it Belongs: Improve and Enforce Covid-19 Show Protocols
BY PIPER KLEMM
Why was Pony Finals cancelled? Well, at this point, I’ve heard just about everything.
The rumor mill is raging. I’ve heard about non-compliance from USEF members and non-members alike. I’ve heard the show...
Finding a Path Toward Future Horse Shows: How could COVID-19 testing help?
BY BROOKE GODDARD
The entire sporting world came to a screeching halt in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic – horse shows were no exception. The effects of not having horse shows have been widespread,...
A Postmortem on the Cancellation of Pony Finals
BY MARY O’CONNOR
Due to Covid-19 cases in the Kentucky Horse Park, Pony Finals was cancelled yesterday two days before the event was due to start. Weeks ago, I wrote a response to the COTH...
Karl Cook on How to Fix Our Horse Shows
TRANSCRIBED BY ELYSE SCHENK
“Horse shows are absurdly expensive.”
“It’s almost impossible to win enough prize money to pay off a week of horse showing.”
“We have an embarrassing lack of Grand Prix spectators.”
Who else is tired...
USHJA International Hunter Derby Updates
Throughout most of the country, classes for the International Hunter Derby will be able to continue! One question that has been brought up and addressed by the USEF is regarding the jog, which could...
An Argument for Private Horse Show Photography
BY SARA SHIER
I realize photography is near the bottom of the list of requirements competitors need when they are heading to a horse show. It is a luxury item, and there are thousands of...
Understanding Showing Rules for NSAIDs
BY JAMIE WALLACE
As the 2020 show year has finally resumed, even though it’s abbreviated due to COVID-19, some things remain consistent. Medication rulings haven’t been altered, meaning that the same prohibited list from last...
USHJA and USEF Town Hall: Showing and COVID-19
BY ELIZABETH SOUSA
On June 8th, 2020, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) held a joint town hall webinar. The webinar was held to answer member’s questions...
Dissecting “The Board” in USHJA: How We Need Diversity in Our Governing Organization
BY PIPER KLEMM
The board. It’s part of the closed door meetings that drive our sport. It’s a club of people of power that we’ve long known aren’t split by gender or socio-economic status in...
Learn More About Becoming a USEF Steward
BY DANI SCHNEIDER
In 2012, Faith McKay-Alicea began the process of becoming a USEF Licensed Official. “I love horses and I wanted to impact the industry, but I can't afford to have an Amateur Owner...
