Marnye Langer - President

I think winter passed us by and spring is here. Although we could have used the water, most of us got in a lot of riding time. Besides riding, teaching, coaching, and all the things they do in their lives, your LAHJA Board of Directors has been busy.

New Walk/Trot Award

In order to encourage the youngest riders, LAHJA is offering special year end awards to Walk/Trot riders. Unlike the other championship sections and divisions, Walk/Trot riders compete against a set standard. LAHJA will present Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards at the end of the year. Riders will receive the award for the highest level they achieve during the year. Complete specifications and information are on the LAHJA website.

USHJA Foundation & Affiliate Awards

Speaking of new awards, the United States Hunter Jumper Association launched its Foundation Awards. Horses that are recorded with USEF will receive points in a large variety of hunter and jumper sections at “B” and “C” rated shows. In the Los Angeles area we have some of the largest, most competitive “B” and “C” shows in the country. Be sure your horse is recorded with USEF and that you are a member of USEF and USHJA, and maybe you can earn one of these special awards. For more information, visit the USHJA website.

The USHJA Affiliate Awards are special awards the USHJA provides to member associations. LAHJA plans to participate in these awards and is in the process of determining the criteria the association will use for selecting its recipients. Stay tuned!

Low Child/Adult Jumpers

Because of the growth of the jumper division throughout the past five years, the LAHJA Board of Directors decided to offer an additional year end award for jumper riders. The Low Child/Adult Jumper section is a 3'3" (1.0 meter) level aimed at those riders getting their start in the jumper ring. Complete specifications are on the LAHJA website.

Prior is now Restricted

The Prior Rider section has been updated and renamed Restricted Children’s/Adult. This is a 2'6" section that may include both hunter and equitation classes. Complete specifications are on the LAHJA website. Please note that there are eligibility restrictions.

LAHJA Horsemastership Scholarship

Due to the incredible success of the inaugural LAHJA Horsemastership Scholarship, the program is back in 2007. Once again, junior competitors will take part in the three phase competition – Written Test, Hands-On Test, Riding Test – for a $5,000 scholarship. Complete information is on the LAHJA website, and additional program information and registration will be available during the summer.

Ronnie Mutch Scholarship

Our LAHJA Horsemastership winner, Karli Postel, earned the prestigious Ronnie Mutch Scholarship. Karli spent several weeks at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida riding with some of the top trainers in the country. We are really proud of you Karli, and I am sure you learned a lot!

Horse Show Heroes

Yet another informational article is on the LAHJA website: Horse Show Heroes. Check out Karen Briggs’ article about the different roles and faces that help make a horse show happen. Coming up next, “Alphabet Soup...or what is the purpose of all those associations?”

World Cup Finals

How many of you are heading to Las Vegas next week to see the World Cup Finals? I hope lots and lots of hands are going up. What a great opportunity to see the best horses and riders in the world. If you were lucky enough to also get dressage tickets, you will be in for a real treat. Las Vegas is unique in pairing the Dressage World Cup with the Show Jumping World Cup. You can learn so much by watching, and watching the best will leave you inspired and motivated. It is not too late to plan a quick trip, and it will be worth your effort. Richard Spooner, who spent his early years competing at LAHJA shows, will be representing the United States. Other West Coast riders include Jill Humphrey, Mandy Porter, and Rich Fellers. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, a California girl and LAHJA champion, will be returning to Las Vegas and hoping Lady Luck smiles on her again.

I hope to see a number of familiar faces in Las Vegas. For those of you who can’t make it to the World Cup Finals, I’ll try to provide short, daily updates, and I am sure a number of top equestrian websites will have terrific coverage of the Finals.

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