USHJA On Course

We just wrapped up a week of top Hunter competition at the Kentucky Horse Park, where over $500,000 in prize money was awarded throughout our annual Platinum Performance/USHJA Hunter Championship Week. In this episode, instead of being joined by a guest, we are recapping the week's best moments and hearing from all of our newly crowned champions just moments after they were awarded their titles.

This month we are getting excited for a week of top Hunter competition during the 2023 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships and Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship by chatting with a Hunter Week veteran, Nick Haness. The country's best Hunters will take to the Kentucky Horse Park on August 15-19 to compete for thousands of dollars in prize money and the championship titles. Catch all the action in person or stream both Championships from anywhere for FREE on ClipMyHorse.TV.

Nick Haness's name has been gracing the top Hunter ring leaderboards for years. The California-based rider recently won his second consecutive USHJA WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular after topping the 2022 USHJA WCHR Professional Finals. In 2019, he finished second in Section A of the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship and was Champion in Section B as a Tier II rider. Among those wins, he has brought numerous Green Hunters to the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships and has earned an array of tricolors across the country. Listen in as we discuss what he looks for in a Hunter prospect, how he finesses the Handy, and which Derby horse in his string is one to watch.

As groom to U.S. Olympian Laura Kraut, Margo Thomas spends her days taking care of horses competing at the top of Show Jumping. Throughout her 10 years as a professional groom, she has had her hand in the Tokyo Olympics Team Silver and has cared for a string of top horses at competitions around the world. Join us as we chat about what it takes to be a head groom, her best tricks of the trade, why Confu is one of her favorite horses to care for and just HOW she keeps him so clean.

A longtime Hunter rider, Maya Schneider recently made the switch to the Jumper ring where she and her horse, Noble, were members of the winning 1.10/1.15m Adult Amateur Jumper team at the 2022 Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships in Saugerties. She's also an active participant in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts as a member of USHJA's DEI committee and a manager of the @blackequestrians Instagram account. Tune in as we chat all about her transition to Jumpers and her passion for inclusion in our sport.

If Kylie Cohen doesn't hold the record for the most trips to USHJA's Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals, she must be close! Kylie has put her equestrian knowledge to the test for years, attending Nationals seven times. When she isn't studying equine anatomy or first aid, she competes as an adult amateur in all three rings. Tune in today as we chat about her experience in the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and why she finds horsemanship so important.

The USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge are open for you to test *your* knowledge. Visit ushja.org/HQC to prepare with the practice quiz and free study guide, then take two online quizzes to try for a spot at Nationals.

From the saddle to the judge's booth, Joe Dotoli has an extensive history in the Hunter/Jumper sport. He has presided over show rings across the country; has had his hands in the makings of events and venues such as the New England Equitation Championships, HITS and Ox Ridge Hunt Club; and along with his wife Fran, is the trainer behind the beginnings of Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde. Joe also has a strong passion for safety as chair of USHJA's Safety Committee. In the early 2000s, he spearheaded the rule that requires riders to wear helmets on showgrounds and recently led the charge to raise funds for the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab's testing. With the first round of testing done, Joe has his sights set on testing the newest form of safety equipment: air vests.

We caught Joe after a day of judging in Ocala to discuss his impact on the sport and the future of rider safety. Tune in and read more from Joe about the importance of helmets in the March 2023 issue of In Stride at ushja.org/instride.

Shaq Blake is the author and rider behind The Black Equestrian, a blog chronicling her riding journey as an equestrian of color. Fueled by the Black Lives Matter movement, her writings on diversity in the equine industry have been featured in Elle, Noelle Floyd, and Heels Down Magazine. Her passion for increasing accessibility to horses for all riders led to her involvement with the Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship, which provides opportunities for youth from marginalized communities to become involved in horse sports through financial awards and mentorship. Recently, Shaq released her debut book as part of the American Horse Tales series. Her story, titled North Wind Acres, follows the struggles and successes of a young Black equestrian riding in Detroit.

Join us as we discuss how she and her writing are impacting riders and the sport.

Welcome to the first episode of 2023! In this episode, we are joined by Ryder Richardson. Ryder is involved in and out of the saddle with the Hunter/Jumper sport. With USHJA, he is active on committees, was a Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals recipient in 2018 and received the USHJA Youth Leadership Award in 2021. In 2022, Richardson was awarded the USEF Youth Sportsman's Award after receiving nominations from USHJA and the American Connemara Pony Society. In addition to competing in the Jumpers, Richardson founded Joy Ryder, an organization that aims to promote inclusivity and opportunities within the equestrian community, and advocates for mental health awareness.

CONTENT WARNING: This podcast episode discusses topics related to depression and suicide, which may be triggering or difficult for some listeners. Specific discussion of these topics are at 10:48-11:12 and 14:37-16:58. If you or someone you know is struggling with these issues, please seek support from a mental health professional or contact a crisis hotline.

In this episode we are joined by Anne Sherwood, an adult amateur rider who topped the inaugural USHJA 3'3" Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final - West in September. After taking a break from riding and traveling the world as a photojournalist, Anne has returned to the ring with her sights set on Adult Equitation. Tune in to hear what brought her back to the sport; why she loves it now more than ever; and how she balances being a rider, a mother and a photographer.

In this episode, we are joined by Teagan DeJong. A Junior rider based in Canada, Teagan spends her time competing in the U.S. and in her home country. Most recently, she competed as the only Junior in the second annual USHJA Young Jumper Championships in Traverse City, Michigan, with Genesis Z. Affectionately known as Ramses, Teagan and the warmblood gelding finished fourth in the 5-Year-Old championship amid competitive company. Tune in to hear her why she chose to bring up a young horse and where the duo hopes to go next.