Welcome back to USHJA On Course! This month we are celebrating all things Hunters with an episode featuring one of USHJA's latest champions, Geoffrey Hesslink. Geoffrey recently added another big win to his list of accomplishments in the Hunter ring when he won this year's $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular. As a young professional, he has brought clients to great success in all three rings alongside his partner Brendan Williams and their co-founded Hesslink Williams LLC. Listen in as we discuss where he got his start, how he battles his show ring nerves, and what this WCHR win means to him.

This month's guest is helping us celebrate Hunter Month, the second of four months that highlight everything USHJA has to offer its members, from education to equitation. Follow along on social media with #WeAreUSHunterJumper so you don't miss a thing. Then join us on Instagram on Friday, April 29th at 6 PM Eastern Time as Bethany Lee of My Equestrian Style hosts  Amanda Steege and Augusta Iwasaki to answer your questions live. You just might win a special prize from our sponsors! Be sure to also listen to The Equestrian Podcast to learn more about these two top hunter riders.

Enjoy meeting multi-disciplined equestrian, Lizzy Traband, in this month's episode! Lizzy has participated in everything from trick riding to para-dressage to the Hunter, Jumper and Equitation rings. She is a past recipient of multiple USHJA grants, including the $25,000 Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education Scholarship and the now discontinued Making a Dream Grant; is also a two-time Emerging Athletes Program National Finalist; was USHJA's Nominee for the USEF Youth Sportsman Award; and was named the USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year in 2016. After a successful collegiate career and a turn in Germany, she is now a young professional set on making her mark on the Hunter/Jumper industry. Tune in as we chat about her journey through the sport.

A multi-disciplined equestrian, Lizzy Traband has participated in everything from trick riding to para-dressage to the hunter, jumper, and equitation rings. She is a past recipient of multiple USHJA grants, including the $25,000 Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education Scholarship and the now discontinued Making a Dream Grant. She is also a two-time Emerging Athletes Program National Finalist, was USHJA's Nominee for the USEF Youth Sportsman Award, and was named the USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year in 2016. After a successful collegiate career and a turn in Germany, she is now a young professional set on making her mark on the Hunter/Jumper industry. Tune in as we chat about her unique journey through the sport.

We're back and kicking off a second season with two guests from a collaboration like we've never done before! USHJA has teamed up with inventive equestrian apparel brand Free Ride Equestrian for a limited edition co-branded collection featuring co-branded sun shirts with SPF 50 protection, breeches with four-way stretch, uni-sex vintage style tees and more. In addition, a donation of 12% of the gross sales from the collection will benefit USHJA programs. Shop the collection now at shopUSHJA.org/FRE. 

Our guests, Katie and Raina, are the founders and designers behind Free Ride Equestrian. With apparel that makes riders feel comfortable and confident in and out of the saddle, these two strive to design the highest quality clothing for riders. Stay tuned as we chat with them about how Free Ride Equestrian came to be and what is in store for those shopping this unique new collaboration with USHJA.

Wren Blae Zimmerman is a Jumper rider who has a unique story. Diagnosed with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy, Wren is legally blind but doesn't let that stop her from her riding goals. With no recognized para-equestrian discipline for Hunter/Jumpers, she competes against able-bodied riders on her mission to change the perception about what those that are blind and visually impaired are capable of. Hear from her about how she persevered in the saddle and how we can further the sport for others with disabilities.

Thank you to Brian Bowman for the theme music.

Caitlin Creel is an amateur Jumper rider who used her voice to speak up about the rule change proposal put forward by the USHJA Joint Amateurs Task Force in late 2020. Caitlin's petition quickly caught the eye of Task Force members, fostering a pivotal conversation that helped lead to revaluation of the amateur rules as a whole. Now, Caitlin sits on the USEF Amateur Task Force with the purpose of reviewing the existing rules defining USEF amateur status. The future of the rules regarding amateurs is sure to change, and Caitlin can put her name down as a catalyst for what is to come. In this episode, hear from her about what sparked this passion for amateur representation and how those members are bettering the sport.

Thank you to Brian Bowman for the theme music.

An advocate for giving back to the equestrian sport, Rob Jacobs is the founder of the Robert Lawrence House of Opportunity, has long been involved with the USHJA Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals, and sits on the USHJA's Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Committee. He is also a rider and trainer, recently relocating to California as the assistant trainer for Archie Cox at Brookway Stables. In this episode, hear more from him about how he is changing to sport for the better in a variety of ways.

Thank you to Brian Bowman for the theme music.

At just 13 years old, Campbell Hudkins had a pretty amazing 2020. After spending her time off during the COVID-19 pandemic fundraising for USHA's Feed Aid program, she won the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Final - East at the Capital Challenge Horse Show after rising 75 placings through three phases. She wrapped up the year as the recipient of the USHJA Youth Leadership Award for her philanthropic efforts and leadership in the sport. Join us as we chat about her successful year both in and out of the saddle and what is in store for her next.

Thank you to Brian Bowman for the theme music.

This episode's guest is Jane DaCosta, founder and executive director of the Metropolitan Equestrian Team. A longtime rider and passionate horsewoman, Jane founded MET in 2010 with the mission to provide aspiring athletes in grades 3-12 with the opportunity to participate in equestrian sport and educational opportunities, regardless of their socioeconomic status. In addition to running the non-profit organization, which is an official affiliate organization of the USHJA, Jane sits on the USHJA's Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Committee and is committed to opening stall doors to future equestrians from all walks of life. Let's hear more from Jane herself on how MET has changed the lives of so many riders and how we can encourage diversity in the sport.

Thank you to Brian Bowman for the theme music.

Caitlyn Shiels is the owner and head trainer of True North Stables, based out of Illinois and Florida. After her years of success a junior, including claiming gold at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, Caitlyn is a seasoned competitor, now having competed in multiple USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships, WCHR events and more. We chat with her at the end of 2020 about being a professional in the industry and staying positive through life's setbacks.

Thank you to Brian Bowman for the theme music!