USHJA On Course

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!

In episode six of USHJA On Course we're joined by equestrian legend, Anne Kursinski. A five-time Olympian, author, clinician and international competitor, Anne has a passion for the sport unlike many. She is currently the Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Show Jumping Development program, as well as a longtime clinician of the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program and has mentored riders at the USHJA Gold Star Clinics. Her riding resume lists accomplishments from 1983 to present, including being a member of 47 United States Nations Cup Teams and competing in 10 World Cup Finals, plus being inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 2017. I caught up with Anne to chat about some of her favorite memories in the show ring and what she, as an important figure in our sport's development, sees for the future of hunter/jumper competition.

Thank you to Brian Bowman for the theme music!

We're back with episode five of USHJA On Course and Jacob Pope, a special guest who has become a bit of a posterchild for one of USHJA's esteemed education programs. Jacob put himself on the top of the industry's radar when he won the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program in 2011, carrying that momentum into the following years to top the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals - East and the ASPCA Maclay National Championship in 2012 and help claim team gold at the 2015 FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships. After finishing college and competing as an amateur, Jacob turned pro and is now a rider and trainer with Team Rakowsky. Hear from Jacob himself about how EAP shaped the rider he has become and what is next for him in the sport.

Thank you to Brian Bowman for the theme music!

If you've watched any equitation finals in recent years, you've definitely heard Ellie Ferrigno's name. But she is a seasoned competitor in all three rings, having claimed the Overall Grand Championship in the 3’6’’ section of the 2019 USEF Junior Hunter National Championships – East Coast, the 2019 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – East, and most recently taking third in the 2020 USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - East, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College. We caught up with Ellie a few days after the Gladstone Cup, amidst the stabling in Traverse City, to chat about her successful junior career and what the future holds.

Thank you to Brian Bowman for the theme music!

We're so excited to be joined by Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta of Beaver River Farm in Camden, South Carolina, and Danny and Ron's Rescue. You may know them from their equine endeavors--both have trained riders and horses to compete at the industry's most prestigious events, while Danny is a renowned judge and Ron has devoted countless hours to the USHJA as chair of the USHJA International Hunter Derby & Incentive Task Force--or from the incredible dog rescue they started in 2005. These two have certainly dedicated their lives to animals in incredible ways, so join us as we hear how they became horse obsessed, how they juggle it all, and what keeps them motivated to keep doing what they do for the animals in their lives.

Thank you to Brian Bowman for our theme music.

Owner of Lafitte de Muze, Cheryl Olsten is this month's guest—if you haven't heard her name, you've definitely heard of her horse, Lafitte, who took home the honor of 2019 WCHR Horse of the Year with expert hunter rider Amanda Steege.  On top of owning horses, Cheryl is a passionate writer and publisher with a children's book hitting shelves later this year, based on her incredible horse. Listen to hear from Cheryl herself about her commitment to ownership, her goals for Lafitte in the future, and how her book, Big Wishes for Little Feat, came to be. 

Thank you to Brian Bowman for our theme music.

Welcome to the very first episode of USHJA On Course, the brand new podcast from the United States Hunter Jumper Association. Today we are sitting down with Victoria Colvin to chat about what goes into her winning strategy. Tori has an impressive record, to say the least, in all three rings of our sport and has been involved in many numerous USHJA competitive programs. She's won the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular six times and has dominated the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships three times, being the first to do so on three different horses. Let's hear more from Tori herself about how she's made it to where she is and what some of her secrets behind her riding and training are.

Thank you to Brian Bowman for our theme music.

Welcome to USHJA On Course, the official podcast of the United States Hunter Jumper Association. From beyond the competition arena, we'll introduce you to aspects of the sport you've always wanted to know more about, tricks of the trade from prominent members of the community and even reveal some topics you may have never thought of. Tune in each month as we chat with top juniors, amateurs and professionals all across the industry to discuss the latest happenings in the sport and how it is changing all of our lives.

Thank you to Brian Bowman for our theme music.