The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association has announced that George Morris will serve as an advisor for the recently announced Hunter and Jumper Working Groups. Representation on the Working Groups includes athletes, amateurs, owners, trainers, coaches, riders, licensed officials and competition organizers.
“The USHJA is delighted that George Morris has agreed to serve as an advisor to the newly established Hunter and Jumper Working Groups. His perspective is that of both a traditionalist and a forward thinker,” said USHJA President Bill Moroney. “Certainly as the Working Groups evolve and develop more programs to support the USHJA’s mission, George will bring other insights to the conversation. His plan to expand his clinics and teaching across the U.S. and around the world will allow him to see our sport from a very unique perspective that will be helpful to both working groups as they chart our course.”
In outlining the important issues in the hunter world, Morris recommended that the Hunter Working Group “take a serious look at the Hunter rules relating specifically to the class descriptions, obstacle requirements and specifications and consider how these should look in the future.”
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Morris, a self-described traditionalist, believes that when you depart too far from the tradition and foundation of the sport, “you are headed down a very slippery slope.” While the Hunter Derby program has resulted in the requirement for a handy round in every section outside of the green ponies, he would like to see the Derby program have an even greater impact in the hunter sections.
Morris’ thoughts for the Jumper Working Group were summarized in his statement that “we need to build a pyramid from the bottom to the top.” His suggestion is that the specifications in the jumper divisions, “mirror the FEI, so we are in sync with the rest of the world.” In turn, this will make the transition to competing in Canada and Europe more seamless for U.S. riders and create greater rapport between the U.S. and the sport in the rest of the world.
Learn more about the new Working Groups on the USHJA website.
