The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association debuted its Pre-Green Incentive Program in 2012 as a way to encourage professionals to develop young show hunters, and this year’s championships will offer additional incentives for riders competing horses of varied breeding and background.

American-bred horses in the championships will compete for the $5,000 High Score American-Bred Bonus Award, presented by Oakwell Farms and DS Holdings, LLC and donated in memory of Candie Owens.

“Candie Owens was a horsewoman whose love of the sport and selfless dedication to it, in front of and behind the scenes, helped get the Pre-Green Incentive Program started,” said Diana Stumberg of DS Holdings, LLC.

Riders mounted on Thoroughbreds will have a chance to vie for extra cash courtesy of the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program. The TAKE2 Thoroughbred Bonus Award will pay out $1,500 to the two top-placed Thoroughbreds following the first two rounds of competition, provided their breeding was declared upon enrollment in the Pre-Green Incentive Program.  

“We are pleased to promote the Thoroughbred horse in the pre-green championship and their versatility from the racetrack to the country’s premier horse show arenas,” said Rick Violette, founder of the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program.

Quarter Horses will get their own prize and recognition, too—$2,500 will go to the highest placing American Quarter Horse, an award presented by Plastilite Corporation and Equine Semen Transporter.

“AQHA is excited to have this opportunity to partner with USHJA and support the Pre-Green Incentive Program,” said Pete Kyle, executive director of shows and judges for the American Quarter Horse Association. “We are very proud of the American Quarter Horse, and we pride ourselves on the quality of our breeding and versatility of the American Quarter Horse.”

Regardless of breed, the purpose of the Pre-Green Incentive Program is to encourage young horse development, and an extra cash prize will also go to the youngest in the bunch. The highest placing 4- or 5-year-old horse will receive $2,500, thanks to the Barnfield Foundation.

Horses registered with the International Hunter Futurity will also receive a little extra incentive with $2,500 awarded to the highest placing IHF nominated horse.

“If we add these layers of bonuses and create interest in each of those pieces, we’re going to be able to determine which are the most valuable pieces as we go forward,” said Colleen McQuay, who was instrumental in the launch of the Pre-Green Incentive Program. “I think they are all going to have a major contribution to our sport, but I think this will really help us with our American-bred and age groups as well as hopefully eventually bringing in the stallion owners into a separate bonus as well.”