In early August, the Chronicle’s online forums hosted a lively thread about the goals and administration of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association titled, “What Has The USHJA Done For You Lately?” In response to this discussion, the Chronicle invited USHJA Chief Executive Officer Shelby French to answer questions submitted by forums users.

In this, part one of three, French addresses questions about USHJA programs. Check back for the second installment, focused on governance, on Friday, Aug. 19, and the third edition, focused on administration, on Tuesday, Aug. 23. 

Q: Please define and list the USHJA’s grassroots programs and scholarships available. What percentage of USHJA annual revenue is spent on these programs? 

A:First you have to understand that one person’s definition of “grassroots” is not the same as another person’s and then decide if you are talking about the “grassroots” of the hunter/jumper discipline or the USHJA membership.

That said, the USHJA has created several programs to reach a demographic of our membership which has not been addressed in prior years by the hunter/jumper community and to also reach out and provide some opportunity for involvement by hunter/jumper riders who aren’t yet members of the USHJA. This is certainly something that I’m very passionate about personally.

The first USHJA program was the Affiliated Clinics program, which promotes clinics that affiliate through the website and which developed the Clinic In A Box to give organizers ideas for different types of clinics and guidance on how to put them on.

Additionally, USHJA has programs that recognize the outstanding job many of the local, state and regional hunter/jumper associations are providing and has partnered with them in the creation of the Affiliate Equitation Awards, Affiliate Sportsmanship Awards, Outreach Medal, Outreach Hunter Challenge and Outreach Competitions. 

These are programs that we’re just beginning to promote, but because many members of our affiliates associations help us design them, I believe they can help us meet our outreach goals.

The new Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, which will debut next year, will provide a wonderful online educational tool for our membership and those 21 and under will be able to compete to represent their zones at the national finals.

The Stirrup Cups Awards were created to offer separate zone Horse of the Year awards for competitors competing primarily at B and C shows. The awards sections recognized next year will include pre-/low adult and children’s hunters, low children’s and adult jumpers and Thoroughbred hunter sections in addition to those already included. 

Scholarships and grants are provided through the USHJA Foundation, which this year is offering matching funds to the zones. The zones offer grants to assist members who want to participate in Emerging Athletes Program or work toward Trainer Certification. Additionally, many zones also offer educational scholarships.

Fourteen percent of USHJA staff member time is dedicated directly to these programs.

Q: What are the most important things that the USHJA offers casual 3’ riders who show occasionally, as compared to the riders who are the current beneficiaries of national and zone awards and the International Hunter Derby program? What programs does the USHJA have for adult amateurs, specifically, who fit this profile?

A: In no particular order, these riders, including adult amateurs, have the ability to serve on a committee and be involved in governing the sport, the Stirrup Cup Awards, the National Hunter Derby, and recognition through the programs that many of our affiliate organizations are now offering.

Q: Judging by a quick perusal of the standings, my area’s lack of entries in the Outreach Medals is part of a national trend. How does the USHJA incentivize entries in these classes to build entries at the outreach level?

A: The Outreach Medals are in their second year, and next year we’ll be adding Outreach Hunter classes and the Junior Hunter Challenge, as well as the USHJA/ANRC Horsemanship outreach competition. The staff just finished the Affiliate Resources guide, and as we travel the country for zone forums, explaining and promoting the Outreach programs is a major focus.

This year we’ve tripled the participation of our affiliates in the Equitation and Sportsmanship Awards programs, which are in their fourth year. We expect significant growth in the Outreach program as we work with our affiliates in its development.

We’ve added an additional staff person this year, whose main focus is working with the Affiliate, Outreach and IHSA programs.

Q: In the CEO report of March 7, 2011, there’s a statement about spreading the word about the benefits of associations joining as USHJA affiliates. What are the benefits, current or planned, to the associations from this partnership?

A: One of the most significant benefits is that the president or a designated representative of each USHJA affiliate has an automatic seat on the Affiliates Council. That group directly recommends two candidates for seats on the Board of Directors. This provides the Affiliates Council with a direct line of communication to the Board, and their representatives are never shy about voicing the perspective of our affiliate organizations.

The Affiliates Council also recommends two individuals for appointment to each of the USHJA Sport Committees. Most of the benefits directed at the members of Affiliate Organizations have been addressed in earlier questions and can be found in the Affiliates Program brochure.

Q: There are some requirements for Outreach Competitions, but at this time compliance is the responsibility of the individual show management. What is the USHJA doing to ensure compliance at Outreach Competitions? Are there facility standards at these shows?

A: As mentioned earlier, this program is very new and the Affiliates Council was very cognizant of not creating unnecessary bureaucracy and restrictions at the start. The Affiliates Council will continue to annually review the program and make adjustments to keep moving it forward in a manner that grows the sport without providing hardship to organizers and participants.

Currently, Outreach Competitions are required to provide a Certificate of Insurance to the USHJA office prior to the competition, a prize list must be sent to the office listing the officials (who are required to be USHJA members) and the results for the USHJA medal classes must include the USHJA membership numbers of the participants in order for their points to count.

Q: I keep reading about outreach and education being one of the USHJA’s big priorities. How does the USHJA use technology to make outreach and educational opportunities available to all members? We see grassroots efforts in the industry taking advantage with live tweeted horse show results, online clinics, video critiques and “Ask The Judge” weekly series. Does the USHJA have plans to help fund these efforts through grants? Are there any plans to make the Trainers’ Symposium online?

A: USHJA is working with our education partners to bring the Trainer Certification and Symposium programs to an online environment in order to make them accessible to the entire membership. We have also obtained significant discounts for our members to the programs of our educational partners. Additionally we are working with the USEF to develop online modules for use in the education and continued education of licensed officials.

Q: How much does it cost to run the International Hunter Derby program? What revenues are received? Is it profitable for the USHJA? Will there be a limit to the number of derbies offered to retain that special product?

A: The Derby program costs approximately $400,000 and operates at a deficit. USHJA programs are implemented using a three-year pilot program method, which gives the program time to find its feet and make the necessary adjustments to limit deficits to a reasonable amount. If a program does not reach or cannot be altered to achieve its goal, the program does not continue.

Annual program review is a standard operating procedure of the organization. The Derby Program is currently in its review year. Revenues are obtained from qualifying class host management fees, sponsors and donors.

It’s not a profitable program for the organization from a financial point of view. It’s very good from a sport perspective. The Derby has changed the sport and inspired owners, riders and trainers to increase their proficiency. This movement has made its way through the entire sport, including the appearance of Derby-like classes at unrecognized competitions, raising the bar at that level as well.

The National Hunter Derby program is in its second year and is very successful. The Board has directed that the High Performance Hunter Committee reorganize the program in a way that will produce additional revenue and close the gap between revenues and expenses in order for the program to continue.

The committee has not set a definite limit for the number of derbies offered but is very cognizant of maintaining the uniqueness of the program. We don’t want to discourage organizers and participants from creating opportunities to participate in the program, but those opportunities must be balanced with the need to retain the “unique and special” feel.

Shelby French took over as the USHJA’s Chief Executive Officer in May. She had previously been the director of riding at Sweet Briar College (Va.) and the director of riding at St. Andrews Presbyterian College (N.C.). She created the DVD series The American System Of Forward Riding. She also serves as a Between Rounds columnist for The Chronicle of the Horse.

Are you a USHJA member with specific questions for French? Contact her directly at sfrench@ushja.org. Check back for the second installment of her Q & A, focused on governance, on Friday, Aug. 19.