Earlier this year, the USHJA Board of Directors approved a new governance structure which provides for the membership to nominate Officer and Director At-Large candidates for the Nominating Committee’s consideration, as well as direct nominations to the Board through the Working Groups and Affiliates Council. Candidates were required to accept their recommendation for consideration by the Nominating Committee and to submit written answers to a series of questions the Nominating Committee created. Thirty candidate recommendations were received from the membership. As a result of several meetings and careful consideration of all candidates, the Nominating Committee provided the Board of Directors with the slate of candidates listed below for election to the Board of Directors in December.
 
The USHJA Nominating Committee includes members elected by the Jumper Working Group, Hunter Working Group, Affiliates Council and Board of Directors. The Committee consists of Chairman Howard Pike, Liza Boyd, Shelley Campf, Tara Clausen, Rick Cram, David Distler, Christine McCrea, Sally Ike and Streett Moore.
 
The slate of candidates will be presented for election to office during the USHJA Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 4, during the USHJA Annual Meeting, which runs from Dec. 3-6 in Miami, Fla. Slate of candidates for election to the Board of Directors in December:
 
National Officers
President—Mary Babick
Secretary—Larry Langer
Treasurer—Skip Thornbury
 
Jumper Working Group Directors
Jumper Discipline Vice President—David Distler
Jumper Working Group Director—Candice King
Jumper Working Group Director—Margie Engle
Jumper Working Group Director—Anne Kursinski
 
Hunter Working Group Directors
Hunter Discipline Vice President—Mary Babick
Hunter Working Group Director—Shelley Campf
Hunter Working Group Director—Liza Boyd
Hunter Working Group Director—Colleen McQuay
 
Affiliates Council Directors
Streett Moore
Lori Cramer
 
At-Large Directors
Debbie Bass
Bob Bell
Karen Healey
Susan Harding
Britt McCormick
Cheryl Rubenstein
Eric Straus
 
USHJA Foundation President Director
Lynn Jayne

A professional horsewoman for 34 years, Babick, Freehold, N.J., has trained several well-known riders including Whitney Roper, Maria Schaub, Jessica Springsteen, Samantha Schaefer, Abby O’Mara and Meg O’Mara. Mary is married to Alex Babick, and she owns and operates Knightsbridge Farm in Atlantic Highlands, N.J., training riders of all ages and levels.
 
“I am both pleased and honored to be considered for this position. My hope for the future of the USHJA is that working together, the members, volunteers, staff and leadership can continue to strengthen our sport at all levels. Together we can become more than the sum of our parts. Bill’s legacy as president leaves me with some big shoes to fill,” said Mary.

Current USHJA President Bill Moroney commented on Mary’s nomination: “Having served as USHJA president since the organization’s inception in July of 2003, and having guided it to its present prominence in our sport, I feel it is exactly the right time for me to step aside as president. Mary is capable and willing to perform the duties of the office of president, and she both exemplifies the qualities and possesses the skills the Board of Directors deems important for the position.”
 
Current USHJA Vice President and USEF President Elect Chrystine Tauber shared Moroney’s sentiment. “Mary Babick is a well-respected horsewoman. Combined with her Board and governance experience, she will provide knowledgeable and strong leadership. It is incumbent upon all leaders to cultivate and bring forth new leaders. Having worked with Bill Moroney, I know that Mary has received great guidance and is well prepared to make a smooth transition to the position of president.”
 
Mary has been an integral member of the USHJA Board of Directors, Planning Committee and Emerging Athletes Committee, as well as chairing the Youth Committee. She has been an essential part of developing several programs for young athletes, including the Emerging Athletes Program.
 
USHJA Board of Directors member and Chair of the Hunter Restructure Committee, Geoff Teall, supported the nomination.

“There is no one who could have brought the USHJA to where it is today other than Bill Moroney. In my opinion, there is not a better choice to take his place as president than Mary Babick,” said Teall. “Bill has further demonstrated his vision for our sport and his real leadership qualities by knowing when to step aside, and for whom. I applaud Bill for his decision, the nominating committee of the USHJA for this choice and all their other important decisions, and wish Mary all the best in her new role at the USHJA. She will do a great job for all of us I am sure.”