One Summer And Two Impressive Programs

Our columnist reflects on two important milestones she witnessed in the hunter/jumper sport this summer.

I’ve been fortunate to be involved in major changes in our hunter/jumper world in a short time, and two of these have been so beneficial for our sports: the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program and the USHJA International Hunter Derby.

These two programs—and many others, both established and in the works— have evolved since the birth of the national hunter/jumper affiliate, the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, five years ago.

It’s taken many retreats, long meetings and conference calls to make some of these programs come to life, but the efforts have been so well worth the results. All committee members should be congratulated for their tireless commitment to our sport.

I’d like to begin with the Emerging Athletes Program, which really got underway this spring/summer with the Level 1 phase taking place. There were 500 applicants for Level 1, and after the riders were chosen the USHJA established 11 clinics in 11 locations throughout the country.

The 24 students selected for each location were then divided into three groups at 3', 3'6" and 4'. After Level 1 concluded, 25 percent of the riders were invited to move on to Level 2, where the riders were divided into five regions. Level 3 will be next and will comprise the top 12 from Level 2 testing.

I saw firsthand how the Emerging Athletes Program worked when I hosted a Level 1 clinic at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center in Buffalo, N.Y., in June. Clinician Melanie Smith Taylor’s opening quote was: “You have two lives–one you are given and one you make.” In today’s world that quote is so true!

Embrace Educational Opportunities

As I watched Melanie take three groups of young riders through two days of intensive education, I knew this program was long overdue. With a steep learning curve for some riders, it was interesting to observe how they coped with the amount of new and different information.

Some riders finished the two days eager to learn more and enthusiastic to take home an entirely new view of their horse and their horsemanship. Many others, however, fell into that adolescent trap of “it’s all about me” and believed Melanie was picking on them.

It’s so important to take any clinic with an open mind, to try new concepts, apply them and leave with a greater knowledge than when you arrived. You will not agree with every clinician, but when you have a trainer of Melanie’s capabilities—an Olympic Games gold medalist, a World Cup champion and the chef d’equipe of U.S. show jumping teams—it’s important to absorb the knowledge she’s willing to give, which will no doubt benefit you and your horse.

In addition to Melanie’s impressive technical capabilities, she’s also an advocate for compassionate horse care. Horsemanship is key to her program, and she’s had a long-lasting relationship with Buck Brannaman, who has a talent unequaled in training young and problem horses.

I hope that each student Melanie taught at the clinics went home with many new realizations about horses and their future involvement in making our sport better.