News and Notices
News Update February 2, 2010 YMCA and SPRINGFIELD, MA and SOMERS, CT-The YMCA (of Greater Springfield, MA) and Shallowbrook Equestrian Center (of Somers, CT) formally announce their partnership in the development of the Y Ride Program. The Y Ride program incorporates the YMCA's core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility into the equine experience. The purpose of the Y Ride program, created by Julie Costello, Executive Director of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, is to provide underserved youth and teens with the opportunity to develop personal growth of spirit, mind and body through exposure to the structure of horseback riding and equine care. Shallowbrook designed an equine program that includes riding goals and journal entries for each lesson. Other activities include playing with Shallowbrook's nationally ranked Interscholastic Polo Team and a demonstration at Shallowbrook's student horse show. Each session includes ten weekly one hour lessons. "The partnership between Shallowbrook and the YMCA is an ideal fit as our missions and philosophies are alike, with a strong focus on personal growth. Students are affected in a very positive way when in the presence of horses." - Sally Allison owner, manager, and head trainer at Shallowbrook Equestrian Center. The Y Ride program kicked off its first session with four students from Springfield, MA on Wednesday, November 18th. "We are thrilled with the tremendous success each student has achieved. The smiles on their faces are contagious." - Elyse Dunbar, Y Ride Manager and instructor at Shallowbrook Equestrian Center. "I am impressed by Shallowbrook's professionalism and extremely excited to be collaborating with Shallowbrook on our Y Ride program. I think bringing the Y Ride program to Shallowbrook will enable us to offer our children an enhanced equestrian experience. The benefits of the program to these underserved children far exceed just learning to ride. It's not just about the riding, but about developing self confidence, pride, patience, trust and more. This new partnership will allow us to take our program to the next level and I think the benefits to our kids are limitless." - Julie Costello, Executive Director of the YMCA of Greater Springfield. News Update January 28, 2010 News Update January 12, 2010 Effective immediately, points from the Regular Working Hunter Division and the Green Working Hunter Division will now be combined into one division called the Regular and Green Working Hunter Division.
To Develop the Y Ride Program
"I designed the Y Ride program to give kids, who may not have had the opportunity, a chance to experience all the benefits riding can bring to ones life. The bond that you make with a horse is invigorating and empowering." - Julie Costello, Executive Director of the YMCA of Greater Springfield and competitive hunt seat rider.
Y Ride looks to expand its program offerings in 2010, including additional participants, professional and horse care seminars, summer horsemanship clinics, and competitive polo and hunt seat sponsorships. The YMCA of Greater Springfield is now looking for tax-deductible donations for the 2010 Y Ride program. For more information, please contact Julie Costello, Executive Director of the Greater Springfield YMCA at 413/739-6951, extension 181.
We are pleased to announce that the Connecticut Hunter & Jumper Association has established a program to assist Trainers who wish to participate in the USHJA's Trainer's Symposium being held at the Westbrook Hunt Club April 19-21, 2010. Click on the link below for more information about the symposium.
To enter, send an email expressing your interest to the CHJA office at chjaweb@aol.com no later than Thursday, February 4, 2010.
Sincerely,
The CHJA Board Of Directors
If you have any questions please direct them to chjaweb@aol.com
News Update January 20, 2010
The following rule changes (in red) were voted on and approved at the Board of Director's meeting on January 11, 2010 and are in immediate effect:
C. CHJA Medal Class Requirements
1. General
In each of the below listed classes, the following shall apply:
a. Only CHJA Members are permitted to compete in these classes. Membership cards or numbers must be provided, or a membership application completed and dues paid at the time of registration for these classes. These are stand alone classes and may not be combined with any other class.
b. If there are between 4 and 30 entrants, the class may not be split. If the class has between 31 and 40 entrants, the class may be split at the Show Manager’s discretion and points will be awarded as if 2 classes ran. If there are over 40 entrants, the class must be split and points will be awarded as if 2 classes ran.
c. The class consists of two phases. The first phase is over obstacles and the second phase is on the flat with each phase counting 50%. In order to win a ribbon, a rider must complete both phases.
d. The judge will select at least six contestants, if available, to compete in the second phase at a walk, trot and canter. USEF recognized shows that are awarding eight places may call back eight contestants, but high score points will only be awarded to six places.
e. Where available, the judge shall pin a reserve.
f. The same horse shall be shown by the same rider in all phases.
g. For any class to count, at least four riders must complete both phases of the class.
h. Exhibitors may compete in only one CHJA Medal Class per show.
i. Shows (Regular or Local) may offer one of each type of CHJA Medal class per show. This applies to one- day or multi-day shows.
j. A CHJA Medal qualifying class is a standalone class and cannot be combined with any other class. If a CHJA Medal Qualifying class is combined with any other class, points will not be awarded.
RULE 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR SHOW MANAGEMENT
Part 1. Show Affiliation
G. Medal Class Fees
Effective February 1, 2010, fees for Medal Classes will be $5.00 per entry per class with no maximum cap. These fees are payable on completion of the class and must accompany horse show results as required by Part 6.
News Update May 25, 2009
We have a couple of requests asking us to please clarify what determines fence height for division or medal finals eligibility. Is it the fence height listed in the CHJA class descriptions and prize list, or is it the fence height the class was actually run at during a recognized horse show?
For eligibility purposes, fence height is always determined by what is in the prize list/CHJA class descriptions although we are aware that in an effort to fill classes, fence heights are often lower than what is stated.
It is not OK to enter a division or class (even as a "filler") whose class requirements jeopardize your eligibility simply because the fence height was run lower than what the prize list stated. We go by whatever CHJA class description/fence height is stated in the prize list.
Examples:
A Pre Children's Equitation rider will lose their eligibility if they enter a 3' Children's Hunter Horse fence class (either as a free standing class or combined).The eligibility will be lost even if the class was run with a fence height of 2 feet!
A Children's Equitation rider will lose their Children's Medal eligibility if they enter a 15-17 fence class (either as a free standing class or combined) if it is stated in the prize list that the fence height is 3' 3" or not to exceed 3' 6". The eligibility will be lost even if the class was run with a fence height of 2'6".
A Short Stirrup rider will lose their eligibility if they enter a Children's Equitation fence class. The eligibility will be lost even if the class was run with a fence height of 18".
If a class is recognized by the CHJA, then the CHJA class descriptions will be used to determine division or medal finals eligibility regardless of what fence height the show manager may choose to run the class at. Hopefully, the CHJA recognized classes are run as close to their specifications as possible.
If you have questions about class requirements or eligibility while at a horse show, we recommend that you always consult the Steward.
News Update March 5, 2009
New point requirements for the 2009 Hunter Classics.
Children's Hunter Classic
The top 25 horses/ponies in Children's Hunter Division (horses and ponies combined) will be invited to participate in the CHJA Children's Hunter Classic providing they have a mi
nimum of 50 points accrued as of the end of the qualifying period. Points for the Children's Hunter Classic will accrue as of December 1 of the previous year to 20 days before the current year's Hunter Classics. In order to accumulate points, horse/ponies and their owners must be current members of the CHJA in good standing. The Equitation Committee may, at its discretion, increase or decrease the minimum point requirements for any given year.
Adult Hunter Classic 
The top 25 horses in the Adult Amateur Hunter Division (Over and Under 35 combined) will be invited to participate in the CHJA Adult Hunter Classic providing they have a minimum of 50 points accrued as of the end of the qualifying period. Points for the Adult Hunter Classic will accrue as of December1 of the previous year to 20 days before the current year's Hunter Classics. In order to accumulate points, horses and their owners must be current members of the CHJA in good standing. The Equitation Committee may, at its discretion, increase or decrease the minimum point requirements for any given year.
News Update January 29, 2009
USHJA Horse Recording
Many of our CHJA approved shows are also approved by the national governing board of our sport, the USEF (United States Equestrian Federation). If you will be showing in a USEF approved show, you should be aware of new rules instituted for this show year beginning December 1, 2008, which require you to obtain a registration number for ALL horses showing in hunter, hunter breeding, jumper and hunter seat equitation classes. This is in addition to you needing to be a USEF and United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) member (or pay a fee) at USEF licensed shows. For more information, and possible exceptions, please visit www.usef.org or www.ushja.org
The rule reads as follows:
HU101 Eligibility to Compete - Horse and Pony.
1. USHJA Horse Registrations.
a. All horses competing in Federation non-breed restricted licensed competitions with hunter, hunter breeding, jumper and hunter seat equitation classes (except those activities enumerated in GR901.9, items 1-9) must be properly identified and must obtain a Registration Number from USHJA. A registration number for each horse must be entered on all entry forms for licensed competitions. Only one Registration Number will be issued per horse, and must remain with the horse throughout its career. Anyone knowingly applying for a duplicate Registration Number for an individual horse may be subject to disciplinary action. The Federation and/or USHJA as applicable must be notified of any change of ownership and/or competition name of the horse. Owners are requested to notify the Federation and/or USHJA as applicable of corrections to previously submitted information, e.g., names, addresses, breed registration, pedigree, or markings.
b. Applications for Registration Numbers can be completed online at www.ushja.org or www.usef.org using the Horse Registration application form. The Horse application form is also available from the USHJA or Federation office, or it can be downloaded from the USHJA or Federation website or from competition management. Competition management is responsible for notifying exhibitors of this requirement in their prizelist.
EC 8/18/08 Effective 12/1/08
News Update January 12, 2009
New Leadline Rules for 2009!
In 2009, the requirements for earning year-end recognition in the Lead
line Division have been modified. Previously, a rider was required to win one first place award in a recognized class in order to receive a recognition award at the Annual CHJA Awards Banquet. In order to ensure that as many children as possible are recognized, the criterion has been changed to be that a rider must accumulate at least 20 points in recognized Leadline classes.
Additionally, at the Annual Meeting on January 5, another rule was passed to ensure that as many children as possible are recognized. Effective immediately only one (1) entrant is required to compete in and complete the class in order for points to count.
Open to riders who have not reached their 7th birthday and have not competed in any classes in a USEF OR CHJA Recognized show other than leadline. Entries may be asked to trot. Riders to be judged on elementary fundamentals of horsema
nship. An adult is required to lead each entry.
Additionally:
-Classes in this division are not subject to the points multiplier for number of entries, so all placings will receive single points.
-Only (1) entrant is required to complete in and complete (show and place) the class for points to be awarded.
-There is no minimum show requirement for this division.