St. Augustine’s Jaimee Hartley Selected to Participate in USHJA Emerging Athletes Program

Jaimee & Rocky

Jaimee Hartley, of St. Augustine, co-owner of The Gift Horse in Green Cove Springs, was selected to participate in the USHJA Zone 4 Emerging Athletes Program to be held May 1-2 at the Savannah College of Art & Design Equestrian Center.

She will be trained by world renowned Show Jumping Olympic Gold Medalist, Melanie Smith Taylor. Hartley was selected based on merit, competition record and recommendations.

The mission of the Emerging Athletes Program is to develop complete horsemen by implementing a system of identifying and nurturing talented young riders and providing them with support and assistance in achieving their full potential. This program creates opportunities for young riders to advance their education in their pursuit to become a professional within the equestrian industry.

Jaimee tells us, “It is an honor to be selected in this program with such great riders. I will learn so much from the professional trainers and my peers. I have many people to thank for making this dream come true. I couldn’t have done it with out the love and support of my family, trainers and friends. Thank you for believing in me!”

Tags: Emerging Athletes Program, equestrian community, equestrian disciplines, hunter/jumper, United States Hunter/Jumper Association, USHJA

ALERT: $50,000 USHJA/Chronicle of the Horse International Hunter Derby Round One Venue Moved

This year’s $50,000 USHJA/Chronicle of the Horse International Hunter Derby will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 2-3. It is a two round competition. The first round, previously scheduled to be held at The Stadium on the grass field, will now be held in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Friday at approximately 3 p.m. The second round of the top 25 is still at the International Arena. The competition will follow the FTI WEF Circuit Champion Awards, which is slated to start at approximately 6:30 p.m.

The decision to move the venue for Round One of the derby was due mainly to logistics for the riders and trainers that came forward regarding finishing the show day and getting a horse prepared in time to do the derby, said show manager David Burton Jr. The majority of the riders entered in the class are in agreement that the new location will serve the class and exhibitors better, although most were looking forward to showing on the grass derby field. Since the change has been announced, entries in the class increased from 38 to 48 horses.

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Tags: equestrian competitions, equestrian disciplines, hunter/jumper, United States Hunter/Jumper Association, USHJA, USHJA/Chronicle of the Horse International Hunter Derby