The United States Hunter Jumper Assocation (USHJA) held a judging clinic on Friday, August 3, in Wayne, IL, in conjunction with Showplace Productions during Equifest I. Diane Carney, a local trainer and clinician, acted as mediator between the crowd of more than 100 people and the judges.

The clinic had three riders demonstrate both hunter and handy hunter rounds, while each spectator was given a judge's card and scored each of the rounds individually. The riders were Tina Judge, Brenda Mueller and Jeanne Savenago. The judge's panel, comprised of Alex Jayne, Sarah Booker and Diane Young, also scored the rounds and made comments to the audience regarding the respective performances.

Carney led a type of forum and opened the floor for the spectators for comments, questions and observations. The rides provided excellent topics for conversation ranging from handiness and lead swaps to form and pace.

"We received tremendous feedback from people who attended the clinic," Carney commented. "With the excellent turnout we had, we'll be doing it again next year, perhaps with equitation demonstrators."

Walsh Harness and Saddlery donated shipping halters, leather halters, saddle pads and hats for a free raffle held between rounds, and Showplace Productions and Zone V sponsored a dinner after the clinic.

Carney, based out of Hampshire, IL, has been both an active participant and influential trainer in the hunter and jumper community for many years. Her contributions to the industry extend to the many clinics that she teaches every year, in addition to those that she hosts annually for U.S. Show Jumping Chef d'Equipe George H. Morris and top hunter/jumper trainer Don Stewart, Jr. Carney is also a driving force behind the United States Hunter Jumper Association's High Performance Hunter Committee, which seeks to develop a program that will bring the lost art of tradition and horsemanship back to the show ring.

For more information, please visit www.dcarneytelluride.com.