Some of the top up-and-coming junior riding talent in the United States will be bound for the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, August 4 for the Essex Classics/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Hunterdon Equitation Cup Classic, held as part of the USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals.
The Hunterdon Cup Classic is open to any rider that is an active USHJA junior member and has won a USEF Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, or WIHS Classic through July 1 of the competition year. Once a rider has won the USHJA Hunterdon Cup he/she will not be allowed to compete again and will be invited to present awards the following year.
The Hunterdon Cup Classic consists of 10 hunter-type fences, including at least two jumps with no ground lines. The fences are set at 3'6" and the class is judged on style and smoothness with an emphasis on the hunter style of riding. The competition is split into three rounds: the first round is the hunter round. The top 10 will be called back for round two and will compete in the handy hunter round; handiness will be emphasized. The third and final work-off will consist of at least the top four riders switching horses and repeating all or part of the previous courses. The course will be announced with the final competitors in the ring and all fences will be judged.
In 2005 this class was developed as a unique equitation class that combines the precision of equitation and handiness of hunters.
For the third consecutive year Essex Classics is returning as the title sponsor of the event. Essex Classics will provide support and awards for all the competitors.
In addition, Essex Classics will provide all the junior riders in the class an Essex Classics riding shirt. Essex Classics Signature riding shirts use European-designed cotton fabrics and feature exquisite tailoring details. Among their most popular shirts, Essex Performance Collection riding shirts are constructed from CoolMax, a fabric designed to keep riders cool during competitions.
For more information on the Hunterdon Cup, please contact Sterling Berry at (859) 225.6705 or [email protected].