Horse Shows In The Sun (HITS) is pleased to announce that the 2005 Show Circuit Magazine/USEF National Junior Hunter Championship-East Coast will be held August 1-2 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, NY. The championship will take place in the HITS-on-the-Hudson Grand Prix arena. Junior riders will have the unique opportunity to compete in this world-class grand prix ring, while family and friends enjoy seating in the VIP Pavilion that sits high on a berm overlooking the arena.

Now entering its fifth year of success, the Show Circuit Magazine/USEF National Junior Hunter Championship is designed to encourage and promote the basic training and development of junior hunters. To be eligible to compete in the championship, a horse must win a championship or a reserve championship in an A-rated junior hunter division and/or be in the top ten in their zone in any of the four junior hunter sections.

The competition will be conducted in three separate phases. Under Saddle counts 20% and is to be shown at a walk, trot and canter, both ways of the ring. Horses are to hand gallop one direction, halt and back. Handy Hunter counts 30%. Obstacles should simulate those found in trappy hunt country. The course must have at least two changes of direction and at least one combination. Horses are required to trot over one fence on the course, may be asked to lead over one obstacle or open a gate while mounted. A single Classic Round will count 50%. The course must maintain at least ten obstacles, have two changes of direction and have at least one combination. There shall be one single oxer on the course to be ridden at the gallop.

Hunter judges for the championship include Robert S. Bielfeld, of Ithaca, NY; Joey Darby, of Southern Pines, NC; William S. Ellis of Colts Neck, NJ. Fran Dotoli, of North Hero, VT; and Archie Cox, of Los Angeles, CA, have been named as equitation judges. The course designer will be Jerry Dougherty, of Geneva, IL.

The 2005 Grand Junior Hunter Champion will receive a cooler, a keeper trophy, a Show Circuit Magazine crystal trophy awarded for one year and a Pessoa saddle.

In addition to the championship, riders are also invited to enter the United States Hunter Jumper Association (UsHJA) Hunterdon Cup Equitation Class. The class is open to any rider that has won a USEF/Pessoa Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, or WIHS Classic from the beginning of the qualifying class's respective qualifying dates through July 1, 2005.

For questions and further information on the 2005 Show Circuit Magazine/USEF National Junior Hunter Championship-East Coast, please call Whitney Neidert in the USEF office at (859) 225-6967. For questions relating to the USHJA Hunterdon Cup Equitation Class, please call Donna Vale at HITS Headquarters (845) 246-8833.

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