The original "extreme sport" takes flight in
the Pacific Northwest during show
jumping's Grand Prix.
Rich Fellers on Flexible at
the 2010 Canadian Premier. Photo
courtesy Gary Voth.
Dedicated to the Hunter Jumper Sport
Thank you for your interest in the Washington
State Hunter Jumper Association (WSHJA). WSHJA is Washington State’s official governing
organization for the Hunter Jumper sport, and is a proud
affiliate of both the
United States
Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the
United
States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA).
WSHJA's mission is to promote the Hunter Jumper sport in
Washington State and to provide its members, sponsors and
trainers with unique equestrian opportunities.
WSHJA celebrates the unique relationship between
horse and rider.
Photo courtesy Delphine
McCracken Photography.
WSHJA presents 6
USEF-sanctioned horse shows each year, and offers its members
official recognition of
achievement through its annual awards points program.
In addition, WSHJA partners with the USHJA to hold
judge's clinics and
trainer symposia by renowned experts, supports equestrian
causes within local communities, and provides
valuable
scholarships to help deserving Washington State riders.
The Hunter Jumper Sport:
Exhilaration in Motion
Daring. Beautiful. Poetry in motion: these
are just a few of the descriptions used to describe the
hunter jumper sport.
Hunter is a classic form of English
"hunt seat" riding based on the tradition of fox hunting.
Hunter competitions include both flat and over-fences
classes which judge the horse's movement and form, and
"equitation" classes which judge the rider's style and
ability both on the flat and over-fences. The Hunter sport,
with its emphasis on beauty, form and grace, is an extremely
popular form of riding in the United States and Canada.
Jumper, also known as "stadium jumping"
or "show jumping", is an internationally-recognized form of
hunt seat riding. Jumper competition is all about
speed and "clean" rounds where the horses and riders jump a
course of 10-16 obstacles, the winner determined by the
shortest time and fewest faults. Show jumping demonstrates
the rider's skill and the horse’s energy, speed and
obedience. Especially at the Grand Prix level, in which the
obstacles may be up to 6.5 feet (2.0 m) high, the Jumper
sport is one of the most thrilling to watch and is a
favorite at the Olympics.