Source:  News Release/Carrie Wirth for PMG Inc.

Application Deadline Approaching for
USHJA Emerging Athletes Clinic at
Colorado Horse Park

Parker, CO -  The Colorado Horse Park is pleased to announce that they will be hosting the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), Zone 8 Emerging Athletes Program (EAP) June 25-28, 2013.  The deadline for application is fast approaching. Young riders have until Monday, April 29^, 2013 to apply.  Each year, hundreds of young riders apply to the Emerging Athletes Program in hopes of furthering their education, not only as riders, but as complete horsemen.

The EAP creates opportunities for young riders to advance their education as they strive to become knowledgeable horsemen within the hunter/jumper community. The Colorado Horse Park will be the ideal setting and athletes will be at the facility in the midst of the amazing Colorado Horse Park "Summer Circuit".  The place will buzz with activity!

Ten EAP Regional Clinics are offered throughout the country during the months of June, July and August, with a total of 24 riders selected for each clinic. During these four-day clinics, riders have the opportunity to work with top riding clinicians and stable managers. Regional Clinic attendees are instructed on flatwork, gymnastics, related distances and course work, in addition to participating in an intensive stable-management curriculum. Riders also complete a written test as part of their evaluation for the National Training Session. Sixteen riders are selected to advance to the EAP National Training Session where one rider is named the EAP Champion and receives a $3,000 grant for advanced training.

The Colorado Horse Park is pleased to have Cynthia Hankins as the Zone 8 clinician this year. Hankins was a junior equitation star, having placed in the top ten of several equitation finals before winning the USEF Medal Finals in 1975. She spent much of her professional career traveling between the U.S. and France, where she rides and trains at a top breeding farm.  Many of her students have gone on to become successful professionals within the hunter/jumper community.

Hankins holds an "R" judge's license in both Hunter and Hunter Equitation and has judged numerous shows in the United States and France including several equitation finals and most recently the 2011 Maclay Finals at the National Horse Show in Lexington, KY. 

In addition to judging and training, Hankins shares her knowledge and expertise with riders as a top clinician and in the articles she contributes to publications such as The Chronicle of the Horse and Practical Horseman.

In order to be considered for the Emerging Athletes Program, riders:

·    Must be a current member of USHJA in good standing. 

·    Must not have reached their 21st birthday before December 1 of the current competition year according to USEF rules.

·    Must be able to display proficiency in completing jumper style courses set at 1.10m or higher. Riders are expected to supply the horse they ride in the Regional Clinic, and the horse should be comfortable jumping a course at 1.10m.

·    May not have competed in classes over 1.35m in height at the time of application and may not have competed in FEI Championships for jumping, such as Young Riders or Children's International Jumping Competition.

·    Must pass the Level One USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge with a score of 80% or higher.

For application procedures please visit: http://www.ushja.org/programs/eap/eap_apply.aspx

For more information contact clinic organizer Vivien Van Buren at VNIVIV@CS.com

About the Colorado Horse Park

Celebrating its 20^th Anniversary, the Colorado Horse Park was founded by visionary Helen Krieble who acknowledged the need for a high-volume horse show and horse boarding facility to serve Colorado.  The Colorado Horse Park welcomes more than 75,000 visitors per year and hosts over 40 competitions annually.  CHP features a derby arena designed by Olympic-designer Linda Allen and a cross-country course designed by Olympic Gold Medalist David O'Connor and eventing super-star James Atkinson. There are 300 permanent stalls with capacity for more than 1,000 stalls.

The picturesque property, located only minutes from the town of Parker, hosts international equestrian events in multiple disciplines. Visitors enjoy the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountain surroundings and access to miles of trails and open space.  The Colorado Horse Park iscommitted to supporting equestrian education and amateur athletics, preserving open space, fundraising for local charities and supporting the community. 

Visit CHP at:  http://coloradohorsepark.com/

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