"After two successful FEI Weeks at HITS Ocala, we turn our attention to hunter exhibitors this week with these special Hunter Classics," said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri.
The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Zone 4 Handy Hunter Classics are for Pony Hunters and 3’3” Junior/Amateur Hunters.
The USHJA Zone 4 Hunter Committee created the Handy Hunter Classic program in 2014 to test skills that riders and their horses might use during a day of foxhunting, combined with elements of flat and over-fences classes. A “handy hunter” is a horse or pony that is very easy to maneuver around a course in a ring or in the hunt field. Elements that might be seen in a handy hunter class include fences at the gallop, rollback turns, trot fences and a gate to open and/or close from the horse’s back.
The Zone 4 Pony and 3’3” Junior/Amateur Handy Hunter Classics will each offer $1000 in prize money and will be held on Sunday with their respective divisions. To view a schedule, please click here. To participate, the rider and owner of the horse or pony must have the USHJA Zone 4 as their home zone of record and be eligible to compete under Zone 4 Specifications.
There is no entry or nomination fee to compete in the Handy Hunter Classic, and all ribbon winners will be qualified to compete in the Handy Hunter Finals at the Zone 4 Horse of the Year Finals. To view the complete specifications, click here.
The $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby will be held on Saturday, March 11, and is open to Pony Hunters and Green Pony Hunters. Competitors can earn National and Zone Horse of The Year bonus points, as well as year-end series awards. For complete specifications, click here.
The $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix serves as a qualifying opportunity for the $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final that takes place at the HITS Championship each September. Qualifying classes are held year-long at all HITS Shows. For more information on the $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix, click here.
“Our integral mission at HITS is to foster the next generation of equestrians, as well as provide classes for riders of all levels,” said HITS President and CEO Thomas Struzzieri. “We are very enthusiastic about hosting these special hunter classes that allow big opportunities for HITS exhibitors.”