The Youth Show Jumping Foundation includes programs to help youth athletes build future teams and sustain the future of the sport. Photo courtesy of USEF.
July 30, 2024 – The Youth Show Jumping Foundation (YSJF) announces the launch of a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization to assist young riders in navigating the Pathway to the High Performance levels of show jumping.
The mission of the Youth Show Jumping Foundation is to enhance and establish a strong youth equestrian program through training, support, and education to ensure a healthy, successful, and sustainable equine industry for the future of the sport.
The Youth Show Jumping Foundation with the assistance of private donations and sponsors, will provide opportunities for youth riders to grow and excel in the sport through unique competitive programs, friendly team competitions, in-depth educational workshops, clinics, internships, community outreach, and financial support, to empower the next generation of equestrians to become the trusted guardians of the horse and horse sports around the world.
Created by experienced individuals from all segments of the show jumping sport, the YSJF seeks to raise awareness and create programs and opportunities to assist the younger generations in sustaining a quality, healthy, and successful future in the equestrian industry.
The foundation provides a building block to programs established by the federation and its affiliates to enhance the global efforts for continued National and International team competition and a credible field of play for the sport.
The Officers & Directors of the YSJF are:
DiAnn Langer –President & Director
Kim Land – Vice President & Director
Morgan Pearson – Secretary & Director
Sarah Rajoy – Treasurer & Director
Traci Brooks - Director
Nick Ellis – Director
Marnye Langer - Director
Sandra Ruiz – Director
Inaugural YSJF Event
The kick-off event, presented by the Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association (PCHA), is the Youth Show Jumping Foundation U25 Challenge, “An American Jumping Style of Riding Competition,” hosted by Blenheim Equisports. The event is scheduled for September 19-21, 2024 in San Juan Capistrano, CA, during the Blenheim International Jumping Festival.
The YSJF's U25 Challenge invites athletes competing at 1.10, 1.20, and 1.30 meters to compete in an American Jumping Style of Riding competition. Athletes will compete in two initial phases. The de Nemethy Prep Phase incorporates dressage and gymnastics elements designed to show an athlete's skills in preparing for a jumping competition. The Show Jumping Phase is conducted under Table II, Sec. 2d, and includes a water option.
The highest-scoring athlete from each of the height sections will move forward to the third phase, the Ride Off Challenge. The three athletes will each jump a 1.10-1.15 meter course on their own horse. Each athlete will draw a Challenge Horse, and each athlete will ride this second, unfamiliar horse over the same course. The athlete with the highest combined scores from all phases will be declared the overall champion.
Each of the three Ride Off Challenge athletes will receive a YSJF Training Grant to use toward furthering their horsemanship knowledge, specialized coaching, or a select competition. The trainer of the overall champion will receive $3,000. All riders, owners, and trainers must register with the YSJF to be eligible.
Ronnie Beard (West Palm Beach, FL) and Anne Kursinski (Frenchtown, NJ) are the judges, Karen Healey (Somis, CA) is the Course Designer, and DiAnn Langer is the YSJF Technical Delegate.
YSJF President DiAnn Langer at a youth team competition. Photo USEF
“We are pleased to have the U25 Challenge as our first program,” said DiAnn Langer, YSJF President. “Thank you to the PCHA and Blenheim Equisports for picking up the reins to make this competition a reality. We are working on more programs that we can offer young athletes which will only benefit the future of our sport. Thank you to the YSJF board for working out the details and providing their time and talents to the foundation. We look forward to more equestrians, trainers, horse shows, and sponsors getting involved with this exciting new foundation.”
For more information on the Youth Show Jumping Foundation, visit the website at YouthShowJumpingFoundation.org.
For more information on the YSJF U25 Challenge, class specs are listed on the YSJF website or see the Blenheim Equisports International Jumping Festival prize list.
Building the Future of the Sport
The Youth Show Jumping Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Not-for-profit organization.
Thank you to our current sponsors.
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