Arizona Hunter Jumper Association News & Media

AHJA Board Nominations Open for 2026!

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:00:00 GMT

AHJA Board Nominations Open for 2026!

AHJA is now accepting nominations for two board seats for the upcoming 2026 term! If you're a member in good standing and ready to dedicate your time to the administrative duties of AHJA, consider this rewarding opportunity to make an impact in our community. Self-nominations are welcome!

️Nomination Period: October 9th - October 31st, 2025

Meetings: Held monthly, in-person or via teleconference

Submit your nomination here: https://forms.gle/gLfDxTTPARTEPeua8

If a board seat isn’t the right fit, but you’re passionate about leadership, we encourage you to join or chair one of our committees! Openings include Education, Banquet, and so much more. Committee leaders will help shape initiatives, manage a team of volunteers, and work independently from day-to-day operations.

AHJA Leadership Transition Announcement

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 20:15:00 GMT

Dear AHJA Members,

We are writing to share an important leadership update within the Arizona Hunter Jumper Association.

Julie Williams has decided to step down as President of AHJA to focus on other professional and board commitments. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Julie for her more than three years of dedicated service. Under her leadership, AHJA has grown its membership, delivered outstanding educational programming with top clinicians, and is successfully transitioning to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are deeply grateful for her vision and contributions. Julie will remain involved as President Emeritus through the end of the year to support a smooth transition.

We are pleased to announce that Danine Summers will serve as Interim President until formal elections are held in early 2026.

Danine is a lifelong horsewoman with over 20 years of experience in the Arizona equestrian community. She has served on the USHJA Zone 8 Committee and other equestrian boards and is a familiar face at shows across the West Coast, often seen in the jumper ring aboard her horse, Swipe Right, or cheering on fellow riders.

We’re also excited to share that Valarie Roberts will take on an expanded role as Co-Vice President, serving alongside Lauren Lacasse. Valarie will continue in her current role as Treasurer. A lifelong equestrian, Valarie also brings experience from other hunter/jumper organizations and runs a small business with her husband.

Please join us in thanking Julie for her outstanding service, and in welcoming Danine and Valarie to their new leadership roles.

Sincerely,
Arizona Hunter Jumper Association

A Positive Path Forward

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

A Positive Path Forward for the Arizona Hunter Jumper Community ❤️

At AHJA, we are proud to:

 ✅ Grow to nearly 200 members, with 70% enjoying regional memberships

✅ Double our revenue in just two years—funding new tools, a points system, and clinics

✅ Host our biggest-ever Awards Banquet at the Phoenix Zoo

✅ Support all Arizona horse shows who partner with us

✅ Celebrate upcoming AHJA Medal Finals on Nov. 2 in Tucson

We don’t manage horse shows—but we DO bring our members together, support all riders, and create opportunities for education, competition, and celebration.

“AHJA is doing exactly what we expect of them as a State Affiliate…” — Britt McCormick, USHJA President

Read the full letter ➡️ AHJA - A Positive Path Forward.pdf

Apply Now for the 2025 USHJA Affiliate Championships!

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT

AHJA members are invited to apply for the 2025 Marshall & Sterling/USHJA National Championships – Affiliate Championships, taking place during the Las Vegas National Horse Show, November 10–16, 2025, at the South Point Hotel and Casino.

To be considered for selection, AHJA members must:

Be current members in good standing.
Have competed in at least one AHJA-sanctioned show in the qualifying section between January 1 and July 15, 2025.
Complete the official Affiliate Championships Application and submit a 500-word rider statement.
Submit their application by Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

Application Process:

Purchase the Application Fee – $25 via AHJA Shop
(Fee will be credited to your entry if selected.)
After purchase, the application form will be emailed to you.
Email the completed application and rider statement to points@ahja.org.

Selections will be made by the AHJA Application Review Committee. Apply today for your chance to represent AHJA on a national stage!

AHJA Scholarship Fund

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 17:05:31 GMT

$1,000 Collegiate/Higher Education Scholarship Application

Due: December 31, 2024

Requirements:
1.Applicant must be a current member of AHJA.
2.Applicant must have competed in at least 3 AHJA Regional, State or Local shows or clinics in the 2024 show season.
3.Applicant must also be a high school senior entering college in the fall of 2025.

The AHJA Board of directors will complete the application review and recommendation of winner. The scholarship will be awarded at the AHJA Year End Banquet – January 2025. The $1,000 winner is ineligible to re-apply for the AHJA Scholarship.

Instructions for submitting an application: Fill out the entire application and submit the following supporting documentation with application to info@ahja.org:

a. A personal letter explaining in detail what contributions you have made to AHJA and the sport of hunter/jumpers that renders you the most viable candidate for this scholarship. Include related volunteer experiences. Please limit to 2 pages.

b. Recommendation letters from three (3) adults, not related to you. One must be your current trainer or profession member of AHJA if you do not have a trainer.

c. High school transcripts of grades showing current GPA and full-time status.

Scholarship Info-Application - 2024.pdf

Applications plus supporting documentation must be submitted by
December 31, 2024

AHJA Board Nominations Open for 2025

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:28:21 GMT

AHJA Board Nominations Open for 2025!

AHJA is now accepting nominations for board seats for the upcoming 2025 term! If you're a senior member in good standing and ready to dedicate your time to the administrative duties of AHJA, consider this rewarding opportunity to make an impact in our community. Self-nominations are welcome!

️ Nomination Period: November 1st - November 20th 2024

Meetings: Held monthly, in-person or via teleconference

✨ 2025 Strategic Plan Launching December 1st

If a board seat isn’t the right fit, but you’re passionate about leadership, we encourage you to join or chair one of our committees! Openings include Education, Awards, and USHJA Liaison. Committee leaders will help shape initiatives, manage a team of volunteers, and work independently from day-to-day operations.

Submit your nomination here: https://forms.gle/gLfDxTTPARTEPeua8

#AHJA #HunterJumper #EquestrianLeadership #AHJABoard

AHJA Update 09.30.24

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 21:00:00 GMT

AHJA Update 09.30.24

AHJA Board Update:

On September 26^th the AHJA board was given notice of Michelle Henderson’s resignation. On Friday September 27^th the board met and voted on the following additions and changes:

Julie Williams, Vice President will assume the role of President.
Lauren Lacasse, Secretary will assume the role of Treasurer.
Laura Brown was voted onto the board and will assume the role of Secretary. She will also continue in her paid role tabulating points for year-end awards and USHJA nominations.
Sierra Egge will remain on the board and continue in her role as the Chair of the Communication Committee.
Theresa Egge will remain on the board and will continue in her role as the Chair for Medal Finals.

Non-Board Chairs:

Kathy Ruhes: Sponsorship
Kristen Hillenbrand: Banquet

September 30th Board Meeting Highlights:

Board Nominations:

The AHJA board voted to open nominations for those seeking a leadership role in AHJA beginning January 1, 2025. The nomination window will be from October 30^{th -}November 30^th.

A communication outlining the prospective positions, expectations of a board member, job descriptions for each position, and anticipated time and term commitments, will be sent via email to all AHJA members in good standing and posted on AHJA.org beginning October 30^th.

Volunteers:

Many of you replied to our survey indicating you were interested in serving on a committee or volunteering at an event. A committee chair or board member will be reaching over the next few weeks. If you volunteered for more than one opportunity you will be contacted by each chair. Any member in good standing is eligible to join a committee.

Communication:

Please remember, the proper communication channel to reach out to AHJA is through email: info@AHJA.org.

AHJA communicates to its members solely via the website AHJA.org, official AHJA social media channels and AHJA approved emails. We cannot be responsible for the timeliness or accuracy of information found elsewhere.

Member Input:

The AHJA board meets monthly. The next board meeting is Friday, November 1^st, at 12pm, via Zoom.

Any member in good standing is welcome to email AHJA and request to attend the board meeting and present an idea or discuss a concern.

Upcoming Events:

AHJA Medal Finals

When: Saturday, November 9th, 2024 (Morning)
Where: Tucson Fall Classic Horse Show
Breakfast will be provided for all attendees.
Special awards for all AHJA Medal Qualifiers.
Still time to qualify for this event!

AHJA Year End Banquet

When: Saturday, January 25th, 2025 (Evening)
Where: Phoenix Zoo
Theme: It’s going to be WILD!
Join us for a fun-filled night with awards, animal experiences, and more!
Sponsorship opportunities for our AHJA Year End Awards Banquet program are available

AHJA Mission & Vision

Mission Statement

The mission of AHJA is to unify, represent and recognize Arizonans participating in the hunter jumper disciplines.

Vision Statement

We strive to be the leading advocate for excellence in the Hunter Jumper discipline in Arizona such that we cultivate passion for horses and competition with a focus on education, horsemanship and sportsmanship.

September 2024 Rule Change Decisions

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 22:00:00 GMT

September Rule Change Requests and Final Decisions:

RULE CHANGE REQUEST #1:

Rule Change Request submitted by: Michele Bourquin AHJA member #159 *Membership for 2024 is EXPIRED*

Current Rule: 2.1a.5. State/Category 1 or Regional/Category 3: No shows on the same date will be approved that are within 125 driving miles of each other.
Proposed Rule: 2.1a.5a. Regional/Category 3: No out of state shows on the same date of any rated Arizona show will be approved.

Argument: The rule book restricts shows from being approved if they conflict with the AHJA banquet, any AHJA sponsored clinic, the AHJA medal finals or the zone 8 finals. Asking that no out of state shows be approved if they are in conflict with rated AZ shows is in line with the existing rule designed to protect other AZ events. Just in California alone there are shows almost every week. We have only a limited number of shows in AZ that are struggling to survive. Changing the rule to protect AZ shows will be in line with AHJA's mandate to serve the Arizona hunter/jumper community as a whole.

AHJA BOARD DISCUSSION:

1. The Board discussed the rule change in tandem with the membership survey results.

DISCUSSION POINTS:

The survey results demonstrated our member base, as well as the H/J community at large:
A) Seeks acknowledgement wherever they show (62.79%).
B) Do not select the shows they attend based on where they can earn AHJA year end points (78.29%).
C) Believe that both shows should count or would still attend an out of state show instead of an in-state show even if they did not receive AHJA points (53.49%).

2. Current Memberships: 144 Regional members, 19 State members and 29 Local members. The majority of our membership base has elected to participate in the Regional membership category.

FINAL DECISION:

With the survey results and current membership numbers in mind, the board voted unanimously against the rule change.

RULE CHANGE REQUEST #2

Rule Change Request submitted by: Michele Bourquin AHJA member #159 *Membership for 2024 is EXPIRED*

XI AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

Current: 11.01. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by majority of the Directors present at any special meeting, if at least two days' written notice is given of intention to alter, amend or repeal these Bylaws or to adopt new Bylaws at such meeting.
Proposed: In 3.02 NUMBER, TENURE and QUALIFICATIONS, Only 'number of board of directors' is covered. Tenure and qualifications have been missed.

I am proposing the following changes to the Bylaws 3.02 NUMBER, TENURE and QUALIFICATIONS

A. NUMBER. The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall consist of no less than one (1) director and no more than five (5) directors. The initial Board of Directors shall consist of four (4) directors. The number of directors may be increased or decreased by a majority vote of the full Board of Directors at any annual or special meeting called for that purpose.
B. TENURE. Each Board of Directors will serve a tenure of one year. New Directors will be elected by majority vote by ballot of current association members in good standing. Directors may serve more than once but must be reelected to a new term each year. Election of the Board of Directors will take place in November. Newly elected Board member terms will start in December.
C. QUALIFICATIONS. All Board of Director members shall be members of AHJA in good standing with ties in the Arizona hunter/jumper community.

I propose these changes go into effect during 2024

Argument: The membership of AHJA should have input and participation in the governing body of their association. A membership elected Board of Directors is a routine and successful way to ensure that an association membership has input into the governance of the club organization that is in place to serve them. Bylaws are 'living' documents and are designed to be changed and amended to fit the changing needs of the membership.

AHJA BOARD DISCUSSION:

The board discussed the following points regarding this proposal to amend the current bylaws:

1. The majority of the membership base and H/J community at large has not joined a committee/ volunteered their time in support of AHJA (80.62%).

2. The majority of the membership base and H/J community at large are not interested in joining a committee/volunteering their time in support of AHJA (56.59%).

3. AHJA is a volunteer run organization; there is simply not enough interest in joining the board/committees to justify the additional time and work it would take to run yearly elections for board members, train incoming members, etc.

4. The board discussed the question of if a one-year term limit was enough time to affect positive change in the organization. It was determined that a 1-year term is not enough time to affect positive change in the organization.

FINAL DECISION:

With these points in mind, the board voted unanimously against this proposed amendment to the bylaws.

September 2024 Rule Change Decisions.pdf

Arizona Hunter Jumper Association News & Media

AHJA Board Nominations Open for 2026!

AHJA Leadership Transition Announcement

A Positive Path Forward

Apply Now for the 2025 USHJA Affiliate Championships!

Application Process:

AHJA Scholarship Fund

$1,000 Collegiate/Higher Education Scholarship Application

Due: December 31, 2024

Requirements: 1.Applicant must be a current member of AHJA.2.Applicant must have competed in at least 3 AHJA Regional, State or Local shows or clinics in the 2024 show season.3.Applicant must also be a high school senior entering college in the fall of 2025.

The AHJA Board of directors will complete the application review and recommendation of winner. The scholarship will be awarded at the AHJA Year End Banquet – January 2025. The $1,000 winner is ineligible to re-apply for the AHJA Scholarship.

Instructions for submitting an application: Fill out the entire application and submit the following supporting documentation with application to info@ahja.org:

Scholarship Info-Application - 2024.pdf

Applications plus supporting documentation must be submitted by December 31, 2024

AHJA Board Nominations Open for 2025

AHJA Update 09.30.24

AHJA Update 09.30.24

AHJA Board Update:

September 30th Board Meeting Highlights:

Board Nominations:

The AHJA board voted to open nominations for those seeking a leadership role in AHJA beginning January 1, 2025. The nomination window will be from October 30th -November 30th.

Volunteers:

Communication:

Member Input:

Upcoming Events:

AHJA Medal Finals

AHJA Year End Banquet

AHJA Mission & Vision

Mission Statement

Vision Statement

September 2024 Rule Change Decisions

Requirements:
1.Applicant must be a current member of AHJA.
2.Applicant must have competed in at least 3 AHJA Regional, State or Local shows or clinics in the 2024 show season.
3.Applicant must also be a high school senior entering college in the fall of 2025.

Applications plus supporting documentation must be submitted by
December 31, 2024

The AHJA board voted to open nominations for those seeking a leadership role in AHJA beginning January 1, 2025. The nomination window will be from October 30^{th -}November 30^th.