Zone 4 Handy Hunter Challenge to Return to HITS Ocala!

HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce that the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Zone 4 Handy Hunter Classics for Children’s Pony Hunters and Children’s/Adult Amateur Hunters will return to the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit during the Ocala Masters – Week VI, February 21-26. SCHEDULE  |  CLASS LISTING  |  ENTRY 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 hand-gallop, rollback turns, trot fences and a gate to open and/or close from the horse’s back. “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 great opportunities for HITS exhibitors.” The Zone 4 $500 Children’s Pony and $1000 Children’s/Adult Amateur Handy Hunter Classics will each be held as a one round Handy Hunter class with high option fences for Children’s/Adult Amateur riders. 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. We look forward to seeing you at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, January 16-March 25 for the USHJA Zone 4 Handy Hunter Classics. Entries are due on January 3. To enter online or view the full Prize List please visit HitsShows.com.

Photography Courtesy of ESI Photography.