American Hunter Jumper Foundation and Dover Saddlery Partner in New Program for Junior Show Hunter Riders

Non-USAE Recognized Shows to Offer New Format - AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge

The American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF) and Dover Saddlery will jointly present the AHJF/Dover Junior Hunter Challenge, an innovative, new show hunter program designed to positively impact the future of the show hunter sport in America.

The goals of this new program are:
1. To promote, encourage and recognize riding talent in youth who are not currently showing at the USA Equestrian (USAE) recognized level.
2. To foster excellence and promote better understanding and appreciation of show hunters at all levels of the sport.

In the inaugural year, the AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge will be offered at a minimum of 20 non-USAE horse shows on both the West Coast and the East Coast. The AHJF/Dover Junior Hunter Challenge will be open to junior riders who have little or no experience competing at USAE recognized shows and who have not reached their 18th birthday on December 1st of 2003.

Each AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge winner will receive an AHJF/Dover medal, neck-ribbon and honorary AHJF one-year membership. Run in a hunter/horsemanship format, each class will be judged on the rider's ability to present their horse/pony to a hunter type course. The rider's decision making skills and riding basics such as pace, straightness, etc. are to be emphasized over the horse's way of going.

Points will be awarded to sixth place. Ten points will be awarded for first place, followed by 6, 4, 2, 1, 1/2, respectively for second through sixth place. Points will then be multiplied by the number of competitors in the class for an event point total. Competitors will be able to track their points on the AHJF web site. The site will include an updated list of the AHJF/Dover Saddlery Junior Hunter Challenge point standings in the two regions.

The East Coast and West Coast will each have a regional winner determined by total points earned in that region. Both regional winners will be invited to an extensive educational weekend in October at the 2004 Capital Challenge Horse Show outside of Washington, D.C., as guests of the AHJF and Dover Saddlery. During their stay, the regional champions will have the opportunity to mentor with leading riders, trainers, judges, course designers and show management. The regional winners will be accompanied by an adult and will be given a grant to assist with travel costs.

Founded in 1991, the American Hunter Jumper Foundation is a non-profit member and sponsor supported organization which strives to promote the sport of hunter-jumper competition and address the needs of the sport's participants. The AHJF offers programs such as the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund, the AHJF/Merrill Lynch 401k Profit Sharing Plan, and the World Championship Hunter Awards.

Dover Saddlery, the largest supplier of English tack, apparel and equipment for both horse and rider, prides itself on its commitment to "horse-knowledgeable" customer service as well as its superior record of product availability. For a free copy of the Dover Catalog call 800-989-1500. The full Dover Catalog is available on-line at www.doversaddlery.com. Dover Saddlery stores are located in Wellesley, MA and Hockessin, DE.

For more information on the new AHJF/Dover Junior Hunter Challenge, contact the AHJF office at 508-835-8813 or email ahjf@earthlink.net.

PHOTO CAPTION

Each of the AHJF/DOVER SADDLERY JUNIOR HUNTER CHALLENGE regional winners will have the opportunity to travel to the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, MD to meet the sport's top professional riders, trainers, grooms, judges and show management. One rider that will be excited to share his experiences with these children is Scott Stewart, The 2003 Monarch International Show Circuit Magazine's Professional World Championship Hunter Rider.