SOHJA

The Southern Oregon Hunter Jumper Association (SOHJA) was formed to promote the sport of showing horses in Hunter/Jumper competitions by: encouraging fair and appropriate competitions and assisting such competitions through participation, education and advertising; addressing the needs and interests of competitions and exhibitors; educating show managers, exhibitors and the general public about the sport as well as the needs and requirements of the horses as athletes; developing public interest; and encouraging greater participation in the sport.

2010-Martha Brooks

2009-Cara Taylor

2008-Katie Bubb

2007-Nancy Peterson

2006-Makenzie Harvey

2005-Barbara Messinger

2004-Leslie Zock

2003-Joan Latty

2002-Barbara Messinger

2001-Betsey Leever

2000-Martha Brooks

1999-Dave Keiser

1998-Sandi Boaz

1997-Corkee Pierce

1996-Mika Buffington

1995-Leslie Zock

The Gastaldi Award is a perpetual award that is given each year in honor of former SOHJA member, Kathie Gastaldi. She was a vivacious woman who was a driving force in the local hunter/jumper community. Her untimely death was very difficult for many. In her memory, we honor a current SOHJA member for his or her involvement and commitment to the sport of hunter/jumpers in Southern Oregon. This trophy is given to the person who makes the greatest contribution to the sport through sportsmanship, horsemanship, contribution in energy and knowledge, and integrity and conduct both in and out of the show ring. Nominations for the Gastaldi Award are taken by the nominating committee and voted on by the membership.

Southern Oregon Hunter/Jumper Association (SOHJA) was formed in 1990 when a group of local instructors got together for lunch to discuss how we could promote our sport in the Rogue Valley, which was home to many horses, but very little English riding, and most of that was Dressage and a small group of three-day-eventers. There was a hi-point system in place that accumulated points from small Hunter/Jumper Shows at the Expo, at the "old" Heather Hill Farm (on Anderson Creek in Talent), at North Pole Ranch (now Royal Crest) and at Gastaldi Farm in Klamath Falls. But there was no formal organization or anything besides the keeping of points, the year-end winners being awarded at the last show of the year. The evolution into an association with a growing membership which takes advantage of its many member benefits has been a slow but steady one. Now, along with an extensive year-end awards program with terrific prizes, SOHJA offers its members quality shows, a Medal class with Finals, great clinics, scholarships, quarterly newsletters, a website, and a terrific awards banquet complete with the popular talent show.

SOHJA sponsors both mounted and unmounted clinics throughout the year, bringing in well-known horsemen and horsewomen from the west coast, and taking advantage of the expertise of some our local professional horsepeople and veterinarians. SOHJA also assists local stables by helping promote their clinics and encouraging participation. Most clinics offer discounts to SOHJA members and some are free.

SOHJA awards beautiful year-end prizes and ribbons in ten divisions from Trot-A-Pole to Jumpers. Points are accumulated during the show season in each division at SOHJA recognized shows in the region. Awards are presented, along with the Gastaldi Award, at the popular year-end banquet.