The Harford Horse Shows Association (HHSA) was established in the late 1960's and is proud to be based out of Harford County, Maryland. The association's goal is to promote and sponsor quality horse shows, clinics and special horse associated events for its members, family and friends. To join the HHSA, go to our Membership page, and request a membership packet to be mailed from our membership committee chairman, Karen Cannon. Becoming a member of HHSA will ensure points earned during the show season will be counted towards the year end awards banquet.
The HHSA show season runs from April thru September with October thru March being the off months. During the show season, HHSA recognizes from 15-17 shows at various state of the art facilities in Harford, Baltimore and York Counties.
Equitation Medal Finals for both qualified Juniors and Seniors has grown over the last few years. We have had the fortune to have judges such as Rodney Jenkins, Susan Sisco and Karyn Immerman participate at our Medal Finals. Last season, 45 riders competed at the Heavenly Waters Equestrian Center, in Bel Air, for the Harford Hunt Seat Equitation Medal and the USET Adult Equitation Medal. Medal's qualifiers may choose to either ride a pony or a horse in the finals and have a choice of jump height, depending on the size of their mount.
Mini Stirrup, Short Stirrup, and Long Stirrup Medals Equitation Finals are held for qualifying merit riders each year as well. These riders enjoy center stage as they kick-off the Benefit Show each season with their medal finals. As with the 2010 season, the Board of Directors have voted to award each 2011 Blue Merit Award winning rider a qualification to ride in the year-end Short Stirrup and Long Stirrup Equitation Medal Final for their respective divisions.
Each season is celebrated with an annual year end Awards Banquet with ribbons, prizes and trophies being awarded to 1st through 8th place in approximately 23 divisions. HHSA also presents trophies to high point earners for both pony divisions and horse divisions, each show season. Each year nominations are received and a committee selects Sportsmanship awards that are presented at the year end awards banquet. This special award is to recognize both a Junior and Senior member for their outstanding sportsmanship throughout the show season.
Individual Show Perpetual Trophies are given by many of our sanctioned venues. In addition to the HHSA annual awards, several shows, sanctioned by the HHSA, award trophies to the show champions such as St. James Academy Show, York Country Day School Show and the Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club shows.
