About Us

Our Mission

The mission of Hunter-Jumper Equitation Europe Foundation [HJEE] is to represent the Hunter and Jumping Equitation disciplines of equestrian sport through clinics, Horse Shows and other educational activities in Europe.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to increase awareness of and participation in programs and services for all involved in the Hunter and Equitation competitive sport through HJEE events in Europe as well as a broad range of educational programs offered by the United States Hunter Jumper Association [USHJA] online.

Value Proposition

The Hunter-Jumper Equitation Europe Foundation and its predecessor organization Hunter-Jumper Equitation Holland BV, provide a pioneering effort in services to expand the equestrian choices for european riders by adding the Hunter and [Jumping] Equitation disciples which had not been available in the Netherlands or most European countries. These two jumping disciplines are unique.

The Hunter discipline is subjectively judged with a focus on the athleticism, character, conformation, quality of movement and jumping technique of the horse or pony performing as a combination with a suitable rider. The Equitation discipline is also judged subjectively and based on the rider’s position, style, proficiency and overall impression of smooth quiet control. The Hunter/Equitation discipline is an exciting equestrian sport with a rich history, offering opportunities for riders of all ages and skill levels. Known for fostering a strong partnership between horse and rider, the sport includes a variety of competition formats, from graceful Hunter rounds to the precision Equitation courses.

Forget the CLOCK, remember the RIDE.™

The Hunters & Equitation in Europe, Why?

The Show Jumping and Eventing disciplines are thriving and thankfully well established in the Netherlands and throughout Europe. HJEE strives to expand the jumping focused riding sport, to offer the Hunter and Equitation disciplines as they are not based on speed to determine the winner in the competition. The broader focus on the partnership between horse and rider, riding style, technique and athleticism includes a wider spectrum of participants.

Our equestrian partners are also multi-talented; Some horses and ponies excel at the Hunter and Equitation disciplines as it fits their talent and temperament particularly well. Many riders, enjoy the chance to engage in competition over fences without the pressure of the clock and find freedom to focus on their skills and enjoyment. Furthermore, some riders who have had difficulties in show jumping have spent time riding in Hunter or Equitation competitions to regain their confidence and skills to then return to Show Jumping once again. HJEE is keenly focused to encourage horsemanship /animal welfare in our training, our clinics, at our Horse Shows and via shared educational materials.

All the jumping focused disciplines form a wonderful community to serve equestrians and HJEE is proud to make our contribution.

Hunter-Jumper Equitation Foundation

Board Of Directors

Executive Committee

Patricia Bade- van Motman

President

Founder Hunter-Jumper Equitation Europe

Emilia Vättö

Director of Int'l Partnerships

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Adeline Negre

Vice President

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Danielle van der Meulen

Financial Advisor- Treasurer

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Joan Scharffenberger-Laarakkers

Director of Educational Affairs

Education Development

Patricia Greeve

Member At Large

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Advisory Board

Robin Swinderman

Advisory Board Member

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Regina Moldan

Advisory Board Member

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Arjen Pront

Advisory Board Member

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Fran Dotoli

Advisory Board Member

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History

HJE Holland owes its beginning to the partnership of Florence Wetzel and Patricia Bade van Motman who came together to demonstrate ‘The American Hunter’, a program organized by the students of the AERES School during the very popular fair THE HORSE EVENT held at KNHS Ermelo, the Netherlands. After a few years of witnessing how interested the public was in this sport and discussing how central the European Warmblood horses are to this sport, they decided to begin offering Clinics in the Hunter and Equitation disciplines with a focus on teaching the Forward Riding System. The enthusiasm of Dutch riders of all ages on horses and ponies was amazing.

Joan Schaffenberger-Laarakkers, a ten year veteran of the United States Equestrian Team with many significant wins to her name for her country and a winner of the Equitation Medal Finals in her youth, joined our Board and enriched the knowledge base and experience of the organization. Together, we organized the HJEH Inaugural Horse Show in 2018 at the KNHS Headquarters in Ermelo. In the successive years since 2018, including a 2 year pause due to the Covid pandemic, we have held 42 Horse Shows and over 100 days of clinics. We flew in USHJA/USEF Recognized Judges from the USA for every competition.

We are grateful to the Judges; Fran Dotoli, Robin Swinderman, Jenny Fischer, Cynthia Hankins, Desiree Johnson, Wendy Ritter Peralta, Linda Lambert Post, Annie Dotoli, Angie Chovnick, Robert Robold, Laura O’Connor, Pam Landis and Missy Rhoads who have all made the trip to the Netherlands or Belgium to judge our Hunter-Jumper Equitation Europe horse shows.

The locations for the Horse Shows have included nationally noted locations such as E.C. de Peelbergen, Azelhof, Green Valley Estate (Deurne), KNHS Headquarters Ermelo, Indoor Brabant as well as prominent regional facilities Stal Groenendaal, Perseverance Equestrian Plaza, PSC Lichtenvoorde, Stal Laseur, Stoeterij Gaesbeek, Anglo-European Studbook Schijndel et al.

Former USHJA President Mary Babick Knowlton offered kind encouragement and HJEE eventually became an Affiliate Organization of the USHJA.

HJEE follows the rules and guidelines of the USHJA. Since the combined disciplines of Hunter and Equitation comprise the most popular equestrian sport in the United States of America it appeared only logical to align our European organization with the existing world leader in the Hunter and Equitation sport. We hope to see truly international competition and cultural exchange as the Hunter and Equitation disciplines expand in Europe.