UPHA Challenge Cup
The UPHA Challenge Cup was established in 1972 to encourage competition for saddle seat equitation riders throughout the nation. The National Challenge Cup Championship has been held at the American Royal Horse Show in Kansas City, MO since its inception and a Junior Challenge Cup Championship was added in 1979. Since that time, the following programs have been added:
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UPHA 10 and Under Walk/Trot Challenge Cup was established in 1986 and the National Championship began in 1988. It is held at the American Royal Horse Show, Kansas City, MO.
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UPHA Morgan Challenge Cup was established in 1986 and the National Championship is held at the Morgan Grand National and World Championship Horse Show, Oklahoma City, OK. A Junior Championship was added in 1993.
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UPHA Adult Challenge Cup began in 1987 and the Championship is held at the Lexington Junior League Horse Show, Lexington, KY.
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UPHA National Show Horse Challenge Cup was established in 1989 and the National Championship is held at the National Show Horse Finals, Springfield, IL. A Junior Championship was added in 2001.
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UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup was established in 1992 and the National Championship is held at the All-American Horse Classic, Indianapolis, IN. A Junior Championship was added in 1999.
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UPHA Arabian Breeds Challenge Cup was established in 1994 and the National Championship is held at the Arabian Youth Nationals, Albuquerque, NM. A Junior Championship was added in 1999.
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UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup was established in 1998 for physically and mentally handicapped riders. The first National Championship was held at the American Royal Horse Show, Kansas City, MO, in 1999.
Eligibility:
Open to all saddle seat equitation riders riding a mare or gelding. Please refer to specific eligibility rules and qualifying procedures governing individual age/breed/divisional programs appearing under the various program headings.
All juniors showing in local or national UPHA Challenge Cup classes must be a Junior Member of the United Professional Horsemen's Association, Inc. Riders, or their trainers/agents, must present membership cards or a paid application to the Show Secretary before numbers can be released. The annual fee for a Junior Membership is $35 and is renewable on January 31 of each year.
Amateur riders, aged 18 years of age and over, who plan to compete in Adult Challenge Cup classes must be Associate Members of the organization. An Associate Membership is $65 annually.
A major portion of the United Professional Horsemen's Association's "mission statement" deals with education. Funds raised by membership fees will be directed towards the youth organization to ensure that their exposure to the horse industry is educational, rewarding, and enjoyable.
Judging Specifications:
Showmanship is paramount throughout the class.
Judging in all UPHA Challenge Cup qualifying classes is based 60% on rail work and 40% on the individual workout.
In all qualifying classes and Chapter Championships (except 10 & Under Walk/Trot classes), the top four (4) riders must be worked individually; more may be worked at the judges discretion.
The mandatory workout in all qualifying classes is: "Trot a serpentine consisting of four half circles to the opposite end of the ring. Return down either rail at a show trot." Judges are not permitted to alter the mandatory workout in any manner. It is recommended, at the discretion of the judge, to instruct the ringmaster to line riders up to create a clear area for the serpentine.
Click on Judging Specifications below for a complete listing of judging specifications for each individual UPHA Challenge Cup Championship.