History and Programs

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 it's inception and a Junior Challenge Cup Championship was added in 1979. Since that time, the following programs have been added:

UPHA 10 and Under Walk/Trot Challenge Cup was established in 1986 and the National Championship was begun in 1988. It is held at the American Royal Horse Show, Kansas City, MO.

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.

UPHA Adult Challenge Cup began in 1987 and the Championship is held at the All-American Horse Classic, Indianapolis, IN.

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 C Championship was added in 2001.

UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup was established in 1992 and the National Championship is held at the All-American Horse Classic, Indianapolis, IN.

UPHA Junior Pleasure Challenge Cup was established in 1999 and the National Championship is held at the All-American Horse Classic, Indianapolis, IN.

UPHA Arabian Breeds Challenge Cup was established in 1994 and the National Championship is held at the Arabian Youth Nationals, Albuquerque, NM.

UPHA Arabian Breed Junior Challenge Cup was established in 1999 and the National Championship is held at the Arabian Youth Nationals, Albuquerque, NM.

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.

The term "Open"refers to classes that are not designated to a particular breed and/or division.

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.

A show may offer more than one UPHA Challenge Cup class. Challenge Cup classes may be offered for breed/division and with specified age limits. If age divisions are necessary in 17 and under classes, they must be divided into classes for: 1.) Riders 14 - 17; 2.) Riders 13 years of age and under with separate awards in each class. Show management is required to obtain permission from the UPHA Office to hold specific age divisions of Challenge Cup classes.

A win of a UPHA Challenge Cup class or a breed/divisional Challenge Cup class (Morgan, National Show Horse, Arabian Breeds, Pleasure) eliminates the rider from further competition in that respective class for the remainder of the qualifying season, except in 10 & Under Walk/Trot, Adult, and Exceptional Challenge Cup classes.

Click here to download the application form

No minimum number of entries is required to fill a class.

Eligibility - The Championships

Residency requirements pertain only to UPHA Challenge Cup Chapter Championships. A rider must compete within the Chapter in which he/she resides. Residence is determined by the legal voting residence of the rider's parent(s) or guardian.

The first four (4) places in qualifying classes are eligible to compete in the Chapter Championships. Chapter Championships are optional.

The horse show manager or secretary must return the official results card to the UPHA National Office, properly completed, within ten (10) days of the close of the horse show in order for riders to compete in Chapter, National or Junior Championships.

All open UPHA Challenge Cup winners and first and second place winners in the Chapter Championships are eligible for the UPHA National or Junior Challenge Cup Championships. Please refer to specific qualifying procedures for individual breed, divisional and age limit classes.

The qualifying season for all National and Junior Championships closes two (2) weeks prior to the beginning of the show at which the Championship will be held. At that time the qualifying season for the following year will begin.

All riders qualifying for either the National or Junior Championships must qualify on the same breed of horse that they will compete on in the Championship.

All UPHA National Challenge Cup Championship winners are ineligible for further competition in that particular program, however, they may compete in other breed/divisional Challenge Cup programs for which they are eligible. (Exception: Winners of the UPHA Adult Challenge Cup Championship are eliminated from further competition in the Adult program after two (2) consecutive or nonconsecutive wins of the Championship. Winners of the Exceptional Challenge Cup Finals are not eliminated from further competition.) Junior Challenge Cup Championship winners may compete for the National Championship in a succeeding year, but are ineligible for further competition in Junior Challenge Cup classes.

The UPHA National and Junior Challenge Cup Championship winners will be invited to serve as honorary judges, along with the official judges, at both phases of the Championship competition in the year following their win. This offer is valid only if they are not competing in classes at the same show where the Championship(s) are held. If they will be competing and wish to judge, they must do so from the rail and will be permitted to sit in the judges' box at the conclusion of the class and confer with the official UPHA Championship judges. The winner(s) from the previous year will be introduced and assist in the presentation of the class awards.

Horse Show Information

Authorization to hold all UPHA Challenge Cup Classes MUST be obtained through the UPHA National Office, Kentucky Horse Park, 4059 Iron Works Parkway, Suite #2 Lexington, KY 40511. Phone: (859) 231-5070.

Trophy to be furnished by the show and paid for out of entry fees, but to be ordered through the UPHA Office. Eight (8) places must be tied.

Suggested prize list wording for "open" classes: "UPHA Challenge Cup Class. Open to all saddle seat equitation riders, 17 years of age and under (or 14 - 17 years of age, 13 years of age and under, or, in the Adult Challenge Cup class, 18 years of age and over), riding a mare or gelding of any breed. The winner is eligible for either the Chapter and National or Junior UPHA Challenge Cup Championships and will be eliminated from further competition in qualifying classes for the remainder of the current season. Trophy and eight (8) ribbons.

The show must have two (2) saddle seat equitation classes in addition to the Challenge Cup class, with the exception of the shows hosting the Championship classes.

The UPHA Challenge Cup is considered a "local" class. Therefore, The United States Equestrian Federation ruling which prohibits pleasure equitation riders from cross-entering between regular and pleasure equitation classes at the same show does not apply.

UPHA Challenge Cup judging specifications are to be read by the announcer as the riders enter the ring.

Qualifying classes may be held at the same show as the Chapter and National Championships.

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 judge's discretion.

The mandatory workout in all qualifying competitions (except 10 & Under Walk/Trot classes) is: "Trot a serpentine 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.

Judging Specifications - The Championships

In all Chapter, National and Junior Championships the judge(s) must be registered or recorded in the saddle seat equitation division with the United States Equestrian Federation.

The M.O.S System of judging will be used in all Challenge Cup finals.

In all UPHA Championships, two (2) judges shall be selected by horse show management and one judge shall be furnished by the UPHA, Inc. and selected from nominations by the UPHA Challenge Cup/Equitation Committee. A list shall be furnished annually to respective horse show managements.

In all Championships the preliminary work is called Phase I, in which all contestants must work as a group (or in groups) of twenty (20) or less on the rail and complete an appropriate individual workout. A minimum of twelve (12) and no more than fourteen (14) riders shall be chosen for Phase II - the Championship class. In all Championships, no predetermined number of riders need be selected from each group. Exceptions: A.) In the UPHA 10 & Under Walk/Trot Championship, riders will work in groups of twelve (12) or less and will not be asked to perform an individual workout. Ten (10) riders shall be chosen to return for Phase II. B.) If the Championships are divided because of the number of entries, they will be split by every other number. Each division of riders will compete at the walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring and line up. The division will be dismissed on standby, with the individual workouts immediately following completion of the railwork by that group. On completion of the individual workouts, the riders in that group shall be excused and the next division shall begin the railwork and individual workout phase and so on for each section of riders.

Individual copies of the judges' Phase I workout must be available to each rider in the horse show office no less than one (1) hour or more than two (2) hours prior to the performance.

In all National and Junior Championships, Phase I and II must be judged as a continuous class and will be evaluated using a 1/3 - 1/3 - 1/3 analysis. In Phase I, the railwork and individual workout shall each constitute 1/3 of the overall judging, or 2/3 of the total class. Phase II - the Championship, in which only railwork is performed, shall constitute the remaining 1/3 of the total class.

Exception: The UPHA 10 & Under Walk/Trot Championship will be judged 50% on Phase I and 50% on Phase II since only railwork is required.

In all Junior Championships (Riders 13 & Under), judges are cautioned not to ask for an inappropriate, or illegal, workout. Thirteen and under riders may be asked to perform AHSA tests #1 through #12. They are not permitted to change leads on or off the rail. Simple serpentines and figure eights are acceptable, however, diagonal line changes (which include a canter or any line cantering off the rail) are not permitted in any manner. The basic figures, or combination of the basic figures, are the intent in all Junior Championships.

There will be no less than six (6) hours between the end of Phase I and the beginning of Phase II, and no more than two (2) consecutive days between the two Phases. When the riders return to the ring for Phase II, the announcer is to state that they have previously been judged on rail and figure work.

No individual workouts will be permitted in Phase II, however, at the judges' discretion, selected riders may be asked to do additional railwork as a group for the purpose of breaking a tie(s). They may not be asked to exchange horses or ride without irons.

In all Championships, a Champion and Reserve Champion shall be chosen, with the next eight (8) riders placed in numerical order. Two unannounced reserves should be tied. The "Top Ten" will be announced first, followed by the Reserve Champion and the Champion. It is recommended that all riders be retired to a holding area outside of the ring and then brought back in individually and numerically for the "Top Ten" awards and the presentation of the Reserve Champion and Champion.

The same horse must be used in both Phases of the Championships, unless the animal is sick or lame, in which case a veterinarian's certificate is required.

Specifications and Qualifying Procedure for Individual Programs

All of the individual programs will adhere to the rules and guidelines which govern the UPHA Challenge Cup class unless otherwise specified under the following breed/divisional sections.

All breed/divisional qualifying classes, except the 10 & Under Walk/Trot class, MUST perform the mandatory workout.

The term "open" refers to a Challenge Cup class that is not designated to a particular breed/division. They are referred to as "UPHA Challenge Cup" classes and may be divided into age divisions as outlined in the "ELIGIBILITY" section.

UPHA 10 & Under Walk/Trot Challenge Cup

Open to riders 10 years of age and under.

To be judged on the rail at a walk and trot only.

Rider may not have ever been judged in a class at a recognized or non-recognized show that required a canter. Tournament and academy classes are included as non-recognized shows. A walk and trot rider must canter after the beginning of their nine year old season if they have shown in as many as three seasons in that division.

It is recommended that a class having more than twelve (12) entries be divided. If a division is necessary, the recommended split is to divide the entries into a class for riders 8 years of age and under and one for riders 9 and 10 years of age.

In 10 & Under Walk/Trot classes safety is paramount, therefore headers WILL be permitted in the ring during the line-up. Headers will be called into the ring by the announcer after the class has come to the line up. They may stand their entry on its feet and then stand back two paces from the head. Headers are advised to be courteous and cautious of other entries when entering the ring and while standing in the line up.

All ribbon winners will be eligible for the Championship class. A win of a qualifying class does NOT eliminate a rider from further competition in qualifying classes for the remainder of the season.

Judging specifications for the UPHA 10 & Under Walk/Trot Championship will be 50% on Phase I and 50% on Phase II.

In the UPHA 10 & Under Walk/Trot Championship, ten (10) riders will be chosen from the preliminary Phase I class(es) for the Phase II Championship class.

The winner of the UPHA 10 & Under Walk/Trot Championship will be ineligible for further competition in UPHA 10 & Under Walk/Trot classes; they may compete in other Challenge Cup programs for which they are eligible; i.e.: 17 & Under, 13 & Under.

UPHA Adult Challenge Cup

Open to all amateur riders 18 years of age and over.

All ribbon winners in UPHA Adult Challenge Cup classes will be eligible to compete in the Championship. A win of a qualifying class does not eliminate a rider from further competition in qualifying classes that season.

If the Adult Challenge Cup Championships are divided because of the number of entries, they will be split by every other number. Each division of riders will compete at the walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring and line up.

The Judges will then select a minimum of four (4) riders must perform an appropriate individual workout. Judges may choose any of the recognized Tests #1-#13 and #15-#16 in the USEF rule book, either individually or collectively.

Since there is not a Phase I preliminary in the UPHA Adult Challenge Cup Championship, judging specifications shall be 60% on railwork and 40% on the individual workout.

Winners of the UPHA Adult Challenge Cup Championship will be eliminated from further competition in Adult Challenge Cup classes after two (2) consecutive or nonconsecutive wins of the Championship.

UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup

Open to all riders 17 years of age and under riding a mare or gelding of any breed and pleasure type.

Eligibility to compete in UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup classes and the Championship is limited to those riders who show ONLY pleasure equitation horses of the saddle seat show breeds during a given show season.

Pleasure equitation riders will qualify for the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Championship by placing first or second in a UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup or first through sixth in an open UPHA Challenge Cup qualifying class.

Pleasure equitation riders have the option of showing their pleasure horses in the UPHA National or Junior Challenge Cup Championships as well as in the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Championship. However, they must have separate qualifications for both Championships.

Only a win of an open UPHA Challenge Cup class qualifies a rider for the UPHA National or Junior Challenge Cup Championship.

A win of either an open UPHA Challenge Cup or a UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup eliminates a rider from further competition in that class for the remainder of the qualifying season. The rider may then elect to show in the Challenge Cup division they have not yet won if they need a second qualification for either Championship.

UPHA Morgan, Arabian Breeds and National Show Horse Challenge Cups

Open to riders 17 years of age and under, riding a Morgan, Arabian breed, or National Show Horse mare or gelding.

Morgan, Arabian Breeds, and National Show Horse riders have the option of competing in the National or Junior Championship at the American Royal, Kansas City, MO, and in their respective breed Championship, however, they must have separate qualifications for both Championships.

Morgan, Arabian Breeds, and National Show Horse riders may qualify for their respective breed Championship by placing first or second in a UPHA Challenge Cup class designated to their particular breed, or first through fourth in an "open" UPHA Challenge Cup class and with any age limitation as long as it is in the 17 & under division.

A win of an "open", Morgan, Arabian Breeds, or National Show Horse Challenge Cup class eliminates the rider from further competition in that class for the remainder of the qualifying season. The rider may then elect to compete in any Challenge Cup class for which he/she is eligible in order to comply with the "separate qualification" rule if the rider intends to show in more than one Challenge Cup Championship.

Morgan, Arabian Breed, and National Show Horse show managements, officials and judges MUST adhere to all rules, regulations, judging specifications, qualifying and Championship class procedures as outlined previously in the guidelines sections and with respect to the wishes of the UPHA. Rules and specifications may not be altered in any manner by show management or breed organizations without express permission from the UPHA Board of Directors.

UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup Class Specifications Qualifying Class (Revised 2011)

• Open to all English equitation riders twelve years of age and over, with a mental or physical handicap, riding a mare or gelding of any breed. The trot must be a true two beat diagonal gait.
• Open to walk and trot riders only. Rider must never have been judged in a class at a recognized or non-recognized show that required a canter. Tournament and Academy classes are considered non-recognized shows
• A first place win in an Exceptional Challenge Cup Class does not eliminate the rider from further competition for the remainder of the qualifying season.
• English equipment shall be used (i.e.; saddle seat, hunt seat, dressage). They may also use protective and adaptive equipment necessary to them and to the division in which they show as long as it conforms with the U.S. national rules governing riders with disabilities.
• In the National Championship all exhibitors must work as a group (or in groups) of twelve (12), unless show management feels there is a safety issue, as such time management reserves the right to split at eight (8) to ten (10) riders. Riders will compete on the rail at a walk and trot both ways of the ring, line up and complete an individual workout. If a class is divided because of size, it will be split by every other number. If division(s) of the class is necessary, each section will perform both rail work and the individual workout before calling the next section. Riders will remain in the line-up inside the ring throughout the individual workout portion of the class.
• To be judged on the rail and in a mandatory individual workout at a walk and trot only. Correct diagonals shall be taken into consideration on the rail and in the individual trotting serpentine workout.
• Judging in all UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup classes is based 60% on the rail and 40% on the individual workout.
• The mandatory workout in all qualifying competitions is: “Trot a serpentine to the opposite end of the ring. Return down either rail at a show/extended trot.” Judges are not permitted to alter the mandatory workout in any manner. (For the sake of definition, a serpentine is: “a series of half-circles performed along an imaginary straight line,” a show trot is “the degree of speed, collection, and animation that your horse performs to look its best,” and an extended trot is: “a bold energetic, balanced and ground covering trot with a definite lengthening of stride resulting in an increase of speed without a sense of racing or straining”.)
• In all qualifying classes, the top four (4) riders MUST be asked to perform the prescribed mandatory individual workout; more may be worked at the judge’s discretion.
• UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup judging specifications are to be read by the announcer as the riders enter the ring. After the riders have been judged in both directions on the rail they will line up on one side of the ring. At that time, the announcer shall read and repeat, twice, the mandatory individual workout.
• Trophy and eight (8) places shall be awarded with participation ribbons going to the remaining entries in the class. The top six (6) places shall qualify for the National Championship at the American Royal in Kansas City, MO.
• One (1) handler per entry shall be permitted in the ring to facilitate the safety of the rider. Handlers shall stand quietly as a group in a designated area of the ring unless their assistance is required and requested by the judge(s) or ringmaster, and in accordance with the U.S. national rules governing competitors with disabilities
• Winners of the Exceptional Challenge Cup Finals shall be eliminated from further competition. In the UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup program after three (3) consecutive or non-consecutive wins of the Finals class.
• The UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup class shall be conducted under the express ruling of the Competition Association of North American Riding for Handicapped Association (CAN), the United States Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association (USCPAA), the national governing body of Special Olympics Committee, in conjunction with the United Professional Horsemen’s Association, Inc (UPHA)

UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup Class Specifications
Walk-Trot-Canter Class

• Open to all English equitation riders twelve years of age and over, with a mental or physical handicap, riding a mare or gelding of any breed. The trot must be a true two beat diagonal gait.
• Open to walk, trot and canter riders. Once a rider shows in a walk, trot and canter class the rider may never be judged in a walk and trot class at a recognized or non-recognized show. Tournament and Academy classes are considered non-recognized shows.
• Please follow the remaining specs from the UPHA Exceptional Cup Qualifying class.

UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup Class Championship
Class Procedure and Judging Specifications
Revised January 2011

• Open to all English Equitation riders twelve (12) years of age and over, with a mental or physical handicap, riding a mare or gelding of any breed. The trot must be a true two beat diagonal gait.
• Open to Walk and Trot riders only. Riders must never have been judged in a class at a recognized or non-recognized show that required a canter. Tournaments and Academy classes are considered non-recognized shows.
• A first place win in a UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup class does not eliminate that rider from further competition for the remainder of the qualifying season. Winners of the UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup Finals shall be eliminated from further competition in the UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup program after three (3) consecutive or nonconsecutive wins of the Finals class.
• In the UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup Finals, all exhibitors must work as a group (or in groups) of twelve (12), unless show management feels there is a safety issue, at such time management reserves the right to split at eight (8) to ten (10) riders. Riders will compete on the rail at a walk and trot both ways of the ring, line up and complete an individual workout. If a class is divided because of size, it will be split by every other number. If division(s) of the class is necessary, each section will perform both rail work and the individual workout before calling the next section. Riders will remain in the lineup inside the ring throughout the individual workout portion of the class.
• The individual workout for the Finals will be the mandatory workout required in the qualifying class: “Trot a serpentine to the opposite end of the ring. Return down either rail at a show/extended trot.” Correct diagonals shall be taken into consideration on the rail and in the individual trotting serpentine workout
• The judging specifications shall be based 60% on rail work and 40% on the individual workout, the same as the qualifying classes. Should the judges require a second rail work for the purpose of tying the class, the specifications shall be 1/3-1/3-1/3. One third on the primary rail work, one third on the workout and one third on the second rail work. No predetermined number need be selected from each group. No more than ten (10) riders may be asked to return to Phase II of the National Championship
• Riders may wear any standard of dress that is appropriate for the discipline they are riding (i.e.; saddle sear, hunt seat, dressage) They may also use protective and adaptive equipment necessary to them and to the division in which they show, as long as it conforms to the U.S. National Rules governing riders with disabilities.
• One (1) handler per entry shall be permitted in the ring to facilitate the safety of the rider. Handlers shall stand quietly as a group in a designated area of the ring unless their assistance is requested by the judge(s) or ringmaster, and in accordance with the U.S. National Rules governing competitors with disabilities.
• The “Top Ten” riders shall be chosen for the awards presentation ceremony. From that group, a Champion and Reserve Champion shall be tied. The “Top Ten” shall be announced first and called in individually and numerically for the ribbon presentation and photograph with their instructor/handler, who will then remain in the ring with their riders. Immediately following will be the presentation to the Reserve Champion and then the National Champion. Each rider will then make a victory pass down the designated rail of the ring and exit. The numerical eight of the “Top Ten” shall be called first, followed by the Reserve Champion and finally the National Champion. UPHA representative will be on hand to fully explain this procedure to the instructors prior to the class
• The remaining Top Eight riders will qualify for Physically Challenged and Non- Physically Challenged awards. A Champion and Reserve Champion will be awarded for each of these divisions.
• The UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup Class shall be conducted under the express ruling of the Competition Association of North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (CAN), the United States Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association (USCPAA), the national governing body of the Special Olympics Committee, in conjunction with the United Professional Horsemen’s Association, Inc.

UPHA Junior & Associate Membership

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 Youth 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 insure that their exposure to the horse industry is educational, rewarding and enjoyable.

Click here to download the Challenge Cup History (.pdf)

UPHA Challenge Cup Results Form (.pdf)

Click here to download the application form (.pdf)