UPHA Ribbons of Service Program
What if … every time you rode through the gate, you were helping someone in need?

Now, saddleseat equitation riders can ride with a new reason in mind: raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the rider’s selected charity.

“It’s a shared-commitment program that encourages riders to show an American Saddlebred, Arabian (including Half-Arabian), Morgan or National Show Horse in saddleseat equitation competitions, and encourages donors to pledge funds for charity for each class in which the rider shows. The rider is not only responsible for raising the donations, but for performing community service as part of his or her own contribution to the effort,” said UPHA President Jim Taylor.

“We are very grateful to the many sponsors – persons and organizations who recognize the value and wholesome benefits of a family’s participation with horses in competition – who have contributed awards, prizes and scholarship funds to reward the equitation riders’ good efforts,” he continued.

What is UPHA Ribbons Of Service?
This UPHA program is designed to encourage, challenge, and reward equitation riders who …
• Participate in horse show competitions in order to raise funds for a charitable organization that helps those less fortunate;
• Commit to helping others through hours of hands-on community service;
• Educate themselves and others about the needs and important work of a charitable organization such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; and
• Prepare themselves to discuss how participation with horses helps riders learn the value of hard work, sportsmanship, poise, and a rewarding relationship with an equine partner.

How does UPHA Ribbons Of Service work?
Saddleseat equitation riders compete with each other to raise funds for an approved charity. First, riders choose a beneficiary -- either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in Memphis, Tenn., or another charity of the rider’s choice that is approved by the UPHA’s Ribbons Of Service Committee. The rider learns about the charity so that he or she may solicit donations for the charity. On November 1, the fundraising begins; the rider approaches persons, companies or organizations that may share an interest in the rider’s commitment to service.

But, UPHA Ribbons Of Service is about more than riders pledging to ride in equitation classes if a donor pledges to contribute funds for a worthy charity; it’s also about involving the equitation rider in hands-on service to persons or organizations that need assistance. The rider’s community service hours must be tracked and verified, and the donations are submitted to UPHA according to the program deadlines. After the end of the program’s season (all funds and forms must be submitted to UPHA Foundation, Inc., by October 31), UPHA will recognize the top fundraisers in a special awards ceremony at the UPHA Convention, held in January.

How you can participate
Saddleseat equitation riders may enroll in the program by submitting a UPHA Ribbons Of Service Application, setting a goal, and developing a plan for raising funds for an approved charitable organization. When UPHA receives your application, you’ll be mailed an approval letter and a package of information.

The first 20 participants will receive a free St. Jude Hope lapel pin, suitable for show ring attire. Information on prizes will be available at UPHAonline.com and may change during the program year.

Forms

Awards, prizes & scholarships
Generous sponsors have offered awards, prizes, and scholarships to reward the most successful UPHA Ribbons Of Service participant in each of the American Saddlebred, Arabian, Morgan, and National Show Horse categories. An overall award is available to the rider who raises the most funds (at least $1,000) and performs the most community service hours (at least 10).  A current list of awards, prizes and scholarships is below; this list is updated from time to time as new contributions are offered by sponsors.  View the listing of AWARDS, PRIZES & SCHOLARSHIPS.

UPHA Ribbons Of Service participants who win their breed division, and the overall winner, will be recognized at the UPHA Convention to be held in January, 2010.

Sponsors
Many persons have contributed prizes, funds, ideas, time and effort in creating and coordinating this program. UPHA Foundation, Inc. greatly appreciates their contributions in helping the UPHA Ribbons Of Service program reach saddleseat equitation riders and those in need:
Kenny & Ceil Wheeler
Mary Gaylord McClean
Freedman’s Harness
The Gorgeous Horse
Churchwell’s Jewelers
Stephens College
Kayce Bell
Andi Bittker
Helen & Jimmy Robertson
Corcel, Inc.
United States Equestrian Trust, Inc.
Lisa Vogel

Who to contact
The UPHA Ribbons Of Service Committee is available to discuss any questions you have about this program.

Helen Robertson hclose8@aol.com (502) 633-0123
Sarah Byers bdiver14@bellsouth.net (502) 722-5737
Cindy Zubrod Boel KMBDrum@aol.com (502) 228-3377

To participate, please complete the application and submit it to UPHA.