United Professional Horsemen's Association

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.

2010 ROS Winners Honored in Boston

Hall of Fame Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling was the guest speaker for the sell out crowd that came to honor the Ribbons of Service winners at the 2011 Convention in Boston, MA. He was very complimentary of the Ribbons of Service program, of the youth who are involved, and of the UPHA as a whole. Schilling was a gifted speaker who touched both sports fans and non-sports fans alike. He spoke of success and hard work and challenges along the way. “There is a difference in losing and failure,” said Schilling. “We all lose. There can only be one winner, so we will all lose plenty of times in our life. But that’s not failing. You can only fail if you quit.”

The Ribbons of Service program has been wildly successful. In 2010, $37,612 were raised of which $35,000 went to St. Jude’s (some participants chose other charities but all are approved nonprofit organizations). In the two year history of the program, our riders have raised over $73,000.

Kristen Smith, trained by Cindy Boel, was both the American Saddlebred division and overall winner of the program with the most money raised ($7,860) and the most number of community service hours (111 hours). She received scholarships from the USA Equestrian Trust for $7,500, $1500 from Kenny and Ceil Wheeler for the most hours served, and a $3,000 scholarship to Stephens College. She also received prizes from Freedman Harness and The Gorgeous Horse.

Audrey Lowry, trained by her parents Jim and Faye Lowry, was the Morgan winner for the second year in a row, raising $2,910 and serving 43 hours of community service. She received a $2,500 scholarship from the USA Equestrian Trust as well as the prizes from Freedman Harness and The Gorgeous Horse.

Carey Cosgrove was the Arabian breed winner, trained by Beverly Shiflet. She raised $1,000 and completed 21.5 hrs of service. Jordyn Isgrigg, trained by Jimmy and Helen Robertson, was the youngest participant with the most funds raised ($7,860) and the most hours worked (74.5 hours). At only nine years old, this walk and trot rider received the Becker Brother’s $2,000 scholarship and the Independent Equine Agents $1,000 scholarship.

Camille Sarrouf, Board of Director of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital accepted the check for $35,000 from the Ribbons of Service program and spoke about the importance of the mission of St. Jude’s. Putting it in a more personal way was Brian Boucher, the father of a lovely nine-year-old girl, who was saved by a groundbreaking transplant at St. Jude’s after being given no hope. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Boucher spoke of the miracle they had been given by St. Jude’s.

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.

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.

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 each year.

Forms

UPHA Ribbons Of Service Application
UPHA Ribbons Of Service Rules For 2011 Show Season
UPHA Ribbons Of Service Community Service Hours Performed
UPHA Ribbons Of Service Sponsorship Commitment Form (in legal size)

USA Equestrian Trust

Independent Equine Agents

Becker Brothers

Kenny and Ceil Wheeler

Freedman’s Harness

The Gorgeous Horse

Mary Gaylord McClean

Stephens College

Photos

We are all proud of the mission of the Ribbons of Service Program, but this luncheon celebrated that mission and inspired everyone in the room. A gorgeous blanket of ribbons was auctioned off and purchased by Mary McClean for $5000 to add to the proceeds to St. Jude’s. McClean in her generous nature, also donated the blanket back to St. Jude’s to hang in the lobby of the hospital.

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.

Videos

Click Here to watch a video clip about Jordyn Boucher.

Click Here to download a Quicktime movie of Schilling's speech.

Stories

Click Here to download a Quicktime movie of Schilling's speech.

Click Here to read more about Jordyn Boucher's story.

Click Here to download article by Ribbons of Service participant, Hallie Sansbury. "Brother Inspires 'Ribbons of Service' Donation from Sister." The SOFT Times (February/March/April 2010)

Contact

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

Helen Robertson	Helen@InfinityStables.com	(502) 633-0123
Sarah Byers	bdiver14@bellsouth.net	(502) 722-5737
Cindy Zubrod Boel	KMBDrum@aol.com	(502) 228-3377
Kristin Stivers	kstivers@uphaonline.com	(859) 231-5070

Recent News