How to Hold a
UPHA Challenge Cup
Qualifying Class
For permission to hold a UPHA Challenge Cup qualifying class, an application must be
submitted 30 days prior to the start of the horse show. The application can be emailed
to info@uphaonline.com, faxed: (859) 255-2774, or mailed to UPHA, P.O. Box 3728,
Midway, KY 40347.
Horse Show Information:
1. General
a. Shows must be open to outside entries, have a published class schedule, and announce a judge at least 30 days prior to the start of the competition.
b. The show must have two (2) saddle seat equitation classes in addition to the Challenge Cup class, except at shows hosting the National Championship classes.
c. No minimum number of entries is required to fill a class.
d. UPHA Challenge Cup judging specifications are to be read by the
announcer as the riders enter the ring.
e. Qualifying classes may be held
2. Application
a. An application to hold UPHA Challenge Cup class(s) must be submitted 30 days prior to the start of the show.
b. There is no charge to the show for hosting a class.
c. The application form also serves as an order form for the cups to be awarded as the class trophy. UPHA orders the cups from Fair Publishing on behalf of the show. You should receive the cup(s) at least two weeks
before your show. If you do not receive the cup(s) at least two weeks before your show, please contact the UPHA office at info@uphaonline.com or by phone at 859-231-5070 for assistance.
d. Even if no cups are needed, an application to offer the classes, with contact information completed, must be submitted to the UPHA office prior to the competition.
3. Division of Classes:
a. A show may offer more than one UPHA Challenge Cup class. Challenge Cup classes may be offered by breed/division and with specified age limits.
b. If divisions are necessary, classes may be split into age groups as follows,
with separate awards.
Walk/Trot 8 years of age and under
Walk/Trot 9 to 10 years of age
Junior for riders 13 & under
Senior for riders 14-17
c. In Walk & Trot classes, it is recommended that a class with more than twelve (12) entries be divided.
4. Membership:
All riders must be UPHA members before showing in any UPHA Challenge Cup class. If a rider is not a current UPHA member, a membership application and payment must be completed at the show and submitted to the Show Secretary before competing in the class.
Show Secretaries may check membership online here:
https://uphai.memberclicks.net/public-directory#/
A UPHA membership application can be found on our website here:
https://www.uphaonline.com/_files/ugd/3a4d52_4d62a83eff544794bd929078d886979c.
pdf
5. Awards
a. The traditional trophy for all UPHA Challenge Cup classes is a julep cup. The show is responsible for paying Fair Publishing for the Challenge Cup trophy. Fair Publishing will ship the cups directly to the contact person
listed on the application and bill the show for the cups.
b. Eight (8) places must be tied. The show is responsible for providing its own set of ribbons.
6. Wording for Prize list:
a. 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. Riders compete at the walk, trot and canter both directions of the ring. Showmanship is paramount throughout the class. Judging is based 60% on rail work and 40% on the individual workout. The top four (4) riders must be worked individually; more may be worked at the judge’s discretion.
b. UPHA PLEASURE CHALLENGE CUP. Open to all saddle seat equitation riders 17 years of age and under riding a mare or gelding of any breed and pleasure type. Riders compete at the walk, trot and canter both
directions of the ring. Showmanship is paramount throughout the class. Judging is based 60% on rail work and 40% on the individual workout. The top four (4) riders must be worked individually; more may be worked at the judge’s discretion.
c. UPHA MORGAN, ARABIAN BREEDS, AND NATIONAL SHOW HORSE
CHALLENGE CUPS. Open to riders 17 years of age and under, riding a Morgan, Arabian Breeds, or National Show Horse mare or gelding. Riders compete at the walk, trot and canter both directions of the ring. Judging is based 60% on rail work and 40% on the individual workout. The top four (4) riders must be worked individually; more may be worked at the judge’s discretion.
d. UPHA ADULT CHALLENGE CUP. Open to all amateur riders 18 years of age and over riding a mare or gelding of any breed. Riders compete at the walk, trot and canter both directions of the ring. Showmanship is
paramount throughout the class. Judging is based 60% on rail work and 40% on the individual workout. The top four (4) riders must be worked individually; more may be worked at the judge’s discretion.
e. UPHA 10 & UNDER WALK/TROT CHALLENGE CUP. Open to riders 10 years of age and under riding a mare or gelding of any breed. 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 competition that required a canter. This also includes Tournament and Academy classes.
One attendant without whip is permitted to head each horse during the line-up. The header may stand the entry on its feet and then must stand three paces back from the horse and is only allowed to touch the horse for safety purposes.
7. Mandatory Workout
The mandatory workout in all qualifying classes (except Walk & Trot) 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 as to create a clear area for the serpentine.
8. Judges
a. In USEF competitions, Open UPHA Challenge Cup qualifying classes (which includes UPHA walk/trot 10 & under) must be judged by an Open Saddle Seat Equitation carded judge.
b. Competitions may request a guest card to fulfill this purpose, provided the judge has not already used two guest cards in the Open Saddle Seat Equitation division.
c. Breed UPHA Challenge Cup qualifying classes (which includes the Arabian Breeds Challenge Cup class) held at USEF competitions may be judged by an Open Saddle Seat Equitation carded judge or a judge licensed in the respective breed.
d. Non-USEF Competitions - A licensed judge is not required. However, it is recommended that the judge have experience in Saddle Seat equitation as an instructor, trainer, or exhibitor.
9. Results
a. Results from the classes must be reported within 10 days of the show's end.
b. Show Secretaries may email their class sheets with results to info@uphaonline.com or submit them using the UPHA results form.
c. Please notify the UPHA office by email if a UPHA Challenge Cup class has no entries.
10. Policies and Procedures
In agreeing to hold UPHA Challenge Cup classes at your horse show, the show subscribes to the rules of the UPHA Challenge Cup program, UPHA Bylaws, UPHA Athlete Protection Policy, and the UPHA Code of Ethics, and agrees to abide by them.
UPHA Challenge Cup Program information can be found on our website here:
https://www.uphaonline.com/challenge-cup
The UPHA Bylaws can be found on our website here:
https://www.uphaonline.com/bylaws
The UPHA Athlete Protection Policy can be found on our website here:
https://www.uphaonline.com/athlete-protection-policy
The UPHA Code of Ethics can be found on our website here:
https://www.uphaonline.com/code-of-ethics
Application to Host a Qualifying Class and Results Reporting form can be found
here: https://www.uphaonline.com/download-forms