UNITED PROFESSIONAL HORSEMEN'S ASSOCIATION

For over 50 years, UPHA has had a profound impact on our show horse community. In 1968, a group of professional horsemen and horsewomen had a desire to unite to improve conditions at horse shows and better the sport of showing horses. They established an organization that would give a unified voice to the horseman in an effort to improve the show horse industry for our equine partners, grooms, owners and professionals.

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UPHA supports and assists their fellow horsemen and community through:

 

Programs

• UPHA Classics has paid out millions of dollars to owners and trainers to promote the breeding and showing of quality young horses and ponies.

• UPHA Challenge Cup promotes Saddle Seat Equitation across breed lines and supports riders with physical and mental challenges through the Exceptional Challenge Cup.

• UPHA Dewey Henderson Benevolent Fund available to UPHA Professional members in good standing to assist in emergency and crisis situations.

• Professional Development Grant created to assist UPHA members seeking to continue their education to advance their equestrian business endeavors.

• Maria Knight Scholarship available for children of UPHA professional members to help with higher education.

• Sandra Hall Scholarship available for UPHA members who are high school seniors or college freshman pursuing higher education.

• UPHA Ribbons of Service program encourages youth to give back by raising funds for charity while competing, promoting community service, leadership and compassion. Participants have raised over $1 million in donations for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and other charities.

 

Horse Shows

• Works to improve the horse show industry in cooperation with the American Horse Council, USEF and breed organizations.

• Provides safety guidelines and emergency equipment for show ring emergencies.

• Helps ensure fairness of competition, rules, drug testing, ring conditions, stabling and judging.

• Improvement in quality of shows, including grounds, footing, and grooms facilities.

• Increased support for shows, show management, and exhibitors to help ensure all horse shows remain viable.

Business Relationships

• Improves sales, camaraderie and business relationships in active and engaged chapters.     

• Improves communication between owners and trainers.

• Membership is held to the standards outlined in the UPHA Code of Ethics.

• Educates lawmakers about our trotting breeds and correctness of gait

• Founding member of the Joint Leadership Council.

• Support programs to develop and train professional caretakers.

• Support college programs focused on educating future professional horsemen and women.

• Authored educational pamphlets to introduce and familiarize people with the show horse and the industry.

• Created a consent waiver for minor athletes and their parents.

• Created a social media agreement and a best practices guide to promote positive and thoughtful social media behaviors.

 

Since its inception, the UPHA has continued to strive to uphold the standards established by its founding members. We hope you will join us in our mission of horsemen helping horsemen by choosing to become a member of UPHA.