By Mary Orr, High Caliber Stables, Greensboro, N.C.

When you walk into the stands during the UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup Class at the UPHA American Royal in Kansas City, all you have to do is take one look at the parents watching their children in the ring compete on some of the most patient, kind and understanding horses. You will see the joy and determination in the riders' faces as they work with their instructors, showing the hard work and hours they have spent to have the opportunity to compete, just like everyone else. Look at how important and meaningful this moment is to so many people. When you really take this all in you will be reminded of what really matters when competing and showing horses. Every ribbon matters; the color of the ribbon does not. Every trip around the ring is valuable. There is no criticism — just focus and determination, good coaching, and the beautiful bond between horse, rider and instructor that reminds us of the many things that are still right with the world. 

The UPHA American Royal provides so many magical moments for the exhibitors and participants. It's the final leg of the American Saddlebred Triple Crown, the incredible equitation finals for the USEF Medal and the UPHA Challenge Cup for the Walk and Trot Riders, the Junior Equitation Riders and the Senior Equitation Riders. It's a glance at the future show ring stars being presented in the UPHA Classics, Hackney Ponies, Roadsters and Saddlebreds. This UPHA American Royal is the culmination of the season, and for some, the final show of their junior exhibitor careers. You cannot forget the Missouri/Kansas divisions for the horses that have been competing all year in their region. Everywhere you look, this horse show is full of excitement, tradition and meaning.

If you just look you will see the UPHA American Royal represents the best of our horses and our people that we love and appreciate. There is the beauty of the past and the promise of the future. Take a look at all the riders and horses that make up an industry that has so much to offer. The UPHA American Royal is a special horse show that, regardless of your perspective, brings so many people together from all over the United States to compete, to give back and to work together to share the passion of riding, driving and showing the horses and ponies we love. 

Come ... take just one look.

UPHA Unveils New "UNITED" Promotional Video

The UPHA Marketing Committee, in conjunction with its High Performance Team ReinMaker, is excited to debut the first of a series of promotional videos highlighting UPHA's many programs and wider endeavors.

Sharpen your skills, discover resources, and find inspiration at the 2024 UPHA National Conference, January 24-27 in Lexington, Kentucky. This year’s conference, hosted at the picturesque Griffin Gate Marriott, delivers a mix of the educational and informative content attendees want, plus fun filled social events to reconnect with friends and celebrate the 2023 show season. This year’s conference features an all-day comprehensive Live Clinic hosted at Grey Ridge Farm on Friday, where top industry professionals will address multiple topics to interest both the professional and associate membership, alike. Multiple forums focused on teambuilding at the local level will be featured to inspire community within the local UPHA Chapters and better enhance the equine experience for all participants. Spectacular events are planned such as the Wednesday night welcome reception at the famed Kentucky Castle, Thursday night “Denim and Diamonds” themed awards celebration and the Saturday evening “Hall of Fame Gala." 

The premier conference for horse people is waiting for you … join us!

For more information, go to UPHAOnline.com

You'll want to update your follows and likes, because UPHA is making noise at the Royal and you won't want to miss it! We've assigned a content creator to share all the goings-on before, during, and after the horse show. You'll find our activity on Facebook and Instagram — click the logos at the bottom of this ConnEQtion newsletter to go straight to our channels. Click, follow, like and join us for entertaining content!

The Kentucky Horse Park, owner of UPHA's building, has notified UPHA and other tenants of KHP's intent to demolish certain buildings on KHP's Lexington, Ky., campus, citing construction faults and excessive replacement costs. UPHA's leadership has carefully evaluated options, and chosen to enter a lease agreement for a store-front building in quaint, equine-centered Midway, Ky. Leasehold improvements have begun, and we'll keep you apprised of our move-in date and new address. We're looking forward to providing inviting and functional space for visitors, small group meetings, and our employees, by early 2024. Watch for updates.

The UPHA has submitted a letter regarding the proposed changes by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Inspection Services (APHIS) to strengthen enforcement of the Horse Protection Act regulation. While UPHA was pleased by the retention of changes requested by its 2016 comment, it did request that APHIS change the ambiguous term “racking horses”, used throughout the new rule, to “Racking Horses” to target a specific breed of horse with a history of soring. The UPHA letter has been posted on Regulations.gov. Click here to read UPHA's comments. 

Have ideas or thoughts you'd like to share with the UPHA community? You're invited to share the mike on UPHA's social media and in ConnEQtion! Send us your fresh ideas, tips, shout-outs, questions or favorite equine moments via written article (we will edit for you) or brief video segment. Submit to: info@uphaonline.com

We're waiting to hear from you. And, thanks!

Want To Stay ConnEQted?



Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

This ConnEQtion newsletter has been created, developed and brought to you by the UPHA Marketing Committee's High Performance Team Reinmaker.