UPHA Chapter 10 Horsemanship Challenge FAQ

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What is the purpose?

The UPHA Chapter 10 Horsemanship Challenge is designed to promote Saddle Seat riding and sportsmanship in a competition atmosphere for riders in the Midwest.  The format of this event was chosen to showcase the rider’s ability.  This competition is open to all advanced non-professional riders ages 14 and over.  

 

What horses can participate?

Every rider must provide a horse. Suitable lesson type horses only will be used.  No show horses.  The horses may be of any breed and compete in show or work bridles, no full bridles or curb bits will be allowed. All trainers or instructors of all riders MUST be a current member of UPHA. 

 

What is the riding attire?

All riders are required to wear a helmet, jods, boots and the UPHA Challenge Shirt provided by the horse show. Riders can wear their hair in a pony tail, braid or traditional bun.  Just be sure your hair does NOT cover up your back number  Note: helmets are required for all ages, not only riders who are 10 and under.

 

What is the format?

The class is open to amateur riders ages 14 & over (note this is a rider’s show age according to ESC rules) who participate in either the show or academy divisions.  It is paramount that all riders who sign up to participate must be advanced riders and must be capable of handling various horses and horses that are new to them.  We will limit the participation to 40 riders (two sections of 20).  

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Please note that Show Management or the UPHA Chapter 10 Chairperson reserves the right to refuse any horse or rider entry that is not deemed appropriate for this class.

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A meeting will take place Friday morning to review how the competition will work and answer any questions the participants or trainers may have. All riders are welcome and encouraged to attend this meeting.  All instructors or trainers who have rider(s) in this class are required to attend this meeting. At this time the horses will be drawn for each rider for the class. Each horse should have an index card associated with it, outlining 3 good things about the horse, and 3 things to look out for. T-Shirts will be distributed in this meeting for the riders.  

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Riders will compete on the horse they drew in the morning meeting, and it will run like a regular class (walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring). There will be one round of competition, and NO patterns. 

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This class will be judged as a Horsemanship Class, meaning how well the rider presents the horse they are on to the judge. Ring position matters.

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We will have 3 sections of horses in the warm-up ring (layout will be handed out at the meeting) grouped by barn.

We do ask that 2 grooms or helpers come to the warm-up ring for each horse, and that saddle pads & girths be provided with the horse. 

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All horses, riders, instructors and riders’ saddles will come to the warm up ring at the beginning of Class 110.  If there is a rider in class 110, we will give that individual enough time to prepare for the class, but not to exceed 15 minutes. When each rider arrives to the warm up ring, go immediately to the barn’s area (will be on layout) that has the horse you picked

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Once your saddle is on your horse, WAIT by your horse – do not get on. We will give the go-ahead to get on by announcing “Riders up!” and you will then have 5 minutes of warm-up.  Spend 2 minutes on each direction and then 1 minute to do whatever you need to do. Trainers and Instructors should help their own riders on their horses during warm-up unless there is a problem with your own horse with another rider on it.  Then we’d like you to go help that rider since that’s your horse and you know it best. 

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Riders will enter the show ring and show!  

 

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