A competitive group of riders entered the Youth Arena at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 10th at the All American Horse Classic in Indianapolis, IN all vying for a 2022 UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Finals National Champion title. These riders competed in two groups, from which two National Champions were crowned: Senior and Junior.
Judges for this year's national championship were Sandra Currier of Bellview, TX, James Nichols of Metairie, LA and Barbe Smith of New Orleans, LA. The Junior and Senior age groups performed rail work and a pattern in Phase I preliminary stage on Saturday morning.
The finalists in the Junior division competed in their Phase II that afternoon, after which the Junior champion was crowned, while the Senior riders' Phase II was held during the evening session, after which time the Senior champion was crowned.
Morgan Peer, of Clive, IA was named the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Senior National Champion. Peer rode Nuttin' More Elegant to top honors under the instruction of Kent Swalla. The Reserve Champion in the Senior division was Payton Duerr of Parker, CO. Duerr rode Isn't She Something. She is instructed by Scott and Carol Matton.
The remaining Top Ten were:
Katie Rich, Dallas, TX, riding Sir Fabulous, instructed by Stephanie McKinsey
Abigail Van Kooten, Leighton, IA riding Million Dollar Kiss, instructed by Renae Van Zomeren
Sydney Ladine, Carmel, IN riding Curvy Hips and Red Lips, instructed by Sarah Barclay
Emma Kleba, Sussex, WI riding Impressive Asset, instructed by Scott and Carol Matton
Kate Sturgeon, River Forest, IL riding Dreamacres Lucy in the Sky, instructed by Julie Wroble
Genevieve Arzberger, Waynesville, OH riding Dutchess Sweet Royal Rose, instructed by Erin Boggs-Richey
Alivia Garwood of Urbandale, IA was named the UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup Junior National Champion. Garwood rode TSV The Mystery Continues to top honors under the instruction of Louis Louw. The Reserve Champion in the Junior division was Elizabeth Vinci of Prospect, KY riding Standing Guard. Vinci is instructed by Zubrod Stables.
The remaining Top Ten were:
Isabella Hudson, Chicago, IL riding Mac-A-Dandy, instructed by Julie Wroble
Marley Elbert, Noblesville, IN riding CH-EQ She's In Charge, instructed by Sarah Barclay
Kalli Laird, Greenwood, IN riding Talk Me Up, instructed by Sarah Highsmith
Amelia Dyrud, Oconomowoc, WI riding Castle Booty, instructed by Scott and Carol Matton
Maiya Komassa, Oconomowoc, WI riding Who's On First, instructed by Scott and Carol Matton
Kenlea Koenig, Louisville, KY riding Samurai Cop, instructed by Zubrod Stables
The UPHA Challenge Cup Sportsmanship Award is awarded to the rider who serves as a role model and exhibits characteristics that exemplify positive sportsmanship principles. The award is voted on by their peers in their age division; all riders are eligible who have competed in phase 1 of the Finals.
Congratulations to this year's winners:
UPHA Senior Sportsmanship award winner was Morgan Peer and UPHA Junior Sportsmanship award winner was Elizabeth Vinci.
The UPHA Challenge Cup was established in 1972 to encourage competition for saddle seat equitation riders throughout the nation. The Pleasure Challenge Cup was established in 1992 and a Junior Championship was added in 1999. The mission of the United Professional Horsemen's Association Foundation is to encourage and promote educational activities and competition related to the sport of showing horses. Through our Challenge Cup programs, many juvenile and adult riders have increased their equine knowledge and athletic skills.
For more information on the UPHA Challenge Cup program, visit the website at www.uphaonline.com or contact Jennifer Mellenkamp, UPHA Executive Director at jmellenkamp@uphaonline.com or (859) 231-5070.
--via UPHA