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The year 2018 was one of change for the United Professional Horsemen's Association Ribbons of Service program. Participation levels were developed as an incentive to reward youth with gifts and recognition for completing community service hours and collecting donations for their approved nonprofit charity. In an effort to include college students, the program participant age was increased to 21 & under.

These changes proved to be rewarding as participants were honored with gifts and scholarships at the 2019 UPHA National Conference which took place January 15-19, 2019 in Palm Springs, California. 

Congratulations to the Ribbons of Service participants completing a minimum of 10 community service hours and fundraising a minimum of $1,000 to achieve the Platinum Level:

• Annalina Reis
• Brianna Tolkacz
• Erin McNaughton
• Gwyneth Hamrah
• Jacqueline Schatzberg
• Jordyn Isgrigg
• Kendall Kelledy
• Kennedy Wilson
• Kennedy Wisdom
• Lauren Stuckmeyer
• Matthew Tasch
• Maya Tasch
• Sophie Proctor
• Sydney LoCascio
• Taylor Thompson

Scholarships are graciously donated to reward those participants raising the most funds or completing the most community service hours. Congratulations to the following participants earning scholarships for their efforts in 2018:

Annalina Reis: Grace Arnold Western Seat Western Seat-Overall Top Fundraiser

Brianna Tolkacz: Dave and Sarah Patton American Saddlebred Breed Performance 14-17-Top Fundraiser; Louise Bennett Saddlebred Breed Community Service Award; UPHA Performance Rider/Driver Award-Overall Top Fundraiser

Jacqueline Schatzberg: Golden Creek Farm, Inc. Morgan Breed Saddle Seat Equitation Award-Top Fundraiser; Becker Brothers, LLC. Saddle Seat Equitation Youngest Participant Award

Jordyn Isgrigg: Top Fundraiser; Golden Creek Farm, Inc. Saddle Seat Equitation Overall Award-Top Fundraiser; Golden Creek Farm, Inc. American Saddlebred Saddle Seat Equitation-Top Fundraiser; Kenneth & Ceil Wheeler Saddle Seat Equitation Rider Community Service Award

Kendall Kelledy: Louise Bennett Hackney Pony Breed Community Service Award

Lauren Stuckmeyer: Charles N. Gish Memorial Morgan Breed Performance Rider/Driver Award 17 & Under-Top Fundraiser; David and Sharon Cole Morgan Breed Performance Rider or Driver Community Service Award; Terri and Roland Sturm Family Foundation Morgan Breed Hunt Seat-Top Fundraiser

Matthew Tasch: Grace Arnold Hackney Pony Breed-Top Fundraiser; Independent Equine Agents Performance Rider/Driver Youngest Participant Award

The United Professional Horsemen's Association Ribbons of Service program teaches UPHA members, age 21 & under, the importance of community service by donating their time to those in need while learning the value of helping those less fortunate by raising money for charity. Since the program's inception, participants in the Ribbons of Service program have collected and distributed more than $368,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and other charities.

Thank you to the program's 2018 in-kind donors: Terry Bennett’s Tack, Commotion!, Freedman’s, Howie Schatzberg Photography, Mod Jods, My Trainer’s Closet, National Horseman.

Thank you to the 2018 UPHA Ribbons of Service scholarship donors: Arcola Farm - Ronald and Kirsten Johnson, Becker Brothers LLC, Champions Way LLC/In memory of Charles N. Gish, David and Sharon A. Cole, East Belmont Stables - Kenneth and Ceil Wheeler, Friend of Dave and Sarah Patton, Golden Creek Farms Inc., Grace Arnold, Independent Equine Agents, Louise Gaylord Bennett, Stonegate Saddlebreds Inc., Terri and Roland Sturm Family Foundation, Tri Color Ventures Inc., William Woods University

For additional program information, visit the program website here: UPHA Ribbons of Service. 2019 UPHA Ribbons of Service Application.

-- via UPHA