UPHA Trainers Horsemanship Challenge 2026 — Ocala, FL

Join us for the UPHA Trainer's Horsemanship Challenge class, the final event of the Thursday evening session at the Ocala International Horse Show. HOW IT WORKS : Trainers will compete aboard Academy-type horses that they have provided or borrowed. Trainers will ride first direction at the walk, trot, and canter, along with any additional commands selected by the judge. The line-up will then be called for. For the second direction, trainers will be asked to swap horses with another trainer (the methodology of how swapping will work is being kept a surprise!). The trainers will then ride the second direction of the ring at a walk, trot, and canter to complete the class. The judges will then tie the class. COST & ENTRY: Entries are limited to the first 25 riders signed up through the online portal. The entry fee is $200 per trainer. $100 of this entry fee will benefit the UPHA Young Professionals, and the other $100 will benefit the Ocala International Horse Show. Trainers must sign up on the online donation website and pay the fee to the horse show office. Hannah Sette and Emma Caruso will assist in finding horses for trainers who would like to participate but do not have a horse available. SO, WHAT'S THE CATCH? Prior to the Trainer's Horsemanship Challenge, UPHA Young Professionals will auction off five "Command Spots" via a silent auction on a table by the VIP Dinner Ticket Table. The five highest bidders will submit one horsemanship command for the judges to incorporate during the Challenge class. Judges will ensure that the requests are appropriate, safe, and suitable for the horses and riders and will have full discretion about when the commands will be given during the class. Examples of submitted commands could include: • Canter with one hand. • Perform a lead change down the center of the arena before changing direction. • Change posting diagonals every three strides. • Halt and immediately pick up the opposite lead. WHAT TO WEAR/TACK: All participating trainers will wear an official UPHA Trainer's Horsemanship Challenge t-shirt paired with traditional jodhpurs. Horses must be ridden Saddle Seat. The use of spurs and whips are optional. Additional t-shirts will be offered for sale for $25 to any spectators! PRIZES: $5,000 will be awarded in cash prizes to all ribbon winners in the Challenge class (1st - $2,000, 2nd - $1,000, 3rd - $500, 4th - $500, 5th - $250, 6th - $250, 7th - $200, 8th - $150, 9th - $100, 10th - $50), along with ribbons and baseball caps. The trainer who raises the most money will receive a package from Freedman Tous les Jours Performance Jods, work boots, and a sweatshirt (ladies) or polo shirt (men). For any questions or information on how to sign up, contact Emma Caruso at 781-361-3663 or emmamcaruso@gmail.com. Thank you to our prize sponsors for helping us make this happen! Anne Tasch Elizabeth Ghareeb Diane Sembler Kamins Julia Sampsel Chris Tresten Allen Bosworth Jeff Winton Customers of Heritage Stables The Schaffel Family Chapter 6/7 Freedman Harness Cater Stables Reindance Stables US Saddle Seat Association