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A competitive group of riders competed for four UPHA Challenge Cup National Championships held during the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show in Kansas City, MO, November 6-11, 2023.

The UPHA Challenge Cup riders competed in four age groups, from which the following National Champions were crowned: Adult, Senior, Junior, and 10-&-Under Walk-&-Trot. The Junior and Senior age groups performed rail work and a pattern in the Phase I preliminary stage; while the 10-&-Under competitors performed rail work only. Only rail work is required in Phase 2. Showmanship is paramount throughout the class. Judging in all UPHA Challenge Cup classes is based 60% on rail work and 40% on the individual workout.

Judges for the UPHA Challenge Cup Finals were:

Mary Lou Carrick, Gaffney, South Carolina

Renee Lavery, Simpsonville, Kentucky

Cindy Mugnier, Kittery Point, Maine

UPHA Challenge Cup National Finals

Senior Champion:

Isabelle Fischer from Villa Hills, KY was named the UPHA Challenge Cup Senior National Champion. She rode Sugar Fund to top honors under the instruction of Shelley Fisher.

Senior Reserve Champion:

The reserve champion in the Senior division was Payton Duerr, Parker, CO riding Isn't She Something. Duerr is instructed by Knollwood Farm.

Remaining Top Ten:

Richie Dallen, Delafield, WI riding Reedann's Dark Mystery, instructed by Knollwood Farm.

Patrick McMurtrie, Orefield, PA riding Nirvana's Queen of the Night, instructed by Tara Wentz-Goosley.

Ava Perry, Londonderry, NH riding CH Soquili's Curious George, instructed by Cater Stables.

Bostyn Leffler, Zionsville, IN riding Soquili's Written In The Stars, instructed by Select Show Horses.

Alivia Garwood, DeSoto, IA riding CH-EQ TSV The Mystery Continues, instructed Louw Stables.

Maiya Komassa, Oconomowoc, WI riding Who's On First Now, instructed by Knollwood Farm.

Nellie Gest, Marion, MA riding Hazard County, instructed by Milestone Stables.

Marley Elbert, Noblesville, IN riding Groundhog, instructed by Select Show Horses.

Junior Champion:

Brooklyn Gaskill, from Washington Township, OH was named the UPHA Challenge Cup Junior National Champion. She rode CH-EQ Altar of the Sun to top honors under the instruction of Desmar Stables.

Junior Reserve Champion:

The Reserve Champion in the Junior division was Savanna Graham of Brentwood, TN, riding Twenty Four Karat Magic. Graham is instructed by Milestone Stables.

Remaining Top Ten:

Amelia Dyrud, Oconomowoc, WI riding Far Away Garfield, instructed by Knollwood Farm.

Jacqueline Schatzberg, Cave Creek, AZ riding CH-EQ Nuttin More Elegant, instructed by Milestone Stables.

Shaye Jensen, Edgerton, WI riding Fox Grape's Fort Defiance, instructed by Knollwood Farm

Addyson Hamby, Villa Hills, KY, riding Super Scandal, instructed by Desmar Stables.

Brooklyn Whitmore, Hartland, WI riding Gamora, instructed by Knollwood Farm.

Emerson Keely, New Orleans, LA riding Reedann's Heir of Gold, instructed by Cascade Stables.

Delphine Bernstein, Las Vegas, NV riding Something Just Like This, instructed by Allison Deardorff.

Skylar Jones, New Orleans, LA riding CH-EQ She's In Charge, instructed by Cascade Stables.

10-&-Under Walk-&-Trot National Champion:

The Champion in the 10-&-Under Walk-&-Trot division was Mason Granus, Mt. Nebo, WV, riding Brick House. Granus is instructed by Milestone Stables.

10-&-Under Walk-&-Trot Reserve Champion:

The Reserve Champion in the 10-&-Under Walk-&-Trot division was Harper Hamby, Villa Hills, KY, riding Here's Looking At You. This duo is trained by Desmar Stables.

Remaining Top Ten:

Anna Cooper, Quincy, MA riding HS The New York Times Best Seller, instructed by Cater Stables.

Layla Pierce, Waynesburg, PA riding One Black Pearl, instructed by Amanda Pierce.

Ivy Janssen, Waunakee, WI riding CH Cezar's Palace, instructed by Equitate LLC.

Cora Holland, South Charleston, WV riding Bright Desert Moon, instructed by Fiesta Farm.

Brynn Hollander, Kearney, MO riding Viva La Fantasia, instructed by Lisa Hillmer and Missy Smith.

Mackenzie Kool, Eddyville, IA riding Nuttin But Sunshine and Whiskey, instructed by Kelsi Keith-Rusch.

Gemma Detrick, Kearney, MO riding Sweet Merchant, instructed by Janet Green.

Claire Nunney, Medina, OH riding Pinekrest's Born To Perform, instructed by Kathleen Flower.

Adult National Champion:

The Champion in the Adult division was Morgan Peer, Clive, IA riding My Mikimoto. Peer is instructed by Glendale Stables. My Mikimoto is trained by Cascade Stables.

Adult Reserve National Champion:

The Reserve Champion is Kylie Anderson, Mound, MN riding So It Is Stan. Anderson is instructed by Lindsey Swanson.

Remaining Top Ten:

Finn Cooper, Cherry Hills Village, CO riding Take Back The Night. Cooper is instructed by Knollwood Farm.

Katie Rich, Dallas, TX riding Sir Fabulous. Rich is instructed by Stephanie McKinsey.

Macy Brangers, Louisville, KY riding Aunty Bellum. Brangers is instructed by Betsy Webb.

Jen Owen, Lakeville, MN riding What A Face. Owen is instructed by Cory Eickholt.

UPHA Sportsmanship Award

The UPHA Challenge Cup Sportsmanship Award is presented 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: Payton Duerr

UPHA Junior Sportsmanship Award: Brooklyn Whitmore

Thank you to our generous sponsors of the UPHA Challenge Cup National Finals:

Platinum

UPHA Chapter 9 Young Professionals

William Woods University

Gold

Desmar Stables

Dream Blue LLC and Sugar Knoll Farm

Glendale Stables LLC

Knollwood Farm LTD

The Dallen Family

UPHA Chapter 10

Zubrod Stables, Inc.

Silver

Barbara Brown

Milestone Stables, Inc.

Cater Stables

Equitate, LLC

Gilman Stables

Terry Bennett Tack

Cascade Stables, Inc.

Jean Ehlmann

Seldom Seen Farm

Bronze

Redwing Saddlebred Farm LLC

The Winnermark Kids-In memory of Lester Corbett

Fiesta Farm

Linden Hill Stables

In-Kind Donations

Howard Schatzberg Photography

International Show Horse

-- via UPHA