UPHA Update
Monday, September 14, 2020
Dear UPHA Members:
COVID-19 has caused many changes in our world and has had a significant impact on our sport. We have all learned to wear our face coverings, practice social distancing and elbow bump instead of shaking hands or giving hugs. It has been a steep learning curve, but our equine industry has risen to the challenge and prevailed when many other sports have faltered.
The United Professional Horsemen’s Association Executive Board has been meeting to address the many challenges our industry and membership are encountering as we all navigate through this very unusual year. Our goal has been to find the most positive outcome for our members and our industry. Some decisions we have made have been difficult, but necessary, in order to insure the safety and well-being of our community.
The following paragraphs will highlight the decisions made with a brief explanation of the process utilized in making them.
The UPHA Executive Board has voted to host a virtual annual meeting in January of 2021, in lieu of an in person conference, due to ongoing social distancing and group gathering restrictions related to COVID-19.
Upon recommendation from the UPHA Awards Committee, the UPHA Executive Board voted to only award the Tom Moore Hall of Fame, Helen K. Crabtree Instructor Hall of Fame, Larry Bacon Lifetime Achievement Award and the Alvin C. Ruxer Lifetime Commitment Award for 2020. Recipients will be announced, recognized via social media and given the opportunity of receiving the awards in person at the 2022 UPHA National Conference. The UPHA Executive Board, as recommended by the UPHA Awards Committee, voted to not give awards pertaining specifically to the 2020 show season.
These decisions were not made lightly and come as our industry continues to suffer from the negative effects COVID-19 has had on horse shows, our professionals and owners. UPHA appreciates the show organizers, staff and volunteers for their tireless work to make shows happen under COVID-19 restrictions and recognize the effort and sacrifice exhibitors made to support these shows.
The UPHA looks forward to returning to our original format in January of 2022 with a spectacular annual conference to be held with our affiliates at the beautiful Renaissance Orlando Hotel located across from SeaWorld, in Orlando, Florida.
Sincerely,
UPHA President
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