The United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) recently announced that Barbara Goodman Manilow has agreed to sponsor the UPHA Open Gate Learning Center program at the 2024 Kentucky State Fair World's Championship Horse Show. The Center is an on-site study and learning center for young equestrians competing at the World's Championship Horse Show in Louisville, Ky.

The center provides academic support to equestrian student-athletes, grades 5-12, who are away from their local schools while exhibiting at competitions. Students can stay abreast of their academic requirements in the center's structured learning environment. The center is supervised by a professional teacher who provides basic academic support such as clarification of assignments, proofreading work, proctoring tests, and answering students' questions. The center will work with teachers from the student's school to help guide the student's academic activities while absent. The center can receive assignments, PowerPoint notes, outlines, etc. from teachers throughout the competition.

The center is available to students beginning Monday, August 19 through Saturday, August 24. The program is free to youth who are current members of UPHA; participation is offered for a $200 fee to non-members. Students must complete an application before the show to participate. Space is limited; applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

The application deadline is Friday, August 9, 2024.

If you have any questions, contact Debbie Murphy at 804-366-9455 or email opengatelearningcenter@gmail.com

The application can be found here.