The USPC Convention is packed full of activities and events for all to enjoy. Don't miss this exceptional equine educational event; registration closes at noon on January 3! All horse lovers are welcome, whether you are a member of USPC or not.
Looking for a detailed schedule of events at Convention? Check out the Schedule page!
Presented by Michigan State University/Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports
With support from Riverside Animal Clinic and Saginaw Valley Equine Clinic
Thursday—Sunday
Get to know your favorite animal inside and out, with interactive displays and education in the USPC Anatomy Lab! Come and join Dr. Brad Gordon, DVM and Cindy Healy for some real hands-on experience in the USPC Anatomy Room. With many specimens, this is a terrific way to learn more about our equine partners.
Friday—Sunday
Educational workshops are one of the biggest highlights of the USPC Convention. Equine professionals around the country get together to speak and provide hands-on education on just about every equine topic imaginable.
Workshop Schedule | Workshop Descriptions and Presenter Bios
Want to get in on the fun? Apply to present an educational workshop at the 2026 USPC Convention.
Friday—Sunday
Uncertified through H-A members can participate in activities, see presentations, and do self or expert-guided HM learning. Practice bandaging, discover different kinds of tack, see how many poisonous plants you know, and much more! Newly added is a sample of the Pony Club Badge program, a parallel and supplemental educational program for D members. The Horse Management room is sure to inspire enthusiasts, members, parents, and leaders to learn, teach, and incorporate hands-on methods into local and regional HM programs.
Presented by The Mattingley Leadership Training Fund
Thursday—Friday
Meet with Regional Administration at specially tailored all-day training on Thursday, available exclusively for USPC local and regional leaders. Leadership training covers topics from club/center/region administration and will include an inside scoop on new and exciting programs coming to USPC.
Friday Morning
The National Youth Summit offers youth USPC members an introduction to leadership principles and member opportunities, as well as a forum for membership experience feedback. Members will begin with learning about leadership styles and identifying their own style, explore best teaching practices at mounted and unmounted meetings, get an introduction to ethics, and tips to communicate the benefits of horses and Pony Club to those outside the equine industry.
Thursday—Sunday
Filled with activities, education, and fun, a good time is guaranteed to be had by all at Pony Paddock. Children under 12 can be registered by the day for Pony Paddock through a parent’s registration.
Presented by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation
With support from Kentucky Equine Research, Michigan State University/Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine, and Equestrian College Advisor
Friday—Saturday
The Research Project Fair provides Pony Club members of all ages and certification levels the opportunity to expand their equine knowledge. Individuals or groups can compete in Experimental Projects or Literature Reviews. Celebrate the success of the participants at the Awards Luncheon on Saturday.
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Thursday—Sunday
Come and peruse through USPC’s trade fair! Vendors include both shopping and informational booths.
For more information on ticket prices and meal options, please visit the Convention Registration page.
Ticket Required
USPC’s Regional Administration invites club, center, and region leadership (DCs/JtDCs/CAs/ACAs/RSs/VRSs) and their adult guests to a special evening following the Thursday leadership meetings on January 23. Enjoy socializing during dinner and a private concert performed by one of Traverse City’s own, Drew Hale, winner of the 34th annual Country Showdown national championship.
Open to Leaders/Committees/Board/Advisory members | Friday
We are proud to again offer Professional Development training during the USPC Convention led by return speaker Jay McChord. Through his session, Relevant Leadership - Leading & Communicating More Effectively in Our Unique Times, USPC leaders will learn new tools for effectively communicating, building stronger communication, and learn how to proactively stay out of hard conversations. This session will also allow attendees to have the right words to say in a hard conversation, practice hard conversations, and much more. Certificates of attendance will be provided for attendees to earn continuing education credits.
Jay McChord is a highly requested speaker, trainer, and consultant to companies and organizations globally. Recognized as an authority on the Multi-Generational Workplace, Jay’s high-energy events (live & virtual) have earned him the nickname of “Your Chief Encouragement Officer.” Jay brings a unique perspective to his session as a former Global Senior Sales trainer of a multi-billion dollar technology company, an elected official, published author, and military artist. Jay’s connection to each audience sparks energy, enthusiasm and passion.
Continental Breakfast provided to All-Access and Weekend Attendees | Saturday Morning
The USPC Meeting of the Corporation is when the business of the organization will be conducted, including the election of the new Board of Governors, updates on the status of the organization, and the presentation of awards, such as the Flash Teamwork Award, A certifications, and the Brookfield Land Conservation.
Presented by Via Nova Training
Ticket Required
You are invited to join us for an evening of fun and dancing Saturday night.
Enjoy dinner while celebrating the Founders Award recipients. Find out what our Keynote Speaker, David Silver, has to say, watch the Passing of the Whip ceremony, and then dance the night away with all your Pony Club friends and family.
David Silver is the founder and Executive Director of Detroit Horse Power, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that teaches Detroit’s youth valuable life lessons through riding and caring for horses. He moved to Detroit through Teach For America and taught 4th and 5th grade on the west side of Detroit from 2012-14. After two years of teaching, David decided to step outside the classroom to make the character skill-building opportunities he had received through working with horses available to youth like his students. Now in its tenth year of operations, Detroit Horse Power has brought hundreds of students from the city to partnering horse barns outside Detroit for summer camps that emphasize the life lessons horses can teach us: Perseverance, Empathy, Responsible risk-taking, Confidence, and Self-control (PERCS).
Ticket Required | Saturday Evening
As an alternative to the Saturday Night Banquet, children under 12 can attend the Pony Paddock Pizza Party.
