UPHA Open Gate Learning Center at the Grand National

This year, The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show® is pleased to announce that it has partnered with the United Professional Horsemen’s Association (UPHA) to offer the Open Gate Learning Center at the 2020 Morgan Grand National. The Open Gate Learning Center is an on-site study and learning center for young equestrians who are competing at the show which will take place in Oklahoma City, October 10-17.

The purpose of the Learning Center is to provide academic support to young riders, currently enrolled in grades 5-12, who are away from their local schools. The center will be available to students from Oct. 10-17. Participants can stay abreast of their academic requirements by providing a structured learning environment. The center is supervised by a professional teacher who can provide academic support for students and the center will work with teachers from the student’s school to help guide activities while away from school and to monitor tests, if needed. Assignments can be posted, faxed, or e-mailed from the center to meet deadlines.

The fee for each student is $200. Please call Nikki Scovotti, AMHA Youth Programs Coordinator with a credit card at (859) 448-5109 to sign up your student. The center can accommodate a maximum of 25 students and will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Once your student has been properly enrolled by paying the reservation fee, you will receive an e-mail with the link to the Center’s application, updated procedures and required waiver form.

In order to protect everyone, some changes will be apparent within the learning center itself. There will be limited seating and no more than 8 students will be allowed in the center at any one time to follow proper CDC social distancing guidelines. The center will be disinfected regularly, and all are required to wear masks while in the center. There will be no shared supplies and students will need to bring any materials required to complete their assignments including laptops and calculators when applicable. Therefore, this year, students cannot just “walk in” and utilize the center. They MUST make an appointment PRIOR to their use of the center to ensure a maximum of 8 students at one time.