Our goals

The goals of the Standardbred Pleasure and Performance Horse Association are:

	To promote the Standardbred as a Pleasure and Performance horse for all equestrian disciplines.
	To promote the good nature and temperament of the breed.
	To provide a vehicle for owners of Standardbreds to meet and communicate.
	To raise the profile of the Standardbred in all Equestrian events.
	To facilitate the transfer of Standardbreds from the racing industry to the Pleasure and Performance industry.

The activities of the SPPHA in meeting these goals are wide and varied. They include for example:

1. Direct transfer of horses from the racing industry to pleasure and performance homes through our adoption program.

2. Sponsoring Standardbred classes in competitive events. This activity has three aspects: we try to persuade organisers to put on Standardbred classes, we donate trophies and we encourage Standardbred owners to compete. We also run annual high point awards for members.

3. Seeking positive publicity for Standardbreds in all media and at trade exhibitions as the opportunity offers.

4. Helping Standardbred owners keep in touch with each other and supportive organisations, running training days and helping owners get advice about the care and management of their horses.

5. Providing support for pleasure riding through trail rides, the rider/driver certificate program and membership of the Australian Horse Alliance, who work toward continued access to trails.

Our MISSION STATEMENT

The charter of the Standardbred Pleasure & Performance Horse Association is to promote the Standardbred as a successful and versatile horse that can excel in many disciplines outside their traditional role of harness racing. Through an adoption program we will endeavour to locate suitable pleasure and performance homes for Standardbred horses retired from or otherwise unsuitable for harness racing. We will encourage Standardbred owners to develop their horsemanship skills and the potential of their horses by guiding them to appropriate resources. We will recognise the achievements of Standardbreds in all equestrian disciplines outside of harness racing.