On September 13, 2018, the New Caledonian Post Office issued a postage stamp in honor of the 20th anniversary of UPRA Equine, the New Caledonia Unit for the Promotion and Selection of Equine and Mule Breeds.
The association, founded in 1998, brings together horse breeders and owners and is committed to developing equine reproduction in New Caledonia to meet the demands of members involved in various areas of activity (ranchers and breeders, equestrian sports, horseracing, recreational horse riding...) by introducing and implementing measures required to enable selective breeding.
UPRA has therefore been active in reorganising the registration of the country’s horses in New Caledonian and French breed registries and in building and formalising close ties with the Haras Nationaux (French National Stud) and with various Australian and New Zealand stud bodies.
With a view to providing New Caledonian breeders with access to superior genetic input from outside the country, UPRA Equine organises the import of national breed standards and frozen semen, and has also set up a stud farm at Nessadiou, in partnership with the Chamber of Agriculture.
The horse's head and the logo of the UPRA Equine are on the postage stamp of 75 XPF, created by artist Roberto Lunardo. We also see the traditional landscape, ranch and grazing horses on the right side of the postage stamp
The stamps were issued in a miniature sheet (2 x 5) with field decoration. Also, the first day envelope and a special postmark in honor of this memorable event were prepared by New Caledonian Post.
In New Caledonia, the horse is king. There is one for every 20 inhabitants. From north to south, wild or domesticated, for competition or riding, horses are part of the archipelago's landscape.
