Photo courtesy of UGA Eventing
With 29 teams registered through the USEA, collegiate eventing has become a rapidly developing avenue for students to grow both academically and as riders. Being a member of a college eventing program provides a rewarding experience as members learn the values of self-discipline, teamwork and time management.
Each year an Area III horse trial hosts an intercollegiate team challenge where college eventing teams from all across the country are invited to spend a fun weekend competing against one another.
Intercollegiate team challenges are typically every members’ favorite part of each semester. Every ride, every lesson and every clinic comes down to putting it all together and representing one’s school while competing in their favorite sport.
Each college can send multiple teams made up of four members at the same or different levels. Once dressage is complete, scores receive a coefficient depending on the rider’s level. This takes into account the difficultly of scoring lower at higher levels. The three best scores from each team of four are added up.
At the end of the event, the team with the lowest score is declared the winner and takes home the blue ribbon. To recognize individual achievement, there are also awards giving to the lowest scoring individual collegiate riders.
The Fourth Annual Intercollegiate Challenge will be held at Poplar Place Farm Horse Trials on Nov. 7 and 8. The UGA Eventing Team is very grateful to Poplar Place for accommodating the team challenge this year on such short notice. (The challenge was originally set to be held at the Chattahoochee Hills October Horse Trials, which were canceled.)
Despite the change in plans, this challenge could perhaps be the largest team challenge to date. We all cannot wait to show the eventing world just what college eventers are capable of. We encourage all eventing fans and supporters to come cheer on their favorite teams.
