Saved By the Bell: USEA Intercollegiate Championships Gets Going at Virginia Horse Trials

The 2017 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship is underway at the Virginia Horse Trials! More than 80 students from 17 colleges and universities traveled from all over the East Coast and from as far West as Texas to compete at the second annual Intercollegiate Championship.

The Intercollegiate Program became official at the USEA in 2014, but it has grown exponentially since then. There are more schools registered as a USEA University Affiliate than there are NCAA Equestrian Teams, and participation at the Championship doubled over the inaugural year in 2016, with 21 total teams vying for the Champion title this weekend.

“It is impossible not to be inspired by how quickly Intercollegiate Eventing is growing,” said USEA CEO Rob Burk. “Eventing is in good hands with these future leaders of the sport. When the USEA Board of Governors established the Intercollegiate Eventing Program we had high hopes for its success. I don’t think anyone thought it would be this successful so quickly!

“Congratulations to the Virginia Horse Trials for serving as excellent hosts, and congratulations to the horses and riders for working so hard to get here.”

School spirit abounds at VHT and I have to admit, the enthusiasm of the students, parents, coaches and friends is 100% infectious. We’re looking forward to an exciting week!

Virginia CCI/CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

We rocked the collegiate compeditors dinner in our overalls! #tamueventing #aggieeventing #intercollegiateeventing #virginiaorbust #seeyouatchampionships #almostgotime #redass #spiritaward

A post shared by Texas A&M Eventing Team (@tamueventing) on May 26, 2017 at 6:07pm PDT

The team is all settled in at the Intercollegiate Championships at the Virginia Horse Trials! GO PACK ❤🐺 • #intercollegiateeventing #eventingatncstate #vahorsetrials #usea

A post shared by Eventing at NC State (@eventingatncstate) on May 26, 2017 at 5:33pm PDT

Enjoying our time at @virginiahorsetrials ❤️ 🐘🐴@the_a_team2.0 started us off today in the preliminary rider division with a 34.6 in dressage & double clear stadium round! Way to kick butt! Tomorrow’s an action packed day starting at 9:36am with @kmh__eventing going down center line! We will keep you updated. ROLL TIDE ROLL 👍🏼🅰️ #Dreamteam #ridetideride #alabamaeventing #intercollegiatechampionships #usea #eventing #crimsontide #roadto1

A post shared by Alabama Eventing Team (@alabamaeventing) on May 26, 2017 at 5:37pm PDT

WAHOOWA! Our teams have arrived at Virginia Horse Trials!! Our CIC* competitor, Kate Knowles, has finished dressage on an impressive 55.6 for her first one star. Our CIC** rider, Alex Reed, finished dressage and showjumping to put her in ninth place in a competitive division at her first two star. Also pictured is Annie Page and her mount, who have finished dressage and showjumping in the Preliminary Rider division. Best of luck to our riders and mounts with the rest of your rides!! #gohoos #virginiaeventinganddressageteam #intercollegiateeventing

A post shared by Virginia Eventing & Dressage (@virginiaeventinganddressage) on May 26, 2017 at 6:35pm PDT

Go Eventing.