The University of South Carolina-Columbia decided to grab the reins and add another eventing club in the southeast region. Riders at USC acknowledge the importance of riding programs for future and current students.
The creation of this new program was designed to help students to both continue learning in the classroom and in the ring. USC eventers are eager to continually grow into a community where students are able to foster relationships on the basis of their love for horses and the sport of eventing.
The University of South Carolina-Columbia’s Intercollegiate Eventing Club officially launched in May 2015. Columbia, South Carolina, is only a 55-mile drive to the eventing mecca of Aiken.
The proximity to Aiken gives the team the ability to compete in a plethora of shows year-round in addition to access to host clinics with excellent trainers. USC has access to many barns in the Columbia area, and we work to find the perfect fit for every rider no matter what their needs are.
The brand new USC Eventing Club currently has 12 members and is anxious to expand next semester. Among the current members there are riders ranging from the Tadpole level up through the Intermediate/CCI* level. Currently, Gamecock Mikaela Kantorowski is ranked on the USEA Collegiate Leaderboard at the Preliminary level.
The club encourages anyone who has interest to come out and participate. The team is close-knit, and there is always someone there to volunteer to ride your horse for you if you have a busy day or go out on a trot set with. The development of this club has been a challenge, but the USC Eventing Team is extremely excited to gain traction among students and to make a splash in the USEA’s Intercollegiate Eventing Program.
This fall, the club is planning on hosting multiple clinics for members and participating in intercollegiate challenges with the goal of qualifying for the National Intercollegiate Championship in the spring of 2017. As for this summer, the USC Eventing Club has team members competing in multiple areas in the country. Keep your eyes open for Carolina Gamecocks!
To learn more about the University of South Carolina-Columbia Eventing, please take a look at their Facebook page or website. If you are interested in joining the team, please contact Mikaela Kantorowski.
