United States Eventing Association

Iowa State University Eventers are Dedicated to Growing the Sport in the Midwest

Although the land-grant, public university has always had strong agriculture, animal science, and veterinary programs, Iowa State University is now home to its first organized eventing team. As one of the newest teams to affiliate with the USEA, the ISU Eventing Team was organized in the summer and fall of 2016 and is an officially recognized student organization on campus. The team already boasts 19 members on the roster, an advisor who is an eventer and equine veterinarian, and serious interest from prospective undergraduate and graduate students looking to continue eventing once they come to Ames, Iowa for their studies.

The team is made up of both longtime eventers and those who are new to the sport. The members and supporters are comprised of students, alumni and faculty with a vast array of studies: from animal science, to political science, mathematics and everywhere in between. ISU is also the only affiliated collegiate team in Area IV.

Team member Aalyshah Zaragoza and Sandry schooling at LR Eventing. Photo courtesy of ISU Eventing.

The ISU Eventing Team has already hosted events in conjunction with local eventing professionals including Meaghan Marinovich of Marinovich Eventing and Laura Rietveld of LR Eventing, with plans to work with other clinicians including Bonnie Mosser, John Staples, equine professionals from the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine, and more.

In the state of Iowa, Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trials is the only USEA recognized event, but Iowa is also surrounded by several states with recognized competitions. The Team offers opportunities for car- and trailer-pooling so members will be able to go to other events in the area, such as Heritage Park (KS), Roebke’s Run (MN), Windermere Run (MO), Otter Creek (WI) and Fox River Valley Pony Club (IL), among others. In addition to recognized competition, the team will travel to a variety of schooling events and local clinics.

ISU Eventing painting jumps at local farm. Photo courtesy of ISU Eventing.

The Iowa State Event Team has as its primary aim to encourage competitive riders in the discipline of eventing to continue competing while in college and after graduation. However, the organization will also offer social and educational opportunities (mounted and unmounted) to its members, and the local equestrian community. The Team has volunteered at local barns and plans to volunteer at events to help promote and support eventing and other equestrian disciplines.

For more information, visit the ISU Eventing Team Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/isueventing/. To make a charitable, tax-deductible donation to the team which will be used to host events which develop the horse, rider, and eventing community, and to reduce the financial burden of being competitive intercollegiate eventers, please contact [email protected].

About the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program

In 2014, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors approved the creation of the Intercollegiate Eventing Program as an official program of the USEA. Originally proposed with input from the Intercollegiate Eventing League, the program was established to provide a framework on which eventing teams and individual competition could flourish at universities and colleges across the country. Collegiate athletic programs have been the training grounds for Olympians, amateur athletes and professional athletes for generations. Enabling students to train in the Olympic sport of eventing is a natural addition. To learn more about Intercollegiate Eventing click here.