United States Eventing Association

Adult Riders Lay Claim to the “Fun Award” in the USEA Adult Team Championships

The USEA Adult Rider Championships (ATC) are included in the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by VTO Saddlery, for the first time this year. Adult Riders from more than half of the ten Areas came together at the Texas Rose Horse Park to compete in a fun and friendly team environment.

Adult Rider Committee Chair, Cindy DePorter, and her team the All Terrain Chicks went all out for their trip; they wear custom polos and have beautiful grooming bags monogrammed with the team rider’s initials and “ATC 2014” hang on their stalls. Deb Poloson, Adult Riders Committee Member for Area V, made sure every Adult Rider received a goodie bag.

“We are decked out!” DePorter said. “Adult Riders, you know, we love stuff.”

Carrie Poloson, who was the overnight leader after cross-country in the Training ATC division, competed in the AEC last year, but knew the ATC would be too fun to pass up.

“It’s not carefree because it is still a competition, but the group camaraderie makes it," Poloson said. "You get ready together, you see each other into the start box and the dressage ring. Cindy rode right after me all weekend. She came into the dressage ring as I was leaving and gave each other a high-five. It’s been a lot of fun and no mind games or stress.”

Some of the teams are “scramble” teams with riders from multiple Areas on the same team. The All Terrain Chicks are made up of riders from Area II, Area III, and Area V. While the ATC divisions are separate from the AEC, competitors in the AEC Senior Amateur divisions from Beginner Novice through Preliminary level are also members of ATC teams.

Without a doubt, the Adult Riders, whether they are competing for the ATC or AEC, are making the most of their experience here. They laugh and support one another continuously and enjoyed food and adult beverages at a popular social last night in front of the VTO Saddlery vendor booth.

DePorter and Poloson both jumped double-clear around show jumping this morning. Keep an eye on the live scores for more team results, and visit, the Adult Rider webpage for more information on the Adult Rider Program.

Watch the video below for a hilarious account of Carrie and Cindy's cross-country rides on Friday.

2014 USEA Adult Team Championships: Cindy DePorter and Carrie Poloson from USEA on Vimeo.