Clemson Claims The Collegiate Lead at The Inaugural USEA Championship
By the end of the day at the Virginia Horse Center it is the Clemson University who topped the USEA Intercollegiate leaderboard going into the final day of competition. Held in conjunction with the Virginia Horse Trials, this inaugural competition features ten colleges and universities going head-to-head for the championship title, prizes from sponsors including the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), Ride Safe and Fleeceworks, as well as ribbons through fourth sixth place!
Sarah Pyne and Call Me Commander. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.
The four members of the Clemson Tiger’s team have a combined score of 75.56 going into the final day of competition. First to compete from this group was Junior Sarah Pyne and Call Me Commander, a 7-year-old Holsteiner gelding who is competing this weekend in the Junior Young Rider CCI* division. Pyne and “Calvin” had a respectable dressage test followed by a smashing double clear cross-country run today. Also in the Young Rider CCI*, Sophomore Alex Peterson is here with her own Willie Wiggins, an 11-year-old Thoroughbred. They produced a double clear cross-country ride for third place individually in that division.
Anna Fogerty for Clemson University. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.
Also on this leading team, Senior Samantha Hay piloted Tre’ Jolie through the dressage and show jumping phases adding only one rail to dressage score (29.3). Hay and the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse will leave the start box on a 33.3. Anna Fogerty rounds out this tiger team with the 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Dunlavin Fox. This capable pair currently sit on their dressage score (23.9) going into cross-country.
Devon Olivier riding for University of Georgia. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.
The University of Georgia Bulldogs follow behind Clemson in second place with a total score of 99.06. This red and black team consists of Seniors Devon Olivier, Kaitlyn Ruff and Emily Cox as well as Sophomore member Emily Cardin. Rounding out the top three and riding for Auburn University, Lydia Kennedy, Andrew Glazer, Sallie Johnson and Kaley Bush currently hold third place.
Kayley Bush riding for Auburn University. USEA/Kate Boggan Photo.
This event was all hustle and bustle as dressage, show jumping and cross-country ran simultaneously today, but the collegiate riders could not be missed. With embroidered saddle pads, show shirts and ear bonnets these student riders exuded school spirit. Each of these ten schools are also stabled together where the competition for the coveted spirit award is in full swing. Banners, flags, and draping decorations cover the team stabling in an effort to earn four paid entries to the Virginia Horse Trials.
The CCI* and Preliminary riders will take on the show jumping tomorrow while the Training, Novice and Beginner Novice riders head out on John Michael Durr’s cross-country course.
Find a list of all the teams, here.
Ride times are available on the Virginia Horse Trials website, www.vahorsetrials.com.
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About the USEA Intercollegiate Program
In 2014, the 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. Click here to see if your school is an University Affiliate.
Don’t forget if you have not yet renewed your membership with the USEA – Collegiate members get a $25 discount! Log onto your Online Services Account to renew, and a $25 refund will be issued after the USEA has received proof of enrollment.
To account for differences in level difficulty, each rider’s score is multiplied by a coefficient appropriate for their level, and then the individual scores are added together to determine the team score. Only the best three individual scores will count towards the team score, so teams of four will have one “drop” score.
The coefficient system that will be applied at the Championship is as follows:
Beginner Novice: 1.1
Novice: 1
Training: 0.9
Preliminary: 0.85
Intermediate: 0.75
CCI*: 0.75
The team with the lowest score at the end of three phases will be named the 2016 Intercollegiate Champion. Team ribbons and prizes will be awarded through fourth sixth place!
About the Virginia Horse Trials
The Virginia Horse Trials has been a premier Eventing destination for over 25 years. Situated on 600 acres, the Virginia Horse Center is a first-class venue. Brian and Penny Ross founded the Virginia Horse Trials in 1989, and organized the Event through its 25th Anniversary in 2014. Andy Bowles took over the organization of the Virginia Horse Trials in 2015 and looks forward to maintaining it as a destination for east coast eventers in the years to come.
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