United States Eventing Association

The College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) is pleased to announce the official dates of its third annual horse show in 2013. The competition will be held January 18-20, 2013, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. In addition to setting the competition dates, the CPI organization has been busy planning many exciting new changes and improvements for this year's event.

News for the 2013 competition includes an increase in the available number of dressage entries, an increase in the amount of money that will be awarded for scholarships, new scholarships, remaining scholarship opportunities for 2012 competitors, as well as important new requirements for this year's competitors.

The most important application requirement to remember this year is that all hunt seat riders are required to submit a video either via a YouTube link or via a DVD. The video link can be submitted to Heidi Lengyel at [email protected] or via a DVD to: Heidi Lengyel 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Suite 22-400, Wellington, FL 33414. The video must display the rider's ability over fences and must be no longer than three minutes. Applications to participate at the 2013 CPI Horse Show will officially close November 1, 2012. Riders that apply after November 1, 2012 will not be considered. Riders that apply by November 1, 2012 will learn about their status, whether accepted to participate or placed on the wait list, by November 8, 2012. Entries for the "Charity Alumni Challenge Class" a will remain open until December 31, 2012.

At the 2013 CPI, there will be a "College Expo" available for riders. Representatives from colleges and universities with equestrian teams and programs will be on hand to talk with any and all potential student riders and their families.

CPI Increases Available Number of Dressage Seat Entries

As the competition continues to grow in both size and importance, the CPI is very excited to announce that there will be an increase in the available number of dressage entries for the 2013 event. Last year was the first time that the CPI added the dressage seat equitation division, and the great interest and success of the classes was impressive.

"We were thrilled with the outcome of adding dressage in 2012," said CPI Co-Founder and Partner Jeanne Rouco-Conesa. "It was a great success, and we want to increase dressage scholarship opportunities in 2013."

At the 2012 CPI, the dressage judge was six-time Olympian Robert Dover. Dover went above and beyond his judging duties and spent time talking to the dressage riders after their tests. Rouco-Conesa noted, "Robert impressed us with his presence, his eagerness to share his knowledge, and his dedication to the riders. We hope to have him back in 2013 as part of our increased commitment to college-bound dressage riders."

CPI Increases Amounts of Awards Money for 2013 Scholarships

The amount of money for many of the rider scholarships has been increased for the 2013 competition. The High Point Dressage Rider and High Point Hunter Seat Rider awards have each increased to $1,000. The Essay Award, Champion of Service Award and Written Horsemanship Test will all award $1,500, and the eight Photo Journalist Awards that were new to the competition last year will now award $100 to each winner.

The Entry Deadline for the Champion of Service Award is the same date as CPI Application Deadline: November 1, 2012.

The Entry Deadline for the Essay Contest is November 1, 2012. The essay topic will be posted on the website on September 1, 2012, allowing two months time for riders to submit their essay.

EQUUS Scholarship Still Available for 2012 Riders

The 2012 CPI riders still have an opportunity to acquire a $1,000 scholarship through the EQUUS Foundation. The College Preparatory Invitational and The EQUUS Foundation joined forces last year to establish the CPI Champion of Equine Service Scholarship. Details about the scholarship were included in the gift bags given to riders at the 2012 competition. This scholarship is available only to the participants of the 2012 show.

CPI applauds the achievements and passion of its participants. The scholarship will reward volunteer service for equine-related organizations on the Foundation's carrots4acause network. The award was established to stimulate volunteerism and advocacy on behalf of horses and people who can benefit from the horse's unique ability to empower, teach and heal.

Information can also be found at www.collegeprepinvitational.com/EQUUSScholarship.html.

Applicants are limited to those individuals who were accepted to participate at the CPI Horse Show on January 13-15, 2012 and will have at least one semester of post-secondary school education to complete as of May 1, 2013. Applicants must perform 24 or more hours of community service for an organization or organizations on The EQUUS Foundation carrots4acause network during the calendar year ending December 31, 2012 thereby achieving Champion status as defined by The EQUUS Foundation; such hours are to be logged in on The EQUUS Foundation website by December 31, 2012, and such hours to be verified by the organization(s) and The EQUUS Foundation. Applicants must also have a GPA of 3.00 or above.

The EQUUS Foundation will select and notify the scholarship recipient by May 1, 2013. The number of hours of community service over and above the 24-hour minimum requirement and the impact of the community service will be taken into consideration in the selection process.

About the College Preparatory Invitational

The mission of the CPI is to prepare and educate student riders in grades 8 - 12 about the format of college equestrian competition, encourage academics and horsemanship, and to provide the riders with resources to create their desired college equestrian experience. The show is specifically geared to promote college recruitment of equestrians by providing the opportunity for coaches and potential students to meet. The College Preparatory Invitational Horse Show is rooted in the belief that equestrian talent, not finances, should dictate a rider's opportunity to be a part of a collegiate team. Given the fact that the CPI provides all the horses and necessary tack for the show, riders do not incur the expense of transporting horses to the show. By competing on unknown horses at the CPI, riders have a chance to be seen in a formal competition by a variety of prospective equestrian college coaches on a level playing field.

The College Preparatory Invitational Horse Show is based on the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) and the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) hunt seat equitation classification. CPI Dressage Seat will be judged in a group as described in DR117 of the USEF Dressage Manual.

Along with the competition, the CPI will offer seminars and question & answer sessions during the show. Riders and their families will hear about the college equestrian experience and familiarize themselves with the different associations that govern collegiate riding. There will also be a number or College and Universities present at the CPI to distribute literature and introduce the academic and riding opportunities, including scholarships, offered at their institution.

Because the future leaders of the equestrian business and sport are the college bound riders, The College Preparatory Invitational Horse Show Scholarship Fund wants to reward those riders that exhibit social conduct and academic excellence as well as competitive success. The CPI offers various types of scholarships to the student riders. Please visit the website's Scholarship Page for detailed information regarding the CPI Scholarships.

More news and announcements will follow in the coming months as the CPI draws closer. For more information, please visit www.collegeprepinvitational.com or visit their Facebook page.