May 25, 2023

Fast Facts: 2023 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship

By Kaleigh Collett - USEA Staff | Press Release

The countdown to competition is on as 13 colleges and universities converge on the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, North Carolina, for the 2023 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship! This Friday, May 26, through Sunday, May 28, a total of 89 entries and 24 teams will go head-to-head to compete for the Intercollegiate Eventing Championship title and the coveted Spirit Award.

The Field

  • For the third year in a row, the University of Kentucky will field eight teams, two of which will be scramble teams with Baylor University and University of Louisville, at the Championship and secure their title as the school with the most teams entered this week.
  • Two students will be traveling from Waco, Texas, to represent Baylor University. A 15-hour drive stands between these dedicated students and the Championship, earning them the award for the longest trek to compete.
  • The USEA will recognize 18 seniors in attendance at the Championship this year for their collegiate achievements during the Opening Ceremony on Friday, May 26 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Two schools will be making their Intercollegiate Eventing Championship debut this year: Baylor University and University of Tennessee – Knoxville. All of the other schools in attendance have competed in at least one Championship previously.
NOTE: Number of teams for each college or university includes scramble teams.
  • Auburn University is the only school to win the Championship consecutively in 2018 and 2019, and they are also the only school that holds more than one title, as they now have three wins to their name after securing the 2022 Championship. They will be looking to defend their title this year.
  • All four schools that have previously won the Championship title are entered to compete this year: the University of Georgia, Clemson University, Auburn University and the University of Kentucky.
  • While the Championship title is the ultimate goal, the Spirit Award competition is just as highly regarded, if not more! With two-time winners Texas A&M (2017, 2019) not in attendance this year, defending champion Auburn University may be looking to make it a three-peat on Spirit Award wins this year. However, former title winners University of Georgia (2016) and University of Kentucky (2018) will be looking to take back their wins, as the two schools with the largest number of entrants at the event this year. Click here to learn more about this year’s Spirit Award criteria.

The Facts

  • The 2023 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship will offer Beginner Novice through Intermediate levels.
  • The phases of competition will be run similar to an international event with all levels completing their dressage on Friday, cross-country on the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games' White Oak Course on Saturday, and show jumping in the stadium on Sunday.
  • As usual, teams are encouraged to set up tents in College Town and decorate their stabling area with their school’s colors, banners, and gear to show their school pride.
  • There are no qualifications necessary to compete in the Championship, but there are two entry requirements. All entrants must be registered as Collegiate Members with the USEA and enrolled as an undergraduate student at their college or university. Also, all schools must have an up-to-date registration as an Affiliate of the USEA.
  • The USEA would like to thank this year's USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship sponsors: Bates Saddles, Kerrits, Horse & Country, U.S. Equestrian, WeRideTogether, and World Equestrian Brands.
  • Click here to “Meet the Teams” of the 2023 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship.
  • Click here to view the official 2023 Championship Event Program.

Event Schedule

Friday, May 26

8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. – Dressage, International Arena

5:00 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies in the International Arena: Parade of Teams, Senior Awards and qualifying heats of the Bouncy Pony Relay Race Championship

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. – Tryon International Spring Horse Trials Welcome Reception for all competitors in the Legends Club. Intercollegiate Members welcome to attend after the Opening Ceremonies.

Saturday, May 27

9:00 a.m. – 5:10 p.m. – Cross-Country, White Oak Course

6:30 p.m. – Intercollegiate Teams gather at the in-gate of Tryon Stadium for Intercollegiate Parade of Teams in front of “Saturday Night Lights” crowd.

7:00 p.m. – Course Walk of the $78,000 CSI2* Grand Prix with Doug Payne

7:30 p.m. – Intercollegiate Competitor Party on the Skydeck of the Legends Club at Tryon Stadium

Arena Drag Break – Top teams from qualifying heats compete in the Bouncy Pony Relay Race Championship

Sunday, May 28

8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. – Show Jumping, International Arena

4:00 p.m. – Championship Awards Ceremony

Helpful Links:

Don't forget to follow the USEA’s event coverage on social media!

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

About the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program

The USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program was established in 2014 to provide a framework within which eventing teams and individual competitors could flourish at universities and colleges across the country. The USEA offers a discount of $25 on annual USEA memberships for current students of universities and colleges registered as Affiliates with the USEA. Many events across the country now offer Intercollegiate Team Challenges where collegiate eventers can compete individually or on teams with their fellow students. In Intercollegiate Team Challenges, each rider’s score is multiplied by a coefficient appropriate for their level to account for differences in level difficulty, and then the individual scores are added together to determine the team score. Click here to learn more about the Intercollegiate Eventing Program.

The USEA would like to thank Bates Saddles, Kerrits, Horse & Country, U.S. Equestrian, WeRideTogether, and World Equestrian Brands for sponsoring the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program.

Jun 06, 2023 Eventing News

Hollberg Takes Top Honors in Open Intermediate and Preliminary Divisions at 2023 Essex Horse Trials

Hannah Sue Hollberg of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, was on a winning streak at the Essex Horse Trials on Sunday, claiming victory in both the $10,000 Open Intermediate and Open Preliminary divisions with two horses that are fairly new to her. Some difficulty on cross-country did not stop her mount Hachi from claiming victory in the Open Intermediate with a score of 101.6, while Open Preliminary partner Rockster finished on his dressage score of 27.3.

Jun 06, 2023 Profile

“And again, and again, and again”: Knowing When to Come Again and When to Switch Up an Exercise

The great football coach Vince Lombardi said, “We win our games in practice.” With the goal of having the most effective practices possible for horses, their riders, and their coaches, Cathy Wieschhoff explains some signs that can indicate when horse and rider should repeat an exercise, switch it up, or be done with that activity. Wieschhoff brings perspective as a five-star rider that has competed at the Kentucky Three-Day Event and Burghley Horse Trials, a USEF “R” Course Designer for eventing cross-country and show jumping, a former Area VIII chair and member of the USEA Board of Governors, and a Level V USEA ECP Certified Coach based out of Carriage Station Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

Jun 05, 2023 Eventing News

USEF Announces Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for FEI Eventing Nations Cup Poland CCIO4*-NC-S

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Poland CCIO4*-NC-S at the Strzegom Horse Trials (Poland) from June 21-25, 2023. The team will be under the direction of USEF Eventing Emerging and Development Coach Leslie Law.

Jun 05, 2023 Young Event Horse

Become a YEH Judge: USEA Launches YEH New Judge Education Program

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is excited to announce the launch of the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) New Judge Education Program. Qualifying candidates, who are no longer required to hold a USEF judge’s license, will be encouraged to sign up to participate in the YEH New Judge Education Program to receive certification to judge the Jumping and Galloping phases of Young Event Horse competitions.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Real Estate Partner of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Outerwear of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA