United States Eventing Association

Fueled by Fundraising and Teamwork, Aggies Make 1,000 Mile Trek to USEA Championship Stage

Aiken, S.C.—May 3—For the Texas A&M Eventing Team, this year’s return to the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships wasn’t just about competition—it was about perseverance and the power of community. After three years away from the national stage, the Aggies were dedicated to making a comeback, arriving in Aiken with a 12-person squad and eight competing riders (Hailey Alfaro, Bella Koon, Payton McBee, Brenna McDonald, Scarlett Pienado, Sarah Talcott, Brianna Ulmer, and Brett Youssi).

“It feels surreal to be here,” said team president Sarah Smith, a graduate student in Biological and Agricultural Engineering and a longtime member of the club. “This has been in the works for a long time. We’ve had friends and past members talk about how amazing these championships are, and we wanted to get back.”

Founded in 2016, the Texas A&M Eventing Team has grown steadily over the years but faced challenges returning to championships due to timing conflicts with final exams and financial hurdles. With championships once again falling during finals week, the road to Aiken was anything but easy. Team members individually petitioned professors to take exams early, while simultaneously managing a rigorous training and fundraising schedule.

With the goal of covering all the expenses for their riders to make the trek to Aiken, the team turned to creative solutions and hard work, generating over $3,000 through merchandise sales at Area V shows and selling handmade horse treats. But their biggest boost came from a groundswell of sponsorship support—10 new sponsors this year alone—including a key partnership with Pyranha, a recurring donor providing both financial contributions and product support. Pyranha even visited the team for a pre-championship seminar on equine nutrition, deepening their investment in the Aggies’ success.

“We actually raised most of the money in the last three months,” Smith said. “We had to fundraise 100% of our expenses—and we did it.”

They also leaned on their growing network. They had an individual who connected the team with supporters, eventually securing five major monetary donors. “Not only did we raise enough for this year, but we also have a head start on next year,” Smith noted proudly.

Logistics were another hurdle. Horses and riders traveled over 1,000 miles to reach South Carolina—some trailered from Texas, while another horse made the trip from Pennsylvania, where they had been in training with eventers Dom and Jimmie Schramm. While not official coaches for the team, the Schramms have been a helpful presence for the team, including coaching riders during championships. Other trainers who have assisted the team in their preperation include Amanda Merritt, Erin Kanara, Janet Marden, and Natalie Olokede.

Smith, who returned to A&M for grad school after graduating in 2020 and rejoined the team she once rode with as an undergrad, called this year’s Championship experience “a full circle moment.”

“I’ve made lifelong friends through this team,” she said. “It’s not just about riding—it’s about the people. We’ve grown so close; we’re like siblings at this point.”

That sense of unity is a powerful force, especially in a sport known for its individualism. “Eventing is usually so solo,” Smith added. “Being here, surrounded by teammates, sharing stalls, cheering each other on—it means everything.”

Despite the pressure and the packed schedule, the Aggies still found time to showcase their team spirit. Their custom overalls drew attention across the venue, as did the pony mascot they brought along that became a show celebrity after the parade of teams on Friday. And while some riders competed, other members served as grooms and supporters, emphasizing the team's all-in, all-together mentality.

“We did not come to Championships this year anticipating winning, but we are focused on doing our best and having fun,” Smith said. “This year was about proving to ourselves that we could get here. And we did.”

For a team that traveled 1,000 miles fueled by grit, gratitude, and Aggie pride, that’s a victory worth celebrating.

Helpful Links:

• Intercollegiate Championship Coverage
• IEL Championship Coverage
• Stable View Website
• Digital Championships Program
• Live Scores
• Livestream
• Ride Times
• Meet the 2025 Intercollegiate Eventing Championship Teams
• Meet the 2025 IEL Championship Teams
• View the cross-country courses on the CrossCountry App

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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. Many events across the country offer Intercollegiate Team Challenges where collegiate eventers can compete individually or in 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. The USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship is a capstone event for the program, which is held annually in the spring. The 2025 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship will be held at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, on May 2-4. Click here to learn more about the Intercollegiate Eventing Program.

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