The second edition of the USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) Championship at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, will be underway in just three days! Along with the 154 Collegiate entries that will contest their national championship, 70 IEL entries representing 15 Clubs will form 18 teams to go head-to-head in this year's event on May 2-4.
In the inaugural year, a total of 42 competitors representing eight IEL Clubs made up 12 teams in the race for the first IEL Championship title. All but one of the eight founding Clubs will return for this year's event, and newcomers the Area III Young Riders IEL, Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club, Lauren New Equestrian, Lewis Eventing, Team L'Esprit Equestrian, Radway Eventing, Salt Marsh Pony Club, and Tryon Collective will join the founding Clubs.
The USEA launched the IEL in 2020 with a mission to bring together junior riders with a common interest to provide a supportive community through which these students in 5th through 12th grade can continue to pursue their riding interests. Now that the Intercollegiate and IEL Championships have been combined, the USEA is able to provide a pathway for those riders who seek to be part of an Intercollegiate Eventing Program after graduation or those who are working towards representing their Area or country in future team championships.
Keep reading the cards below to meet some of the IEL competitors that will participate in this week's USEA IEL Championship at Stable View.
The USEA would like to thank Bates Saddles, Horse & Country, Kerrits, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, U.S. Equestrian, WeRideTogether, World Equestrian Brands, and Young Rider Magazine for supporting the USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships.
Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo were pure class in the final, tense moments of the MARS Badminton Horse Trials, jumping faultlessly to regain the title they won two years ago by just 1 penalty.
Day 3 of competition at the Yanmar America Tryon International Spring Three-Day Event presented by Tow & Collect showcased Clayton Frederick’s course design at the picturesque White Oak Cross-country course at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International). The leaderboard of the CCI4*-L division saw a shakeup after two phases of competition.
here was a dramatic finish to cross-country day at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials when the top two riders, Oliver Townend, with Paul and Diana Ridgeon's mare Cooley Rosalent, and Ros Canter with Lordships Graffalo, were both awarded 15 penalties for going the wrong side of a fence flag.
The Yanmar America Tryon International Spring Three-Day Event presented by Tow & Collect kicked off Thursday with dressage in the International Stadium and Rings 6/7, continuing into Friday.