United States Eventing Association

University of Findlay Eventing Team Celebrates Seven Years

The University of Findlay’s (UF) Three-Day Eventing Team was established in 2013, the same year USEA voted and approved the USEA intercollegiate program. The UF team has over 30 members encompassing a variety of majors at the university. The team has access to two indoor arenas, a large outdoor arena, and 70 acres of on-site cross-country fences.

UF Eventing kicked off the 2019 Fall semester with the largest number of students trying out. The team started the competition season at Flying Cross Horse Trials (Area VIII), finishing second. The intercollegiate team traveled to River Glen Horse Trials finishing third in a very competitive field (Area III). We competed at three recognized events, including traveling to USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships in Georgia. Members of the team had the opportunity to compete at local schooling shows, organized two jumper nights and a three-phase event at the James L. Childs Equestrian Complex. UF will be represented at the USEA American Eventing Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park this fall. The University of Findlay has a friendly, spirited, and competitive eventing team that emphasizes the bond between horse and rider through training, good horsemanship, and teamwork.

The team makes every attempt to feel like a connected team, and a family. There is a team meeting and picnic at the beginning and end of each semester to touch base with all members and to congratulate those who have competed or accomplished their riding goals. Team workouts are required three times per week at the university’s gym, ranging from using gym equipment to playing volleyball. Our horses are athletes and so are the riders. The team also hosts multiple fundraisers per semester. Fundraisers may include the team working a day at Cedar Point (a local amusement park), working an evening for a Spirit Night at various chain restaurants, and sponsoring shows. All of the fundraisers create an opportunity for team bonding. Money raised from fundraisers pays for trailering, costs of the hotel at shows, food at team meetings, and an item of team apparel each year.

The UF Eventing Team is unique in that members are able to (but not required to) major in English Equestrian Studies, compete on university-owned horses, and pay a minimal amount for each horse show. Findlay’s Equine Studies Equestrian program awards students with a Bachelor of Science degree. The program requires students to ride five days per week. Required classes are dedicated to horsemanship as well as riding and require students to work at the farm. Students may bring their own horse, though it is not required. University-owned horses are often used in the eventing program. Finally, students who are competing are required to pay their entry fees, stabling, and food. Our coach, Sue King has competed for 45 years and had little time to volunteer as she owned a farm, trained, competed, and raised three boys! She now gives back to the USEA by volunteering her time as the coach.

The team goals are to continue to grow competitively and have fun! The University of Findlay will be at Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event in the trade fair. Come by, say hi, and see what more we have to offer! Also, look for the Findlay Oilers represented at multiple horse shows in Area VIII and Area III. Go OILERS!

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 and many events across the country now offer Intercollegiate Team Challenges throughout the year, where collegiate eventers can compete individually as well as 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. Only the best three individual scores will count towards the team score, so teams of four will have one “drop” score. Click here to learn more about the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program.

The USEA wants to feature your collegiate eventing team in our Intercollegiate Eventing Spotlight series! Please send your story and photos to Claire Kelley at [email protected] to be featured.