Equestrian

INTRO

Source: https://www.fei.org/stories/equestrian-college-scholarships-guide-1

Source: https://collegiateequestrian.com/

Equestrian is considered an emerging sport in college scene. Hot-shot, English or Western schooled riders are recruited to programs around the country. Equestrian styles in college equestrian include hunter seat (including flat and fences), western, eventing, and dressage.

Rider technique and horsemanship are considered in awarding the scholarship. Riders should demonstrate high skill level and versatility. When presenting Your videos to college coach, consider Your attire as a part of the style presentation

Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) organizes and regulates all collegiate competitions and now encompasses 40 Regions in 8 Zones with over 400 member colleges in 45 states and Canada and represents 10,000 members in hunter seat equitation, Western horsemanship, and reining.

COMPETITION FORMATS

The National Collegiate Equestrian Association tests five riders from each team in head-to-head competitions. Five horses are selected for each event. Each rider is paired with one of the five horses in a random draw before the competition. She is able to watch the horse warm up and receives four minutes to practice on her assigned mount before competing. Riders from opposing teams compete on the same horse in the head-to-head competition. Each rider receives a score, and the rider with the highest score receives one point for her team. In NCEA competition, the level of difficulty is demonstrated by the accuracy of the pattern and how the competitor uses the horse that she draws to the best of her ability.

Jumping Seat Fences - The judges evaluate the rider’s position, consistency on course, smoothness, flow from jump to jump, the number of strides (steps taken by the horse) in a line and the rider’s plan to complete the course. Scoring for the event is out of a perfect score of 100.

Jumping Seat Flat - The riders have to perform a flat test on their horses in a 40 x 20 meter arena. The test consists of nine movements to be judged on accuracy, smoothness and overall position of the rider. Each movement receives a score from 1-10. The 10th score judges the position and seat of the rider and the correctness and effectiveness of her aids. The score is out of a perfect score of 100.

Western Horsemanship - This event is designed to evaluate the rider’s ability to execute a prescribed set of maneuvers with precision and smoothness while maintaining a balanced, functional and fundamentally correct body position. The ideal horsemanship pattern consists of seven to nine maneuvers and is extremely precise with the rider and horse working in complete unison, executing each maneuver with subtle aids and cues. Exhibitors are scored for each sequence of maneuvers with a -3 to +3 score for each maneuver with a base score beginning at 70.

Western Reining - This event based on set patterns and a precise scoring system. Within these patterns the horses’ and riders’ athletic abilities are tested in a series of maneuvers including spins, stops, flying lead changes and circles with changes in size and speed. In collegiate competition, the rider must perform one of the set National Reining Horse Association (NHRA) patterns. There are a total of eight parts to a reining test with each individual maneuver judged from -1.5 to +1.5 with a base score beginning at 70.
Championship Format

NCEA National Championship Dual Discipline Championship: The top eight dual discipline teams will be competing in the NCEA National Championship Dual Discipline Championship. Each team will compete head to head with four riders in each of the Events: Fences and Flat for the Jumping Seat events and Horsemanship and Reining for the Western events. The team that receives the most points (16 possible points available for each matchup) will advance to the next round. The dual discipline competition begins on Thursday with the quarterfinals. The semifinals are on Friday the conclusion of the dual discipline events run on championship Saturday.

NCEA National Championship Single Discipline Championship: The top four single discipline teams will be competing in the NCEA National Championship Single Discipline Championship. Each team will compete head to head with 4 riders in each of the Jumping Seat events: Fences and Flat. The team that receives the most points (8 possible points available for each matchup) will advance to the next round. The single discipline competition begins on Friday with the semifinals. The conclusion of the single discipline events run on championship Saturday.

NCEA Event National Championship: The top six teams in each of the four events will be competing for the NCEA Fences Championship, NCEA Flat Championship, NCEA Horsemanship Championship and NCEA Reining Championship. Both single and dual discipline teams are eligible to qualify for the event championships. Each team will compete head to head with four riders. The team that receives the most points (4 possible points available for each matchup) will advance to the next round. The event competition begins Thursday with the bye round. The semifinals are on Friday and the conclusion of event play runs on championship Saturday.