Virginia Horse Center to host first USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Team Championship

The Virginia Horse Trials in May at the Virginia Horse Center will host the inaugural USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Team Championship in 2016, the United States Eventing Association recently announced in a news release.

The championship will take place May 26-29 as part of the Virginia Horse Trials. Beginner Novice through Advanced/Intermediate levels will be offered as well as CCI1* and CIC2* divisions. All affiliated schools are encouraged to attend and compete for the title of Intercollegiate Champion.

“The Virginia Horse Trials have hosted challenges that include colleges and universities for a number of years. First under the leadership of Brian and Penny Ross, and now under Andy Bowles,” USEA CEO Rob Burk said. “As the birthplace of Intercollegiate Eventing Team Competition it only seemed fitting to award the inaugural USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Team Championship to this top-class facility and event.”

Each team in the Championship will consist of three or four members. Only three individual scores will count toward the collective team score, so teams of four will have one a “drop” score. Schools may send multiple teams, and each team may consist of riders competing at different levels. To account for differences in level difficulty, a coefficient system has been put in place.

The team with the lowest collective score wins. Top teams will be recognized and presented with prizes in a collegiate awards ceremony at the end of the competition.

“I am very honored to have been chosen as the inaugural USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Team Championship, as part of our ongoing commitment to team competitions we will be adding a dedicated member of staff during the Event, to assist in the smooth running from entries to results and the overall experience of the teams,” said Virginia Horse Trials Organizer Andy Bowles.

Although this Championship Event will determine which college or university team will be named the 2016 Intercollegiate Champions, collegiate individuals will still be recognized for year-end points accumulated throughout the season.