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USA
Equestrian Announces Varsity Equestrian Championship
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As
equestrian sport continues to move toward full NCAA status, the
first Varsity Equestrian Championship will be held April 20, 2002,
at Full Partners Farm in Gainesville, Florida. All schools which
have declared varsity status with the NCAA have been invited,
and thirteen Division I and II schools will participate in equestrian
competition to name the first Varsity Champion. Student riders
from Auburn University, College of Charleston, Cornell University,
University of Findlay, Fresno State University, Kansas State University,
Oklahoma State University, Pace University, Stonehill College,
Texas A & M University, University of Georgia, University
of South Carolina, and West Texas A & M University will compete
in both Hunt Seat and Western competitions based on the format
developed by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, in this
precursor to what one day may become an NCAA Championship.
Boo
Major Duncan, Coach at USC explains, " This first championship
will be the beginning blueprint of what will become the NCAA Equestrian
Championship
in the future. It is not a final product but a place to start.
Each year we are able to hold this championship, before Equestrian
reaches varsity status in the NCAA, will give us the opportunity
to see what format works and what doesn't. We are most thankful
for the help USA Equestrian has given us in this endeavor and
hope to continue the relationship."
USA
Equestrian Inc., as the National Equestrian Federation of the
U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship
sports of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show
jumping, and vaulting, as well as 19 other breeds and disciplines
of equestrian competition. As
the country's largest multi-breed organization, the Federation
has over 80,000 members and recognizes more than 2,800 competitions
nationwide each year. It governs all aspects of competition, including
educating and licensing all judges, stewards, and technical delegates
who officiate at these shows.
VISION STATEMENT
The vision of USA Equestrian is to provide leadership for equestrian
sport in the United States of America, promoting the pursuit of
excellence from the grass roots to the Olympic Games, based on
a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its
horses, and embracing this vision, to be the best national equestrian
federation in the world.
www.equestrian.org
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