The countdown to competition is on as 13 colleges and universities converge on the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, North Carolina, for the 2023 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship! This Friday, May 26, through Sunday, May 28, a total of 89 entries and 24 teams will go head-to-head to compete for the Intercollegiate Eventing Championship title and the coveted Spirit Award.
The Field
For the third year in a row, the University of Kentucky will field eight teams, two of which will be scramble teams with Baylor University and University of Louisville, at the Championship and secure their title as the school with the most teams entered this week.
Two students will be traveling from Waco, Texas, to represent Baylor University. A 15-hour drive stands between these dedicated students and the Championship, earning them the award for the longest trek to compete.
The USEA will recognize 18 seniors in attendance at the Championship this year for their collegiate achievements during the Opening Ceremony on Friday, May 26 at 5:00 p.m.
Two schools will be making their Intercollegiate Eventing Championship debut this year: Baylor University and University of Tennessee – Knoxville. All of the other schools in attendance have competed in at least one Championship previously.
NOTE: Number of teams for each college or university includes scramble teams.
Auburn University is the only school to win the Championship consecutively in 2018 and 2019, and they are also the only school that holds more than one title, as they now have three wins to their name after securing the 2022 Championship. They will be looking to defend their title this year.
All four schools that have previously won the Championship title are entered to compete this year: the University of Georgia, Clemson University, Auburn University and the University of Kentucky.
While the Championship title is the ultimate goal, the Spirit Award competition is just as highly regarded, if not more! With two-time winners Texas A&M (2017, 2019) not in attendance this year, defending champion Auburn University may be looking to make it a three-peat on Spirit Award wins this year. However, former title winners University of Georgia (2016) and University of Kentucky (2018) will be looking to take back their wins, as the two schools with the largest number of entrants at the event this year. Click here to learn more about this year’s Spirit Award criteria.
The Facts
The 2023 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship will offer Beginner Novice through Intermediate levels.
The phases of competition will be run similar to an international event with all levels completing their dressage on Friday, cross-country on the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games' White Oak Course on Saturday, and show jumping in the stadium on Sunday.
As usual, teams are encouraged to set up tents in College Town and decorate their stabling area with their school’s colors, banners, and gear to show their school pride.
There are no qualifications necessary to compete in the Championship, but there are two entry requirements. All entrants must be registered as Collegiate Members with the USEA and enrolled as an undergraduate student at their college or university. Also, all schools must have an up-to-date registration as an Affiliate of the USEA.
Click here to “Meet the Teams” of the 2023 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship.
Click here to view the official 2023 Championship Event Program.
Event Schedule
Friday, May 26
8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. – Dressage, International Arena
5:00 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies in the International Arena: Parade of Teams, Senior Awards and qualifying heats of the Bouncy Pony Relay Race Championship
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. – Tryon International Spring Horse Trials Welcome Reception for all competitors in the Legends Club. Intercollegiate Members welcome to attend after the Opening Ceremonies.
Saturday, May 27
9:00 a.m. – 5:10 p.m. – Cross-Country, White Oak Course
6:30 p.m. – Intercollegiate Teams gather at the in-gate of Tryon Stadium for Intercollegiate Parade of Teams in front of “Saturday Night Lights” crowd.
7:00 p.m. – Course Walk of the $78,000 CSI2* Grand Prix with Doug Payne
7:30 p.m. – Intercollegiate Competitor Party on the Skydeck of the Legends Club at Tryon Stadium
Arena Drag Break – Top teams from qualifying heats compete in the Bouncy Pony Relay Race Championship
Sunday, May 28
8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. – Show Jumping, International Arena
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. Many events across the country now offer Intercollegiate Team Challenges where collegiate eventers can compete individually or 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. Click here to learn more about the Intercollegiate Eventing Program.
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