Collegiate Riders Come to Wellington for the FTI-WEF Collegiate Equitation Challenge

Sixteen Collegiate riders came to the Winter Equestrian Festival on February 26th, 2010 to compete in the first annual, FTI-WEF Collegiate Equitation Challenge. The competition was held in the varsity equestrian head-to-head format under the lights of the International Arena. The event featured four rounds of single elimination competition culminating in the naming of the Equitation Challenge Champion. Riders drew at random for mounts donated by various professionals contesting the season at WEF.

Every rider found a way to work Bobby Murphy’s course to their advantage, the riders who best demonstrated the idea of Hunter Equitation were rewarded by the judges by moving forward to the next bracket. The first round found Kacy Jenkins of the University of Georgia earning the high score of 84 on “Palermo”, a gelding loaned by Nona Garson. The score also earned Jenkins the First Round High Score Perpetual trophy, donated by Jill Townsend and Winter Heaven Farm. Proceeding with Kacy to the second round were Katie Mellon of Kansas State, Caroline Cramer of the University of Tennessee-Martin, Maggie Earle of Texas A&M, Nicole Bourgeois of the University of South Carolina, Erika Dagum from the University of Miami, Kayla Blair from Delaware State University and Maggie McAlary of Auburn University.

Round two horses were loaned by Megan Taylor, Juan Pablo, Alex Jayne and Erica Garcia. These horses gave their riders plenty to work with to demonstrate to the judges why each athlete should be the one to progress forward. At the end of the round, the riders that would move on to the Final Four were Bourgeois, Jenkins, Earle and McAlary.

As the night progressed, the third round high score was captured by Nicole Bourgeois of University of South Carolina with a 90. Aboard “Victor”, a gelding donated by Alex Jayne, this score proved to be the highest of the night. McAlary continued her strong performance, beating Maggie Earle from TAMU to earn the other spot in the Finals.

As the two final riders, Bourgeois and McAlary rode off on “Cupid”, a gelding donated by Sam White and trained by Jennifer Bieling. A score of 89 earned Maggie McAlary the victory for her university and the Championship trophy donated by the South Florida Hunter Jumper Association. "I was extremely excited to have the chance to represent Auburn University and winning the inaugural Collegiate Equitation Challenge is something very special. I am happy to win it not just for myself, but for Auburn." said winner Maggie McAlary.

“Cupid” was also selected by the judges as the favorite horse of the event.

\ With the very generous support of the Winter Equestrian Festival, ESP and multiple professionals and vendors, the event plans on returning to Florida next year. “We were overwhelmed by hospitality and feel so fortunate to have the chance to showcase collegiate riding at such an amazing venue.” said Varsity Equestrian Task Force Chairman for the WEF Collegiate Challenge, Suzanne Flaig. There are currently 23 schools sponsoring Equestrian at the varsity level between Divisions I and II and countless club programs across the country.

View final FTI-WEF bracket.