SCAD Equestrians Bound for National Championship
The SCAD Equestrian team has once again qualified to compete in one of the biggest intercollegiate equestrian championships in the country.
Every athletic team works hard for a chance to compete at their national championships, but the SCAD Equestrian team works to earn their place in two separate national championships. A small group of some of the best and brightest on the team are traveling to Centenary College in New Jersey to compete in one of the these championships, the American National Riding Commission Equitation Championship (ANRC), where they will defend their title.
The championship will take place from April 15 through 17, and the competition is split into National and Novice levels, both of which the SCAD team won last year.
The ANRC spans four phases: the medal phase, the written phase, the derby phase and a program ride. Each phase presents unique challenges, designed to test different skills and abilities of the riders. For example, The derby phase requires competitors to traverse over natural obstacles in a grassy field, demonstrating that they can perform both in and out of an arena. The program ride, on the other hand, takes place in a ring and is primarily a flat test, though it does include two jumps. This phase allows riders to demonstrate the finer points of their abilities and control over the horse. They must prove here that they can guide their horse through difficult movements, while maintaining an appearance of ease.
The returning ANRC riders will compete in the National division while the the first-timers ride in the Novice division. This year the SCAD Equestrian team will be represented by ANRC veterans Ryan Genn, Devon Walther, Lauren Stuller and Tatum Tatreau; and newcomers Kelsey Fey, Quinn Lowsky, Kate Morrison and Meredith Denny. These riders have trained and studied hard in hopes of once again bringing home the winning ribbons. Stay tuned to hear the results of the competition for our riders and their mounts!
