History was made at the 2010 Varsity Equestrian Championships in Waco, Texas this past weekend, For the first time ever, there was a ride-off for the Overall National Championship crown. A ride-off takes place when two teams’ western and English disciplines tie for the overall title. It was Texas A&M and the University of Georgia’s nail biting ride-off that kept us all at the edge of our seats Saturday evening.
At the end of regulation competition on Saturday afternoon, the stewards realized that Texas A&M’s English team placed 4th overall, while Georgia’s English team won 1st overall. As for the western side, Texas A&M took the trophy and Georgia took 4th. So when it came down for the overall National Championship, the two teams were in a dead heat.
The coaches for each team then put their best riders in, one for each event, to go head to head for the championship. For the University of Georgia, Lauren Love rode in horsemanship, Diandra St. Hilare rode in reining, Kacy Jenkins rode in the over fences and Michelle Morris rode in the equitation on the flat. For Texas A&M, Maggie Gratny rode in the reining, Caroline Gunn rode for the Aggies in the Horsemanship, Lindsay Smith rode in the over fences and Elizabeth Solch rode in the flat.
<<Click here to see candids from the 2010 Varsity Equestrian Championships in Waco.>>
But not even a head to head sudden death match could prove a winner. After the head to head ride off, the two teams tied for a second time; with UGA taking both English classes and Texas A&M winning both western events. But on Saturday evening, after a grueling, emotional day, the University of Georgia proved victorious with a raw score of 603.5, edging out Texas A&M’s score of 579. It was really a treat to watch these two great teams give it all they’ve got. It was also amazing to see just how far this sport has come since its inception.
[NPI]/Media/0/jpg/2009/6/1d24ac2d-1ec9-b7d0-76b6ae84214ae4a7.jpg[/NPI]
But this isn’t the only ride off in Waco this past weekend. Another came between teammates and friends, Carey Nowacek and Caroline Gunn. Carey is a freshman at Texas A&M and Caroline is a senior. Aside from the regular competition at Nationals, there is an individual bracket. The riders qualify for the top bracket by their amount of wins and MVP’s during the regular season. It is much like our World Championships, you must qualify to ride. Carey came in ranked #2 and Caroline came in ranked #1.
After their first ride, the two tied. Not only did they tie in overall score, but when the stewards went to the tie breaker judge to see if the individual judges scores were different in order to determine a winner, even his were the same. Caroline and Carey both gave flawless performances and the judges awarded them accordingly. In the ride-off the girls had a different mount and it was Caroline who came out on top. She beat Carey with a score of 150. It was a bittersweet win for Caroline though; this is her last year of collegiate competition. Caroline has won the individual championship for the past three years.
[NPI]/Media/0/jpg/2009/6/1d24ac2d-1ec9-b7d0-76b6ae84214ae4a7.jpg[/NPI]
After the results of the individual competition were announced, Caroline and Carey were all smiles and tears with teammates all around. The camaraderie between the riders on all of the teams that competed this weekend is just astounding. There were teams cheering on other teams and “rivals” lending a helping hand to the competition. It was wonderful to see the show run without a hitch, adjusting to the curve balls thrown by the intense competition. I cannot wait to see what will happen in the upcoming year. Congratulations to all competitors, it was the best Nationals yet!
[NPI]/Media/0/jpg/2009/6/1d24ac2d-1ec9-b7d0-76b6ae84214ae4a7.jpg[/NPI]
Overall results:
Champion: University of Georgia (fifth title – 2003, ’04, ’08, ’09, ‘10)
Reserve Champion: Texas A&M University
3rd place: University of South Carolina
Western National Champion:
1st place: Texas A&M University (fourth time – 2005, ’07, ’09, ‘10)
2nd place: Kansas State University
3rd Place: University of South Carolina
Hunter Seat National Champion:
1st Place: University of Georgia (fifth title – 2002, ’03, ’04, ’09, ‘10)
2nd place: Auburn University
3rd Place: University of South Carolina
MVP Hunt Seat Rider:
Kimberly McCormack: University of South Carolina (freshman)
MVP Western Rider:
Caroline Gunn: Texas A&M (senior)
Individual National Champions
Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat – Michelle Morris (sophomore, Georgia)
Hunter Seat Equitation Over Fences – Emma Lipman (sophomore, Georgia)
Western Horsemanship – Caroline Gunn (senior, Texas A&M) – also won in 2009
Western Reining – Maggie Gratny (senior, Texas A&M)
Click here to see candids from the 2010 Varsity Equestrian Championships in Waco.
