Four collegiate riders earn their place in the inaugural finals set for November 15 at the AQHA World Championship Show. In a blend of National Collegiate Equestrian Association- and Intercollegiate Horse Show Association-style competition, 16 student-athletes fought November 14 for their spots in the first AQHA Collegiate Horsemanship Challenge finals.
For the first round of competition at the 2012 AQHA World Championship Show, each rider drew an unfamiliar horse and was allowed four minutes of warm-up time. From there, the riders entered the ring one-by-one to exhibit their skills in pattern work. Following the 16th rider, all competitors filed back into the Performance Arena to compete in rail work. When the eight riders were announced for Round 2, a new set of eight mounts was drawn.
