Averett’s Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) team competed at the National Championship at Centenary College’s Equine Center in Long Valley, N.J. April 23-24, placing second overall, which made them the 2016 National Reserve Champion.

“This has been an extremely dedicated group of riders,” said Ginger Henderson, coach and associate professor of the equestrian studies program. “It’s been very rewarding to watch that pay off for them, not only in their success in this competition, but in their growth as riders and young women. We are lucky in the equestrian department to have many gifted instructors, all of whom have made an impact on the ability and talent of these riders.”

Riders who competed in the championship were Micah Andrews, Hannah Walters, Jessica Stipic and Kristen Kelley. Walters and Kelley were both champions of the USDF Quiz Challenge as well – Walters won at the Upper Training Level and Kelley won at the Introductory Level.

In first level, senior Micah had a combined score of 67.9 percent, placing fourth. In upper training, Walters placed second with 68.5 percent. Next in lower training, Stipic placed tenth with 65.4 percent. Kelley finished strong with 70.4 percent in intro level riding and was the individual reserve high point rider of the day.

Stipic qualified as the regional lower training individual rider and placed sixth with 66.63 percent.

In the USDF/IDA Quiz Challenge, Amanda Arnold placed third and Andrews was fourth in the First Level. In Lower Training, Stipic placed fourth. Then in the Introductory level, Jessica Allanson was second and Megan Grimes was fifth.

More than 50 colleges and universities compete throughout the year in IDA competitions in their designated region. Averett competes against schools from Virginia and North Carolina, hosting at least two competitions each year and traveling to another five or six competitions hosted by their competitors. During the competition, riders are paired with an unknown horse with only a short warm up period to familiarize themselves with their mount. Riders are then judged on their ability to perform a series of prescribed movements and their position and control of the horse.