Cal Poly Dressage Team headed to Nationals
Successful show season wraps up after weekend at Stanford
The Cal Poly Dressage Team qualified for the Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Championships. After a very successful culmination to the collegiate equestrian competition season, Cal Poly became the Regional Champions after a two-day horse show at Stanford University this past weekend, qualifying for the National Championships which will be hosted by Centenary College in New Jersey April 28-29.
Going into the Regional Finals this weekend, the team standings were very close, with Cal Poly, Stanford, and UC Davis all within one point of each other. On Saturday, Cal Poly won in team rankings, and also took first place in 3 out of the 4 divisions of competition. Jenny Kerr at First Level, Lauren Eberle at Lower Training Level, and Bree Greer at Introductory Level each won their classes. Greer took High Point Rider with a score over 70%. Eberle won on a tiebreaker with teammate Katie Rhodes-Long, who competed as an individual for Cal Poly On Sunday, Kerr and Eberle took 3rd, Greer won Introductory level again (and remains undefeated in the league) and Rachael Knopf won Upper Training and High Point Rider with a score of 72.4%. Greer and Knopf also both qualified individually to compete at the National Championships. Kerr, Kauffman, Eberle and Greer will comprise the team on Day 1 of Nationals; Knopf and Greer will compete as individuals on Day 2.
Dressage is an equestrian sport in which a horse and rider pair perform a series of pre-determined movements which are scored individually on a scale of 1 to 10. Dressage has its roots in cavalry and military training- the goal is to make difficult maneuvers appear effortless and harmonious communication between horse and rider is strived for at all levels. In collegiate competition, which is regulated by the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (www.teamdressage.com), the host school provides horses for all the riders and horses are assigned by lottery. Each rider has 10 minutes to ride their assigned horse in order to warm up and become acquainted with its individual quirks and way of going. This system emphasizes the rider skill and levels the playing field so an effective rider can be competitive regardless of financial situation.
Cal Poly Dressage Team practices at the Equine Center on campus with their 4 team horses. No riding experience is necessary to join, and riders of all backgrounds and abilities are welcome. Student Coach Sara Robinow guides riders through routines during the week and in the warm-up ring at shows, assisted by alumnus Adrienne Klamt and faculty advisor Alaina Parsons.
For more information:
Co-President Rachael Knopf rknopf@calpoly.edu
Co-President Erin Gibson eagibson@calpoly.edu
Coach Sara Robinow srobinow@calpoly.edu
Coach Adrienne Klamt aklamt@gmail.com
Faculty Advisor Alaina Parsons aparso01@calpoly.edu
