Wellington, FL – Varsity Equestrian is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Collegiate Equitation Challenge to be held at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. The finals of the event will take place on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 7:00 PM in the International Arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

The tournament will be run in the Varsity Equestrian head-to-head, bracketed format with 16 top collegiate riders from all over the country. Riders will compete over an equitation course with heights up to 3’6.” Competition will start at 2:00 PM with all 16 riders in the Preliminary Round.

The eight Preliminary winners will qualify for the Finals in the evening, and the remaining eight will compete in a consolation bracket immediately following the Preliminary Round. The horses will be on loan from local professionals and unfamiliar to the riders. The winner of the Consolation Bracket will receive a trophy donated by Pierre and Martha Jolicoeur and the Champion will be presented a trophy sponsored by the South Florida Hunter Jumper Association.

Special thanks to Jill Townsend, Marion Maybank, Bobby Murphy, Patrick Duncan, David Burton, Michael Stone, Martha Jolicoeur, South Florida Hunter Jumper Association and Katherine Bellissimo. More information can be found at varsityequestrian.com and wellingtonwef.com.

Participating Schools & Riders:

Auburn University – Maggie McAlary
Baylor University – Kendra Vicary
California State University @ Fresno – Kimberly Budnik
Delaware State University – Kayla Blair
Kansas State University – Catherine Avolese
New Mexico State University – Laura Bostwick
Oklahoma State University – Samantha Elser
Sacred Heart University – Abbie Britton
South Dakota State University – Megan Violand
Southern Methodist University – Jordyn Pettersen
Texas A&M University – Brooke Coleman
Texas Christian University – Victoria Lee
University of Georgia – Kacy Jenkins
University of Miami – Nellie Foosaner
University of South Carolina – Kim McCormack
University of Tennessee @ Martin – Caroline Cramer
Florida State University (Alternate Entry) – Samantha Moore

ENDS