SCAD to Host National Intercollegiate Equitation Championship

April 21, 2017

Site Staff,

The Savannah College of Art and Design will host the 40th American National Riding Commission (ANRC) Intercollegiate Equitation Championship, Wednesday, April 19 throughSunday, April 23, 2017 at the Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center in Hardeeville, South Carolina. Admission to select events is open to the public.

“The university is proud to welcome the best collegiate riders to the 2017 ANRC Championship at our incomparable Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center,” says SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace. “At SCAD, the aesthetics, commitment, discipline, and athleticism of riding are highly valued. Please visit the rest of SCAD to experience our fashion, film, interior design, photography, painting and other degree programs, including equestrian studies.”

The ANRC Intercollegiate Equitation Championship is a national championship where colleges and universities showcase their most talented riders in a competition judged and scored on equitation skills. Schools scheduled to join SCAD this year are Emory and Henry College, Averett University, St. Andrews University, Georgia State University, Sweet Briar College, Lynchburg College, Goucher, University of Virginia and Centenary University. Judges for the riding phases of the 2017 competition are Kim Dorfman (Aiken, SC) and William Sparks (New Orleans, LA).

The Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center, the site of this year’s Championship, is a 100-acre center especially designed to hold major equestrian events and includes paddocks, pastures and arenas for competitions, as well as two barns for the university's and student riders’ horses.It has been deemed “a masterpiece in its own right” by Garden & Gun magazine.

The three riding phases of the ANRC competition are program ride, hunter seat equitation medal course, and derby course. Riders ride the same horse throughout the competition, and jumps do not exceed three feet in height. Equitation skills will also be assessed with a written test based on riding theory and equine science. Awards will be presented to both school and individual champions.

This is the second time SCAD has hosted this storied competition, the first being in 2011. SCAD has taken home the championship title 11 times in the past 15 years, including the Novice division team championship in 2016.

Please note that the following competition schedule is subject to change:

Thursday, April 20, 5 p.m.: Written test for competitors
Friday, April 21, 8 a.m.: Program ride demonstration (open to public)
Friday, April 21, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Novice level program ride competition (open to public)
Friday, April 21, 3:30-5:30 p.m.: Novice level derby phase (open to public)
Saturday, April 22, 8 a.m.: Program ride demonstration (open to public)
Saturday, April 22, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: National level program ride competition (open to public)
Saturday, April 22, 3:30-5:30 p.m.: National level derby phase (open to public)
Sunday, April 23, 9:00-10:15 a.m.: Novice medal phase (open to public)
Sunday, April 23, 10:30 a.m.: Novice award ceremony (open to public)
Sunday, April 23, 12:30-2:00 p.m.: National medal phase (open to public)
Sunday, April 23, 2:30 p.m.: National award ceremony (open to public)

There will be bleachers available for spectators to watch the competition on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Food and drink will be available for purchase.

SCAD: The University for Creative Careers

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited university offering more than 100 academic degree programs in 42 majors across its locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Hong Kong; Lacoste, France; and online via SCAD eLearning. SCAD enrolls over 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 100 countries. The innovative SCAD curriculum is enhanced by advanced professional-level technology, equipment and learning resources, as well as opportunities for internships, professional certifications and collaborative projects with corporate partners.

In 2015, the prestigious Red Dot Design Rankings placed SCAD in the top four universities in the Americas and Europe. Career preparation is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni placement rate. In a study of Spring 2015 SCAD graduates, 98 percent were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 10 months of graduation. For more information, visit the official SCAD blog.

About SCAD equestrian studies

The undergraduate program of study covers equine law and principles, rules and regulations of various equestrian governing bodies, and effective communication with a wide range of equestrian professionals. The comprehensive curriculum is supplemented by lectures from visiting professionals, including trainers, Olympic-caliber riders, judges, veterinarians and horse-show managers.

Through the equestrian studies program, students gain an understanding of equine psychology, body language and social behavior that they apply to the care, training and riding of horses. Knowledge of equine anatomy, conformation, conditioning, health and nutrition provides the basis from which students develop competency in the safe handling, proper care, evaluation and selection of the sport horse. For complete curriculum requirements and course descriptions, visit scad.edu/equestrian-studies.