Delaware Valley College hosts IWEC competition

6.19.2007

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. ’Äî ¬ÝDelaware Valley College hosted the Intercollegiate World Equestrian Cup Competition, May 31 through June 1 with teams from six countries competing.
Each team was represented with three riders to compete in three phases of competition: Show jumping, where the students ride an unfamiliar horse through a series of three foot high fences in a timed event; a written test consisting of questions about equine management, health, anatomy and training; and the dressage test, where students must ride an unfamiliar horse through a pattern of movements while being judged on form, harmony and precision. The teams received scores for each phase of the competition.
Students from Olds College in Alberta, Canada, earned the first place title. Coming in second place were students from Delaware Valley College followed in third place by students from Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, England and fourth place, students from the University of Padua in Italy. Other competitors included German and Dutch students from Wageningen University, the Netherlands.
In its second year, the goal of the Intercollegiate World Equestrian Cup is to give college students in equine programs around the globe the opportunity to compete¬Ýin a show that allows their horsemanship skills to be tested on the flat, over fences, as well as their practical knowledge base.
’ÄúOur mission in developing this competition is to provide an opportunity for riders with similar interests to¬Ýcollaborate and network with students from various countries, while competing in¬Ýa safe, professional and friendly format,’Äù said Cory Herald Kieschnick, a teacher in Delaware Valley’Äôs Equine Studies Program.
’ÄúWe hope these relationships they build¬Ýduring¬Ýthis unique¬Ýexperience will help¬Ýstrengthen their future as professionals within the¬Ýequine industry.’Äù
After the competition, Angelo Telatin, instructor for the Delaware Valley equestrian team said the event met the goal.
’ÄúThis event was unique in that our facility allowed the opportunity for six countries to share theories and ideas concerning horse training, riding, and management,’Äù Telatin said.
He added that many of the traveling teams were impressed by the quality of the school’Äôs equestrian center, caliber of horses and campus.¬Ý ’ÄúMany friendships were formed, which will continue to grow in the future,’Äù he said.