National Collegiate Equestrian Association

Currently the NCEA has 24 official member colleges and universities that sponsor women's equestrian teams that participate in intercollegiate competition as a varsity sport.

[5] In that same year they also began to name All-American Honorable Mentions based on a set criteria where there is no limit as to how many can earn the award.

[7] In September 2019, the CWA supported a proposal to add equestrian to the Emerging Sports for Women program in Division III.

[8] The proposal was submitted to Division III delegates at the NCAA Convention in January 2020, but was defeated 174-195.

[9] Schools organize season schedules that allow for head-to-head competitions resulting in ranking and seeding for conference and national titles.

A rider from each team is randomly paired and assigned to a horse for each event to compete in a "head-to head" match.

The riders must demonstrate a precise, well executed and accurate test while staying in correct position and maintaining a harmonious balance with the horse they've drawn to compete upon.

Riders will perform nine required movement, all scored using the defined scale based on accuracy and smoothness.

Penalties are given if a horse kicks out, lopes on the wrong lead, or otherwise detracts from the uniformity of the performance.

It is possible for a rider to receive a score of zero if mistakes such as going off-pattern (adding or subtracting elements from the original pattern) are made.

"[19] Although the 10-year mark has been passed for equestrian, the sport remained on the list because of continued growth and support.

In January 2016, some 200 college administrators voted for equestrian to continue in Division II at the NCAA Convention.

[19] Dr. Leah Holland Fiorentino has been integral in the fight for equestrian as a collegiate sport,[20][21][22] as has Tom O'Mara.

[24] It was announced in April 2018 by UC Davis that women's equestrian would become a varsity sport,[25][26] and that it would be joining the NCEA.

One form in specific that should be downloaded by the prospective athlete is called the "Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete".