Six alumni competed at the IHSA Zone 1, Region 4 show co-hosted by three schools on October 6th and four of them happened to be standing close enough that this photo became possible. From left to right are Mount Ida College graduate Allison Schaitman, Lebanon Valley College graduate Sarah Bechtel, Tufts University graduate and current head coach Katie Schaaf and University of Connecticut graduate Brittany McLaughlin. Save for Schaaf each of these riders took part in the 2013 Alumni Tournament of Champions event which save for Nationals is the only alumni competition which brings former IHSA riders together from throughout the country to compete for nice prizes.

PLANNING AHEAD FOR THE 2014 ALUMNI TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

The IHSA has offered Alumni Classes as far back as 1970, and during the 2013-14 season no less than 24 regions offer Alumni Hunter Seat and 14 regions offer Alumni Western. The alumni divisions help set the IHSA apart from other sports organizations, as no place else are athletes permitted to return after graduating and take part in events that have meaning from one contest to the next. If you show alumni at the first show of the year in your region there is a good chance you will be back in the saddle at another IHSA event within a short time.

Anyone who showed at least once as an undergraduate is eligible to compete in the alumni divisions within IHSA shows. And anyone who shows hunter seat alumni at least once during the 2013-14 season is eligible to enter the third annual Alumni Tournament of Champions event at the Centenary College Equestrian Center in Long Valley, New Jersey on Sunday, May 18th. This will be the second season in a row that Centenary has hosted this event.

And for the first time the Alumni Tournament of Champions series will hold a Western Alumni Tournament of Champions event later in the year. The Western Alumni Tournament of Champions will take place at Red Wing Farm in Hilltown, Pennsylvania (a Philadelphia suburb) on Saturday, July 19th. While the hunter seat tournament will require riders to have shown alumni at least once during the IHSA regular season the Western Competition will have fewer restrictions for the inaugural show.

Alumni Tournament events are held after the completion of Nationals both for the benefit of giving riders the chance to compete at a time of year when college is not usually in session and to take advantage of better weather. The number of riders who showed at the initial tournament in July of 2012 was 19. A year later (with no restrictions on which regions the riders came from) the total number of entries more than doubled.

Elsewhere in Zone 1 the alumni ranks are thriving in Western Massachusetts. From left to right are Laura Clampitt (formerly of Smith College), Natalie Rolince (formerly of Springfield College), Sara Sandstrom (a former University of California at San Diego rider who now works for Smith College), Deena Bak (who showed for Williams College) and Lizzy Jacobson (who is both a Smith graduate and currently an assistant coach; Jacobson is also the Zone 1, Region 3 alumni rep). Rolince competed in the "Alumni Cup" class at the 2013 tournament, a division with both a flat and a fences phase. This is the closest thing to a 'Cacchione'-type division at the alumni tournement.

In many ways inspired by the regular Tournament of Champions series created by IHSA National Secretary Jim Arrigon the Alumni Tournament was created by two former IHSA riders. Jamie Windle, who was Jamie Mast when riding at Delaware Valley College, and Lena Licata, who was Lena Andrews as an undergraduate at Lehigh University and still goes professionally by her maiden name, were (and still are) Alumni Representatives when Windle contacted Andrews with an idea a few seasons back. With the series seeing such growth through two seasons Campus Equestrian asked Andrews if we could interview her about the Alumni Tournament and the upcoming 2014 events. This writer thought she could explain the ins and outs of the Alumni Tournament better than he could. And thankfully Andrews agreed.

Campus Equestrian: How did the idea of an "Alumni Tournament" come up?

Lena Andrews: The idea came up when Jamie contacted me via Facebook to see if my alumni group would be interested in riding against hers for a fun competition. We debated back and forth and ultimately decided if we were going to organize a show like this that maybe we weren't the only Alumni interested in competing.

Campus Equestrian: What prompted you to create the Alumni Tournament?

Lena Andrews: Jamie mentioned that there used to be Alumni at the actual Tournament of Champions (series shows) but that it was any alumni, regardless of whether you are currently showing, (and it) grew too big and was eventually removed. We wanted to create something special for current alumni. A lot of people that show IHSA alumni are full time workers that don't have too much time and riding alumni is the only horse showing (some the only riding) they get to do all year. For a lot of people they've never been to Nationals and maybe never will. We wanted to create a "finals" like atmosphere dedicated to celebrating alumni. With our hunt seat show, you have to be actively showing alumni, and you can come ride your butt off to win one of our championships. Our intent is to make it fun and challenging.

Only one region within Zone 4 offers alumni in 2013-14 and that region is Zone 4, Region 1. Seen here at the November 2nd George Washington University show are, from left, Virginia Tech graduate Kristen Marley, Lafayette College graduate Emily Mallory, Christopher Newport University graduate CC Howlett and former Longwood College rider Kristen Van Derlaske. This photo serves as a reminder that someone can move from one part of the country to another and show alumni there even though they rode in another region as an undergraduate (three of the four showed as undergrads outside of Zone 4, Region 1). Both Marley and Van Derlaske showed at the 2013 alumni tournament.

Campus Equestrian: I know that Delaware Valley College graduate Jamie Windle has been an equal in putting on the first two Tournament events. How did Jamie get involved? Do the two of you have specific duties regarding preparation for these events?

Lena Andrews: Technically, I guess it was all Jamie's idea! There are no specific duties, and we try and bounce all the big ideas against each other. It's really helpful to have two people to make sure we get it right for the riders (Editor's Note: Next season we will hopefully interview Jamie Windle for her take on what will then be the upcoming 2015 Alumni Tournament of Champions events).

CE: You have been an Alumni Rep for roughly seven years now. When you were an undergraduate at Lehigh did you plan to show alumni when you graduated or did it simply evolve that way?

Andrews: I don't even know! Erin Githens was rep and asked me to take over when Lafayette needed a coach. When I was in school, I loved our team, our coach and riding. I worked really hard to help establish the foundation of the Lehigh team, getting more funding, hiring the current coach, etc. After school, my career had to be my focus. The IHSA was a cheap and (an) easy way to ride, show and have fun. I had no idea I'd be an Alumni rep, or even be doing half the things I do in horses now! I've loved every step in the path of my riding.

CE: How did the format (novice level classes and intermediate level classes plus a separate 'Cup' class series) come about? Was a different format considered in the 'design' stages?

Andrews: The format came about because (in) most regions Alumni show along with the Novice classes. My region (Zone 3, Region 4) shows with Intermediate. When you look at the specs it says fences 2'3 to 2'9. Zone 3, Region 4 Alumni take a vote each year where our fences class should ride at our shows for the year. Naturally we wanted the tournament to allow space for as many rider abilities so it seemed to make sense to essentially offer both Novice and Intermediate fences. As far as the Alumni cup, who didn't want to be the Cacchione cup (rider) for their team in college? We all did, but many of us never got the chance! This gives you another chance. We hope each region encorporates the challenge all season long and sends their top two. I know in Z3R4 we have a trophy for it and award it at the Regional Banquet. It's a real honor and I think the Alumni have really embraced it.

Five riders have shown alumni in Zone 3, Region 1 so far this season. From left to right are Drew University graduate Katie Baer, Washington College grad Kristie Swift (who was Kristie Heitmann when she competed for the Shoremen), Lebanon Valley grad Kristi Jacobsen, Penn State graduate Elise Settanni and Penn State graduate Haleigh Boswell. Jacobsen did not compete when this photo was taken on November 17th so she could instead school horses at the final horse show of any kind at Briarwood Farm that day. Jacobsen has competed at each of the first two Alumni Tournament events. Will she make it three straight?

CE: The initial Alumni Tournament in July of 2012 was limited to riders from specific Zones. A year later riders from California and the Midwest competed. Is it safe to say the geographic limits/rider limits are no longer an issue?

Andrews: All geographic limits are gone! They were only there during the first year because we didn't want to be overwhelmed and wanted to take a year to learn how to best run this tournament. I really can't wait for 2014. We have the best sponsors and prizes yet. In hunt seat, our top three ribbon winners are going home with gifts that can include gift certificates, brand new helmets, grippy amazing show pads, back on track, and more.

CE: What can others do (if anything) to help put on the Alumni Tournament of Champions?

Andrews: We really need class sponsors. We've had amazing support from companies donating prizes and other amazing items. However the cash from class sponsorship would help insure we break even and can keep holding this show year to year. If anyone would like to volunteer their time to assisting with bringing in class sponsors, we'd be forever grateful.

CE: In July of 2014 the first Western Alumni Tournament will take place. Was there a plan to hold English and Western Tournaments from the time the idea was born?

Andrews: No, I've never ridden Western and don't know enough about it yet, but I will (Editor's note: Jamie Windle did ride western alumni a few seasons back). However last year someone reached out to us on Facebook and asked if we would. We thought why not - sounds like a great idea.

CE: Will the format for the Western Alumni Tournament be the same as Hunter Seat?

Andrews: Very similar. We will have the Alumni cup which consists of horsemanship and reining phases. Then we have four individual classes of horsemanship and reining. I'm very excited to hold this horse show and most of all to learn more about Western IHSA. Since this show is in year one, we are inviting all Western Alumni, regardless of whether they are actively showing IHSA - inclduing graduating seniors. We want to get the word out there! We're very focused on our riders; I asked whether they prefered standard trophies or custom buckles and we'll be awarding custom buckles to our winners in each class!

Lead-line mania! The alumni of IHSA Zone 3, Region 4 hosted a show last March 10th at which nearly all the alumni (including a few who were not even entered) wore pigtails for much of the day! On the far right in the front row of the bleechers is Lehigh graduate Lena Andrews, who along with Delaware Valley graduate Jamie Windle (not pictured) manages the Alumni Tournament of Champions invitational events.

CE: Both you and Jamie show hunter seat Alumni during the regular season and both of you have reached IHSA Nationals once. However neither of you competed at the first two Alumni Tournament events. Is there a chance either of you will compete at an Alumni Tournament event?

Andrews: Honestly, I'm too busy during the day of competition. I'd love to compete, but unless I felt I could focus on riding, I wouldn't want to take a spot. Maybe if I won the Alumni Cup in Zone 3, Region 4 I'd consider it.

CE: Where do you see the alumni tournament three years from now?

Andrews: I would love to see the tournament continuing, classes selling out and crowning new champions every year. There is something extra special when you win a big class, or even ribbon in a class of 24 riders. I want to continue providing tough courses (and) the best judges and prizes for the people who come and ride their butt off.

CE: Why do you think Alumni should travel to come ride at this competition?

Andrews: I think this competition is unique and special and well worth a plane ticket to compete. We keep the price reasonable and negotiate hotel deals for our riders. We also include breakfast and lunch with your entry fee; how many horse shows do that? Aside from that we provide tough courses, some of the best horses in the country at one of the best facilities. If you ride your best you have a chance to go home with some amazing prizes! Not to mention the camaraderie of riding against other Alumni from across the entire U.S. I promise you a true finals atmosphere!

For more information on the Alumni Tournament of Champions visit Facebook and search for "Alumni Tournament of Champions," "2014 Hunt Seat Alumni Tournament of Champions" and "2014 Western Alumni Tournament of Champions."

--Steve Maxwell