Over $7,000 in scholarships & awarded thanks to
Charles Owen & Co., FootingFirst, LLC, and the CPI Junior Ambassadors —
Scholarship Award Recipients with Olympian, Peter Wylde
WELLINGTON, FL – March 31, 2014 – The nation’s premiere equestrian college recruiting event, the 2014 College Preparatory Invitational (CPI), concluded yesterday, Sunday, March 30, 2014, at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Palm Beach, Florida.
The 2014 College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) marked its fourth year with 150 student riders and nearly 30 participating colleges/universities from all over the nation. More than 30 states, including Hawaii, were represented by the diverse roster of participants who attended the three-day event designed to provide scholarships and educate student riders about the different formats of college equestrian competitions while providing riders with resources to help them create their own individualized college equestrian experience.
CPI High Point Equitation Champion & Scholarship Winner, Kristin Konopnicki
with Roy Burek, Managing Director, Charles Owen
At the conclusion of all competition and speaker presentations, the CPI recognized its top performing student riders in various categories and awarded 11 scholarships awards.
Each of the following student riders received a $500 scholarship award from Karen Leeming, Partner of FootingFirst, LLC:
• CPI Advanced Equitation Division High Point Rider:
Elizabeth Ekberg (Graduation Year: 2017), Washington, D.C.
• CPI Open Equitation Division High Point Rider:
Caroline Kornegay (Graduation Year: 2016), Raleigh, NC
• CPI Limit Equitation Division High Point Rider:
Nathalie Fargo (Graduation Year: 2015), Whitestone, NY
• CPI Intermediate Equitation Division High Point Rider:
Olivia Moriarty (Graduation Year: 2017), Long Beach, NY
• CPI Novice Equitation Division High Point Rider:
Kirsten Konopnicki (Graduation Year: 2015), Arlington, VA
Additionally, several special scholarships and awards partially subsidized by the CPI Junior Ambassadors were presented by Roy Burek, President of Charles Owen & Co.:
• CPI Written Horsemanship Test Award ($500 scholarship/$500 Der Dau boot gift certificate): Haleigh Townsend (Graduation Year: 2015), Chandler, AZ
• CPI Champion of Service Award ($1,000 scholarship):
Cassie Crotty (Graduation Year: 2015), Coral Gables, FL
• CPI Service Award Rnner-Up ($300 scholarship)
Caitlyn Scagliarini (Graduation Year 2015), Milford, CT
• CPI Essay Contest Award ($1,000 scholarship):
Isabel Pickett (Graduation Year: 2015), Hoover, AL
• CPI Essay Contest Runner-up Award ($300):
Cassie Crotty (Graduation Year: 2015), Holly Springs, NC
One (1) of two (2) student riders to receive double scholarship awards, Kirsten Konopnicki, of Arlington, VA, concluded the ceremony by picking up the Highest Point Hunt Seat Equitation Division Award, sponsored by FootingFirst, LLC for accumulating the highest score of the five (5) divisions, Kirsten received an additional $500 scholarship.
“It has been an honor to devote my entire family’s enthusiasm, dedication and relentless effort to our mutual ‘quest’ to provide support to young riders in their mission to continue riding at the collegiate level,” stated Jeanne Rouco Conesa, President, 2014 CPI. “As a highlight to this year’s widely successful event, we were extremely fortunate to capture the attention of Gold Medal Olympian and world-class show jumping rider, Peter Wylde. At our awards ceremony yesterday, in his keynote address, Peter shared insights into his roadmap in equestrian sports – from a young boy, to an ASPCA Maclay winner at 16 years of age, to a young horse professional, and finally to an Olympic Gold Medalist.”
“But what resonated most with the young student riders, was Peter’s advice to those — who envision a future life with horses in some capacity — to pursue a higher level education, and couple that education with a college/university that offers an equestrian program. With both prerequisites met, Peter’s message was: you can succeed,” summarized Ms. Rouco-Conesa.
“And, most importantly, thanks and accolades to our 2014 ‘marquis’ sponsors, that without their generous support, the CPI would not be possible,” continued Rouco Conesa. “The CPI has earned the prestigious support of so many nationally recognized brands and educational institutions in the form of sponsorship. Our thanks and appreciation are extended to Charles Owen & Co., FootingFirst, LLC, Purina, Dover Saddlery,Practical Horseman magazine, Randolph College, Mississippi College, The Clothes Horse , MGE Architects and USHJA Foundation.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
The 2015 College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) dates were announced at yesterday’s Awards Ceremony:
• Dates: January 9-11, 2015
• Location: Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, Palm Beach, FL. 7500 Forest Hill Boulevard, Palm Beach, Florida.
About the College Preparatory Invitational
The mission of the CPI is to prepare and educate student riders in grades 9 – 12 about the format of college equestrian competition, encourage academics and horsemanship, and to provide the riders with resources to create their desired college equestrian experience.
The show is specifically geared to promote college recruitment of equestrians by providing the opportunity for coaches and potential students to meet. The College Preparatory Invitational Horse Show is rooted in the belief that equestrian talent, not finances, should dictate a rider’s opportunity to be a part of a collegiate team. Given the fact that the CPI provides all the horses and necessary tack for the show, riders do not incur the expense of transporting horses to the show.
The College Preparatory Invitational Horse Show is based on the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) and the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) hunt seat equitation classification, where horses are assigned by a random draw on the day of competition.
Along with the competition, the CPI offers seminars and question & answer sessions during the show. Riders and their families hear about the college equestrian experience and familiarize themselves with the different associations that govern collegiate riding. There is also a College Expo where Colleges and Universities are present at the CPI to distribute literature and introduce the academic and equestrian opportunities, including scholarships offered at their institution.
The College Preparatory Invitational Horse Show Scholarship Fund is designed to reward riders that exhibit excellence in social conduct, academics, and competitive success. This in turn acknowledges and fosters the growth of college bound riders which will formulate the body of future leaders of the equestrian business and sport.
The CPI offers various types of scholarships to the student riders. Please visit the CPI website’s Scholarship Page for detailed information regarding the CPI Scholarships.
More news and announcements will follow in the coming months as the 2015 CPI draws closer. For more information, please visit www.collegeprepinvitational.com or visit the CPI Facebook page.
