NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Aspiring Young Riders Convene in Texas for the College Preparatory Invitational Presented by Dover Saddlery
Texas Rose Horse Park Provides the Perfect Back Drop to a Full Weekend of Clinics, Educational Lectures, College Fair and Collegiate Style Horse Show
MIAMI, Florida – March 13, 2017 – The College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) concluded a terrific weekend of clinics and competition in Texas that featured 42 young riders representing 12 states. Now in it’s 7th year, the CPI is an event that attracts college bound riders from grades 8-12 who apply for the opportunity to participate in a weekend of mounted clinics, educational seminars, a collegiate-style horse show and a college fair.
The Texas Rose Horse Park was the ideal venue to host the second CPI event of the year. The Brunson family opened the beautiful facility and extended a warm welcome to all of the student riders and their families. Plans are already underway for the 2018 CPI Texas event.
Novice Division rider Jennifer Antonucci and Walk Trot / Walk Trot Canter Division rider Ruth Watts – both Ninth-graders from Flower Mound, Texas – won their two respective classes earning them 14 points and a tie for Overall High Point Rider. Judge Naomi Blumenthal posed a Q&A format tiebreaker to both the riders using questions from the USHJA Horsemanship Test and Ruth Watts emerged victorious.
“Each time we host a CPI event, we are reenergized by the wonderful young riders we meet, the dedicated families and trainers that support them and the many colleges who join us, offering them incredible opportunities for the future,” said CPI President Lindsay Martin. “CPI Texas was a great event and we are already receiving applications for 2018!”
Jessica Bodily Signs a Letter of Intent with Mississippi College – Dobbin Group Photo
In what provided a highlight to the weekend, CPI rider Jessica Bodily signed a letter of intent to attend Mississippi College, where she has been accepted and will receive a scholarship. She signed her letter joined by her parents, Shawn and Lee Ann Bodily, Dr. Brett Shufelt, Mississippi College Equestrian Program Assistant Director and Dr. Jim Turcotte, Vice President of Enrollment Services and Dean of Students and Lindsay Martin, CPI President.
CPI Scholarships are awarded as part of the weekend’s events in categories including: CPI Champion of Service, CPI Written Horsemanship Test, CPI High Point Hunt Seat Equitation Rider Champion and CPI Journalistic Photo Contest Award. CPI Student riders are encouraged to submit photos from the event to qualify for the Photo contest award. Instructions are available on the CPI Web site.
CPI Scholarships
Brooke Grindinger was awarded the CPI ‘Champion of Service’ Scholarship. Brooke logged in more than 85 hours of community service at organizations like Austin Street Center for homelessness and Magdalene House in Dallas, a recovery center for women.
Celeste Fazioli receives the CPI Essay Scholarship from CPI President, Lindsay Martin
The CPI Essay Scholarship winner was Celeste Fazioli, a 10th grader from Seabrook, Texas. Celeste’s winning essay is available to read on the CPI Web site.
Julia Gross Receives her Horsemanship Test Scholarship from CPI President Lindsay Martin
Advanced division rider Julia Gross from Tulsa, OK distinguished herself by scoring an impressive 91 on the CPI Horsemanship Test, which secured for her the CPI Horsemanship Test Scholarship award.
CPI Divisional High Point Riders
Advanced Division
Josie Elliot of Lexington, Virginia, pinned first over fences and second on the flat to earn High Point Rider of the Advanced Hunt Seat Equitation division.
Josie Elliot of Lexington, Virginia won Advanced Division High Point Rider
Open Division
A strong group of riders in the Open Division resulted in a three-way tie for Open High Point rider. The three riders: Hallie Eskey, Austin Texas; Emily Johnson from Chadler, Arizona and Kiley McCullough, of San Tan Valley, Arizona. It was a horse race as all three riders won a combination of first and second in their respective classes. Judge Naomi Blumenthal posed a Q&A format tiebreaker to each of the three riders, and Emily Johnson emerged victorious
Emily Johnson from Chadler, Arizona won Open Division High Point Rider
Intermediate Division
Taylor Chahal, a ninth-grader from Flower Mound, Texas, Champion. Taylor attended CPI Florida as well, where she rode in the Novice Division and was also divisional High Point rider.
Taylor Chatal, of Flower Mound, Texas won Intermediate High Point Rider
Novice High Point
Eighth-grader Jennifer Antonucci of Flower Mound, Texas, won both her flat and fences classes to secure the divisional Novice High Point honors.
Jennifer Antonucci of Flower Mound Texas won Novice High Point Rider
Walk Trot / Walk Trot Canter
Ruth Watts of Flower Mound, Texas was the overall Walk Trot High Point Rider, winning both of her classes. She tied for Overall High Point Rider with Jennifer Antonucci, and captured the title in a tiebreaker.
Ruth Watts of Flower Mound Texas was Walk Trot and Walk Trot Canter High Point Rider
CPI Sponsors
The 2017 CPI is presented by Dover Saddlery; with additional support from Equestrian Team Apparel, Electronic Vet, GGT Footing, The Plaid Horse, Purina, Horse & Style, Southern Equestrian, Equiline, Andrew Ryback Photography, Parlanti and the USHJA.
The CPI is grateful for the support of our college partners and sponsors including Randolph College, Georgetown College, Sweet Briar College, Mt. Holyoke College, Wesylan College, Averett University, Midway University, Mississippi College, Otterbein University, Liberty University, Emory & Henry College, Hollins University, Cazenovia College, St. Andrews University, Lake Erie College, Bridgewater College, Albion College and the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Zoe Schiefer won the Parlanti Boots – Dobbin Group Photo
Ninth-grader and Intermediate Hunt Seat Equitation division rider Zoe Schiefer of Dallas, Texas won the raffle for a lovely pair of tall boots, donated by Parlanti.
About the College Preparatory Invitational
The CPI is a three-day event designed to educate student riders about the different formats of college equestrian competitions and provide riders with resources to help them create their desired college equestrian experience. Riders in grades 9 through 12 have a chance to win scholarships in hunt seat equitation competition and participate in educational presentations throughout the event. In an effort to encourage academic excellence and embed social integrity as a lifelong commitment to the equestrian sport, the CPI Scholarship and Educational Fund also awards riders the opportunity to win scholarships for academics and community service. To learn more about the CPI, please visit www.collegeprepinvitational.com.
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*Photographs courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography, except where noted.
