Wellington, FL – March 5, 2012 – The College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) hosted its second annual event this year at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, with great success thanks to the generosity of many in the equestrian industry. The CPI would like to congratulate the student athletes that participated in this year’s event and those who received scholarship awards.

CPI Congratulates Top 10 Scores of This Year’s Horsemanship Test
CPI would like to congratulate the top ten finishers in this year’s written Horsemanship Test. Madison Spect, of Winter Garden, FL , class of 2015 was the scholarship winner, followed by: Amy Blazej, Windham, VT, 2012; Anna Rzchowski, Madison, WI, 2014; Hannah Bentz, Boca Raton, FL, 2015; Henley Adkins, Moorpark, CA, 2013; Margaret Fain, Washington, DC, 2015; Alexandra Antonicelli, Jersey Shore, PA, 2013; Hannah Huntington, Beverly Hills, FL 2013; Taylor VanderZaden, Hillsboro, OR, 2013; and Emily Owen, Edgewater, MD, 2012.
CPI Journalistic Photo Contest Winners
Category 1: CPI Horse Athlete – “Waiting, Watching, Wondering”
Paige Vinson, Mystic, CT, Class of 2013
Category 2: CPI Sponsor Presence – “All It Takes Is a Handshake”
Paige Vinson, Mystic, CT, Class of 2013
Category 3: CPI Spectators – “Chilly Morning at CPI”
Olivia Stibolt, Severna Park, MD, Class of 2014
Category 4: CPI Event Seminar – “Learning”
Austin Harrelson, Vero Beach, FL, Class of 2013
Category 5: CPI Rider with prize – “The Outcome of Hard Work”
Paige Vinson, Mystic, CT, Class of 2013
Category 6: Friends Together at CPI – “Helping Friends”
Paige Vinson, Mystic, CT, Class of 2013
Category 7: CPI Rider in Action – “Morning Ride”
Paige Vinson, Mystic, CT, Class of 2013
Category 8: Miscellaneous CPI Picture – “Long Day, Long Wait”
Paige Vinson, Mystic, CT, Class of 2013
Thank you to Our Donors!
The CPI would like to thanks its scholarship fund donors for their contributions. The CPI Horse Show Scholarship Fund was created to award cash scholarships to student riders that display good citizenship, equestrian talent and academic excellence. The CPI scholarships encourage riders to educate themselves about the charitable organizations in their communities, lay emphasis on horsemanship and sportsmanship as key elements needed for equestrian success, and promote higher education as a foundation to future success in life. It is the generosity of special donors to the not-for-profit CPI Horse Show Scholarship Fund that makes it possible to reward the student riders.

The CPI would like to extend special thanks to this year’s scholarship fund donors: EQUUS Foundation, USHJA and Jodi Adiar. Also a special thanks to contributing individuals and organizations: Equestrian Sport Productions, Mississippi College, FootingFirst LLC, Charles Owen, Taylor Harris Insurance Services, Centenary College, Alfred University, EQUUS Foundation, USHJA, USEF, Dover Saddlery, Practical Horseman (AIM Equine Network), Royal Riders, Pierre Jolicouer, CWD Saddles, Chanel, Dr. Janice Maribona, Equestrian Coach.com/Bernie Traurig, MGE Architects, Wall Street Farm, Armando & Marlen Rouco, Essex Classics, Monica Vazquez, Pury Santiago, Jennifer Wood, Rolando Conesa AIA, Scott Hofstetter, Robert Dover, Adele Einhorn & Megan Martin, Dr. Marla Brady & Hans Hanson, Kimberly Jaussi, PH.D., Gillian Hotz, Ph.D., Marcel Van Der Burgh & Lisa Jerkins, Joanna Jodko, Kylar Productions – Video, and Coca-Cola.
CPI and The EQUUS Foundation Join Forces to Establish CPI Champion of Equine Service Scholarship
The College Preparatory Invitational and The EQUUS Foundation are pleased to announce the establishment of the CPI Champion of Equine Service Scholarship. Details about the scholarship were included in the gift bags given to riders at this year’s competition. This scholarship is available only to the participants at this year’s show. CPI applauds the achievements and passion of its participants. The scholarship will reward volunteer service for equine-related organizations on the Foundation’s carrots4acause network.
Horses are enriching the lives of millions of people of all ages every day. With your help, we can transform the way horses are treated and perceived and build a more compassionate America that values the magical and powerful bond we have with horses.

Application Delay for 2013
Applications for the 2013 CPI will be available online starting May 1, 2012 thru November 1, 2012. All applications must be submitted online. A video of hunt seat rider over fences will be required (either via a youtube link or by mail on a disc or usb drive) for proper class level placement by the CPI. 

The wait until May allows applicants to get more riding and competition experience before completing their application, and more time to work on a video.

Top College Coaches Praise 2012 CPI

Many coaches and college representatives from throughout the country were in attendance for this year’s CPI and enjoyed the event.

Jackie Dwelle represented St. Andrews University as a dressage coach and faculty member and was also the seminar speaker for the Intercollegiate Dressage Association. Dwelle was very impressed with the 2012 CPI and believes it is beneficial to both colleges and students.

“I thought the event was run very well,” Dwelle noted. “There was lots of opportunity to talk to students and parents and distribute materials.”

“I love that Robert Dover spent time with the dressage riders talking to them about their rides.” Dwelle declared. “What an honor for those young riders to ride for someone like Robert Dover and receive individualized feedback from him. That is like doing a mini clinic with him!”

Daphne Ross is a coach for the equestrian team at George Washington University and also trains an IEA team through her own Tulip Pond Farm. Ross was very happy to be involved in the CPI event for 2012 and plans to return in 2013. 

On her involvement this year, Ross explained, “I originally wanted to participate to promote the George Washington University Team and the Tulip Pond IEA team, but I got so much more out of it. I got to hear Peter Leone encouraging kids to work hard, be leaders, and follow their dreams in an organized, realistic manner. I also got to meet several other coaches of IEA and IHSA teams. The event was organized and a majority of the horses provided were appropriate. This sometimes can be hard, especially when the zones seem to vary so much.”

“I am encouraging my IEA team members to participate in the event in 2013 and I plan on being there as a coach and advocate for IEA and IHSA once again,” Ross stated. “I have been involved in IHSA for over 15 years as an undergrad, alumni and now coach. I have been thrilled with having an IEA team since 2009. I think it is a wonderful experience for the junior riders.”

“I think some people forget why IHSA was developed,” Ross added. “It was developed for emerging riders that were not in the percentage of very lucky students who had their own horses and were able to compete and train on the ‘A’ circuit. Starting a junior league for this same reason was a wonderful idea! We’re getting a jump on educating younger riders about sportsmanship, horsemanship and being able to ride different mounts.”
Centenary College equestrian coach Michael Dowling was equally impressed with this year’s event and had a great experience during his visit to Wellington. “First off, this was a lovely venue for such an event,” Dowling emphasized. “The rings, setting, judges, etc. were top-notch. I found the opportunity to help educate high school students about the intercollegiate riding opportunities very rewarding. This event offered us a venue with families very interested in colleges. Getting an opportunity to share with them our insight and what our schools have to offer, the difference between NCAA and IHSA, helps create awareness.” 

The CPI would like to thank everyone involved for another great year at their second annual event in Wellington. For more information on the College Preparatory Invitational, please visit www.collegeprepinvitational.com or visit their Facebook page.