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Lowcountry Equestrian team stresses horsemanship

Published Tuesday, February 21, 2012 9:52 AM

By Dan Brown
Berkeley Independent

Equestrian riding has long been a staple in Berkeley County and is now finally getting some well-deserved recognition following Berkeley High School’s Savanna Southard signing an equestrian scholarship, the first by a native South Carolinian, at the University of South Carolina.

The LowCountry Interscholatic Equestrian Association (IEA) Team was formed and organized to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction available to middle and high school students, as well as to funnel riders to collegiate riding teams.

As a member of the IEA, the team is geared to promote the common interests of safe riding instruction and competition, develop understanding and appreciation of equestrian sports, provide students with organized competitive events, and provide additional equine educational opportunities.

“Team riders are offered the experience of a lifetime, training as a team and enjoying a well-organized competition circuit,” said team treasurer Brenna Svagerko. “Through the IEA, student riders have a few opportunities to earn scholarships toward their college education.”

The IEA is an affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation, the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, and the USHJA.

Here the emphasis is placed on horsemanship, according to Svagerko. “The emphasis is on the rider’s ability to ride, not ownership of a horse that might present an advantage due to its abilities,” she said. “The unique aspect of these competitions, both at the local and national level, is that it emulates the collegiate riding format where none of the riders supply their own horses or tack.

“Instead, the horses, saddle and other tack are all provided to the students at the competition by the host team.”

The equipment and horses may be borrowed from various local training barns and facilities. The horses essentially are new to the riders, and the scores are based upon horsemanship, not the horse.

“This allows all riders, no matter the financial backing, to compete on a level playing field,” Svagerko said. “The skills the riders develop in this structure of competition are clearly invaluable.”

The LowCountry Equestrian IEA Team is divided into two riding disciplines: English and Western Riders. Rachel Clark serves as team coach assisted by Vicky Hall. Sonya Pitt serves as team manager.

Team members of the 2011-2012 English Team are Marissa Patton, Sami Marshall, Kirsten LaVassar, Megan Rab, Peyton Svagerko, Leah Funderburg, Katelyn Klutts, Morgan Murphy and Madison Gleaton.

Three of the English team members, Marissa Patton, Avery Wellington, and Leah Funderburg, have qualified for regional competition, according to Svagerko.

Western Team members are Anna Payton, Anna Sudderth and Larissa Carey.

The Lowcountry Equestrian IEA Teams will hold a barbecue fundraiser at Heritage Hall Farms, the team’s host barn, on April 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. with entertainment provided by the Sweetgrass Girls Bluegrass Band.

For more information about the fundraiser, contact Sonya Pitt sonya.pitt.cpf@gmail.com or tickets can be purchased at http://www.showclix.com/event/214208.

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