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April 28, 2008 Contact: Kaitlin Spak Cal Poly Equestrian Team Headed to National Competition May 8-11 SAN LUIS OBISPO – The Cal Poly Equestrian Team is heading to national championships in two weeks.
Spak, a third-year mechanical engineering student, will be representing Cal Poly in the novice hunt-seat equitation on the flat individual competition. To get to nationals, Spak accumulated more than 35 points in her division at regular shows, and then had to qualify in both Regional and Zone competitions held earlier this year. IHSA events differ from regular horse shows in that horses for the competitors are supplied by the host school or area, and competitors draw for a random horse to ride. The competitor does not get to try out the horse or warm it up. In competition, the rider gets on, adjusts the equipment, and is immediately judged on his or her position, effectiveness and riding skills, known collectively as “equitation.” Cal Poly’s Peerless Pete and Mick will be two of the horses drawn by riders in the open competition. The Cal Poly Equestrian Team maintains six horses and has about 40 members, most of whom will be attending the IHSA National Show as volunteers. Members show in both the hunt-seat and Western divisions, and range in ability from beginners to advanced with years of horse showing experience. CPET is a student-run university team comprised of students from many majors across campus. More advanced members coach and pass along their knowledge to new members. The team is advised by Animal Science Professor Pete Agalos and sponsored by Nutrena Feeds. ### Editors please note: photos of team members at practice are available. For jpgs, e-mail Teresa Hendrix at thendrix@calpoly.edu
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The team will be competing and volunteering at the 2008 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championship at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center May 8-11. Cal Poly Equestrian Team member Kaitlin Spak is competing in two events, along with two Mustang team horses, Peerless Pete and Mick.
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