Inspiring Sportsmanship: the USDF/IDA National Quiz Challenge

By Nicole Sofocli

Earlier this summer, I, the Captain of the Rutgers Dressage Team, along with three other teammates of mine from Rutgers University, had the opportunity to attend the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) Nationals for the USDF/IDA National Quiz Challenge at The International Equestrian Center in Tryon, North Carolina. The week was filled with studying for the Quiz, watching IDA riders from all over the country, and making friends with the young (high school and below) Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) dressage riders whose Nationals were held in conjunction with this year’s IDA Nationals. 

There were many highlights of the week, including getting to see all of the technical dressage movements that we had studied up for the Quiz Challenge in action. As the Quiz took place on Wednesday to kick off the start of Nationals, we had the opportunity to watch the horse selection prior to taking the Quiz. This provided us with a final and unique studying opportunity, as my teammates and I took turns answering questions about the different gaits and movements each horse performed right in front of us. Then, having the opportunity to audit what we call the ‘Largest Collegiate Dressage Clinic’ the following days was an amazing learning opportunity, and something I was so grateful to be able to participate in, thanks to the Quiz Challenge. 

The Quiz Challenge was truly a multi-faceted learning experience. We had the opportunity to expand our dressage knowledge through different types of learning, including academic (studying using the complementary USDF course materials and taking the quiz), vicarious (watching the individual and team rides), and kinaesthetic (getting to physically practice what we had learned at Nationals back at home and in the saddle). Competing in the Quiz Challenge has changed the way our team looks at and studies dressage, and we feel that it has helped us to become better equestrians. The Quiz Challenge was an invaluable learning experience, and embodies the IDA mission of “foster[ing] continued development, understanding and appreciation in the art of dressage.” 

While having the opportunity to expand my dressage knowledge and watch some fantastic rides was wonderful, the real highlight of the week was witnessing firsthand the camaraderie that exists within the collegiate dressage community. As a small team, we don’t always get the chance to interact with our fellow Region C schools outside of the show ring, and having the opportunity to go to Nationals allowed us to further connect with our fellow Region C schools, Centenary University and Delaware Valley University. Rutgers did not have any team members riding at Nationals this year, so this was an opportunity for us to cheer on the other schools in our Region. While doing so, we witnessed a great act of sportsmanship between Centenary’s First Level rider, Abby Fodor, and DelVal’s Intro rider, Madison Pasyanos. 

Abby, who had a masterfully ridden test and was the First Level Champion on Individual Day, witnessed Madison’s unfortunate ride on a horse who was having a tough day; unprompted, she decided to give her first-place winnings to Madison. After checking with her coach to see if that was permissible, Abby more than generously donated her first-place prize to Madison. Region C coaches and riders alike were touched by this selfless and generous act, and exemplary demonstration of sportsmanship. 

Fodor’s act was the epitome of the kind of sportsmanship the IDA strives for. On day two of Nationals, Team Day, Madison had a beautiful and redeeming ride, and ended up Champion of the Introductory Level, and High Point Rider of the show. Madison paid Abby’s kindness forward, giving the initial prize that she had been given the previous day to another Centenary rider, who had been eliminated.

Abby’s selfless act set off a chain reaction of unexpected, but very much welcome, sportsmanship amongst our region, breaking barriers in the IDA world. Abby Fodor demonstrated to us all that we can still (and must) treat each other with kindness and respect, even when we are competitors. Sportsmanship at its finest. One commonality between all of us Collegiate Dressage riders is that we all have bad days and bad rides, but to know that when that happens, you can count not only on your own team, but the other teams in your Region to have your back; now that is truly something special. 

The Centenary coach, Mallory Chambers, should be very proud of the team she has assembled, and the sense of community and sportsmanship she is fostering amongst her riders. Rutgers is honored to be part of such a welcoming and supportive IDA Region, and is forever grateful to the USDF/IDA National Quiz Challenge for making it possible for three schools from our region to be together at Nationals.