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At intercollegiate horse shows, horses and riders are paired up through a random drawing. Divisions range from beginner walk-trot through open equitation. At the more advanced levels (novice through open), competition includes jumping as well as flat work. Riders advance through the levels by accumulating points at each horse show. First place is worth 7 points, second place is worth 5 points, third is 4 points, fourth is 3 point and so on. Once a rider accumulates 35 points, the rider advances to the next division. When riders advance to a new division, they are eligible to compete at the regional finals. In open classes, each rider begins a new season with zero points. Thus, open riders who finish at the top of their division advance to regional finals regardless of the number of points they have. The top two winners in each class from that competition go on to the zone finals. The best two individuals from the zone finals progress to the national championships held each year in May. In addition to individual competition, each team strives to be the high point college in their region. The coach and captains of each college designate a "point rider" in each division prior to the start of each show. The "point rider” is not only competing for himself or herself but he or she is representing the college as well. No one on the team except for the captains will ever know which riders are “pointed”. The total number of points accumulated by each college is the sum of the points won by the college's “point rider” in each division.
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