When was the last time you went to a show where there were smiles all around, with exhibitors who weren’t scrambling for points or fretting about trying to qualify for a bigger show?

For me, it was yesterday–at the Alumni Tournament of Champions, presented by Alumni Equestrian Events. The show at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone, N.J., was open to hunt seat and western riders who had competed on their Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association teams. Competitors who ranged in age from 21 to their 60s rode horses drawn by lot, just the way it’s done in IHSA competition.

The 80 participants, who had attended a variety of schools including the Ivy League, state universities and small colleges, were thrilled not only to have a chance to compete, but also to enjoy riding while making new friends and spending time with those they rode with or against in the past. It’s particularly special for alumni who can’t afford to have their own horses, because it gives them a chance to ride and show without spending beyond their budgets.

Camaraderie is a big part of the Alumni Tournament of Champions. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)

The Tournament of Champions has been held since 2012, but Alumni Equestrian Events is a new group, formed last year after IHSA decided not to offer competition for alumni anymore, maintaining the association needed to put all its focus on undergrads. AEE stages alumni competitions across the country from August through April.

“What’s been great is we’ve had people who had never been exposed to us before coming and saying, `Ohmigosh, I didn’t know I could ride all year long,’ ” said AEE Chairman Lena Andrews.

A number of IHSA coaches also dropped by the championship show to see what was going on.

AEE, which has more than 100 members, would like to see 50 percent growth in the next year. Judging by the enthusiasm level, that seems likely to happen.

Meggan Rusiewicz, winner of the Alumni Flat championship, is a fan of how the new group has handled the alumni desire to compete.

“I love it. I think it’s great what they’ve done with it. I’m really happy that they’ve been able to carry on the legacy that was alumni IHSA riding and I’m happy to be able to participate still,” said the 26-year-old chemical engineer, who was on the team at the University of Pittsburgh.

Meggan Rusiewicz, winner of the Alumni Flat class, with Lena Andrews, AEE chairman. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)

IHSA was “the only way I was able to continue riding through college,” said Meggan, citing finances and the fact that her own 20-year-old horse was five hours away near Philadelphia.

“I hope I am able to continue doing this. It’s been really a blast and I enjoy it, especially the catch riding and all the great horses we’re able to have here today.”

Noting she was disappointed that IHSA dropped the alumni, she added, “I’m glad we were able to keep it going with this organization.”

AEE Treasurer Jessie Ann Green, a Hofstra University alum, was active in IHSA and a finalist in the prestigious IHSA Cacchione Cup competition as an undergrad. The special events coordinator of Desert Horse Park in California, she also worked for the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association.

Jessie, who flew up to New Jersey for the show from her summer home in Kentucky, feels, “It’s always special to be here at USET. I love this show, the horses are great, I always have a great time and see my friends and it’s always a special weekend for me every year. I can’t believe how many members we have this year and I can’t believe how much we’ve grown in just a short time and how many shows we’ve had. We’re only going to expand next year.”

Among the featured offerings at the show were the reunion classes, for non-members of AEE, and the Future Alumni Cup, for recent graduates who just officially took on alumni status.

Emily Yonkes, second in the Cup, is planning to join AEE. She called the show, “a blast. It was an immense experience for me.”

The 21-year-old, who last month got her diploma from Long Island University, is planning to join AEE in order to continue pursuing her favorite pastime and having the opportunity to show.

“Riding is a very expensive sport,” she explained.

“Being a student who is in an immense amount of debt, I still get to do the things I love while transitioning into the adult world.”

Emma Venanzi, 22.who won the Future Alumni Cup, rode on the University of Pittsburgh IHSA team and wants to join AEE.

Emma Venanzi competing in the Future Alumni class. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)

“It’s a great opportunity for young adults who are in that weird in-between to still be able to ride,” said Emma, who works at a psychiatric hospital as a therapist on a child and adolescent floor.

“The horses are my break,” she said, noting she bonded with so many people when she was on the IHSA team.

Her aunt, Blanton Goll, who is 10 years older and works in human resources, inspired her niece to become involved with IHSA.

For Blanton, a Westchester University grad, the alumni shows are “a great opportunity to get another chance to put on show clothes, if you don’t have your own competitive horse.”

The initials of Alumni Tournament of Champions spelled out in horse show ribbons against the backdrop of the USET Foundation stables. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)

After three years at the USET Foundation, the 2025 show will be at Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts, which has its own riding program and horses, which means mounts won’t have to be rounded up from area stables as they were this year.

Tammy Cranouski, AEE national director, discussed the effort that keeps AEE operating.

It’s a sisterhood that “runs on the enthusiasm that we all have for alumni competitions; and to ensure it keeps going forward is amazing,” she said, noting “we just built upon what Bob Caccione started. (He was the founder of IHSA).

“We’re continuing that legacy and making sure it’s available for alumni riders on a go-forward basis. A lot of times, this is their only opportunity to ride and compete, they may not have horses at home, they may not be able to maintain that type of lifestyle. So they get to create wonderful friendships and enjoy themselves.”

Tammy, a Connecticut resident who attended Westfield State University, wound up as reserve national champion in western horsemanship.

The tournament started when Lena, one of the IHSA zone chairpeople, and her friend, Jamie Windle, another chairperson, wanted a show where their riders could compete against each other.

” It’s a lot of work. It’s been worth it 110 percent,” said Lena.

The trophies presented are memorable, and the winners get to take them home but must bring them back the next year.

Emma Venanzi and Lena Andrews with one of the organization’s many trophies. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)

“A lot of them are eBay finds,” Lena revealed, noting one is part of her old kitchen sink, sanded down and fitted with a silver cowboy boot for the western division.

“My dad made some of these pieces. Some of the trophies over the years were smaller and grew,” Lena said.

“We had to put bases on them. I love awards and ribbons and I want everything to look beautiful for everyone. It’s a passion of mine.”

And so are AEE and the Tournament. As Lena explained, ““I call it my labor of love.”

(For more information on the alumni opportunities, go to https://www.alumnitoc.com.)