American National Riding Commission – ANRC

The American National Riding Commission (ANRC) promotes the highest quality of educated riding and related services within schools, colleges, universities, and public or private riding establishments, by offering a rider certification program, instructional clinics and competitive opportunities both locally and nationally.

The primary goal of ANRC is to promote the American System of Forward Riding. This system is based on the idea that the rider’s position or seat, control, and schooling of the horse are integral parts. The training objectives seek to develop the horse’s agility and strength under the weight of the rider, and achieve balance of the horse independently of the rider’s aids. Emphasis is placed on the rider’s ability to achieve a cooperative performance, allowing the horse to move forward freely with connected movement, while remaining calm and alert.

ANRC National Intercollegiate Equitation Championship

The ANRC Intercollegiate Equitation Championship, traditionally held in April, is a National championship where colleges showcase their most talented riders in a team competition judged and scored on equitation skills in four phases:

1. Program ride (includes USEF hunter equitation tests)
2. Hunter seat equitation medal course at 3’
3. Derby course (natural jumps in a field) at 3’
4. Written test based on riding theory and stable management

Students may compete on a college-owned horse or a privately owned horse. The highest score in each phase will be awarded to the rider who demonstrates excellence in equitation and produces a smooth, cooperative performance exemplifying quality hunter movement both on the flat and over fences. In 2011, a Novice Division was added at 2’6” to provide an introductory level of competition for riders with similar goals.

USHJA is a primary sponsor of the ANRC National Intercollegiate Equitation Championship and ANRC competitors are eligible for the USHJA Affiliates Awards program. Beginning in 2012, the USHJA will partner with the ANRC to add horsemanship curriculum to the USHJA Outreach Program. For more information on the USHJA/ANRC Horsemanship Program, visit www.ushja.org or contact kknotek@ushja.org.

For more information about ANRC programs and the National Intercollegiate Equitation Championship, visit the official ANRC website at www.anrc.org or contact Marion Lee, Executive Secretary, at marionhlee@verizon.net.