NCEA competitions are based on a head-to-head format and can include single/dual disciplines (i.e., Jumping Seat, Western). There are two events within each discipline, Jumping Seat Fences and Flat; Western Horsemanship and Reining. A school, depending on membership type, may compete as a single discipline team in only Jumping Seat or Western events or a dual discipline team in Jumping Seat and Western events. During a meet, five riders from each team compete head-to-head in each event. Each rider is paired with one of five horses, in each event, per a random draw before the competition. Riders from opposing teams compete on the same horse in the head-to-head competition. Each rider receives a score, and the rider with the highest score earns one point for her team. In NCEA competition, the level of difficulty is demonstrated by the accuracy of the pattern and how the competitor uses the horse that she draws to the best of her ability.
Championship Format
NCEA National Championship Dual Discipline Championship: The top eight-ranked dual discipline teams are invited to compete in the NCEA National Championship Dual Discipline Championship. The championship is designed as a bracketed single elimination tournament. Each team will compete head-to-head with four riders in each of the Events: Fences and Flat for the Jumping Seat events and Reining and Horsemanship for the Western events. The team that scores the most points (16 possible points available for each matchup) will advance to the next round. Day 1 includes quarterfinals play; Day 2 includes semi-final play; Day 3 concludes with the championship round.
NCEA National Championship Single Discipline Championship: The top four-ranked single discipline teams are invited to compete in the NCEA National Championship Single Discipline Championship. The championship is designed as a bracketed single elimination tournament. Each team will compete head-to-head with 4 riders in each of the Jumping Seat events: Fences and Flat. The team that scores the most points (8 possible points available for each matchup) will advance to the next round. Day 2 includes semifinals play and championship round is scheduled for Day 3.
NCEA Event National Championship: The top six-ranked event teams in each of the four events are invited to compete in the NCEA Fences Championship, NCEA Flat Championship, NCEA Horsemanship Championship, and NCEA Reining Championship. Both single and dual discipline teams are eligible to qualify for the event championships. These championships are designed as a bracketed single elimination tournament. Each event team will compete head-to-head with four riders. The team that scores the most points (4 possible points available for each matchup) will advance to the next round. The event championship competition begins Day 1 and concludes on Day 3.