The NCEA is comprised of institutional members that are affiliated with the NCAA at the DI, DII or DIII level. As members, each institution commits to sponsor a varsity equestrian program as part of the intercollegiate athletics department. NCEA teams are funded through the intercollegiate athletics department, including operational expenses, salaries and if applicable, athletic scholarships.
 
NCEA teams comply with all divisional NCAA regulations, as well as conference guidelines for member institutions affiliated with a conference. Currently, there are three conferences recognizing equestrian as a sport with a post-season tournament (i.e., Big 12, ECAC, SEC). NCEA teams follow the standards of eligibility and practices set forth by the NCAA for winter sports. 
 
The NCEA competition format was designed by administrators and coaches who recognized a need for equestrian competition opportunities to fall within a collegiate model of equitable play. The NCEA has developed a competition structure that maximizes the competitive opportunities for student-athletes. NCEA teams have regular season meets leading into post-season conference tournaments and a national championship. Teams compete in a minimum of three head-to-head sanctioned meets from September to March to determine seeding for the NCEA National Championships. A member school may decide to join the NCEA as a dual discipline team (sponsors jumping seat AND western) or a single discipline team (sponsors jumping seat OR western). Membership type determines whether an institution is eligible for post-season competition in the single discipline championship or the dual discipline championship.
 
NCEA teams are fully recognized as a varsity sport in their respective athletic departments. All NCEA member institutions must adhere to rules of implementation and regulations as contained in Title IX Regulations and Guidance. Complying with Title IX and meeting the interests and abilities of female students means offering genuine intercollegiate varsity opportunities. As a result, NCEA member institutions must provide students on the equestrian team with the same benefits and services that other male and female varsity intercollegiate student-athletes receive. Following these guidelines allows for equestrian to be counted in EADA reporting. 
 
Colleges and universities trying to comply with Title IX need to add women's sports that meet the interests and abilities of female students and can be added within the resources of campus athletic departments. Equestrian is designed to meet those needs. Equestrian has the unique ability to encourage relationships between a university’s athletics department and academic departments on campus. Many colleges and universities with academic programs in agriculture or veterinary medicine find great benefit in collaborating with the university’s equestrian team.
 
The NCEA is happy to respond to specific questions from institutions about using equestrian to fulfill the institution's Title IX obligations.