According to Lena Andrews - Licata, who along with Jamie Windle created the Alumni Tournament shows, the Western Alumni Cup Trophy (seen here) was created in part by Lena's Father. Someone will become the first rider to earn this trophy at the conclusion of the inaugural Western Alumni Tournament of Champions on July 19 (photo courtesy of the Alumni Tournament of Champions).

FIRST-EVER WESTERN ALUMNI TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS EVENT TO BE HELD NEAR PHILADELPHIA THIS SATURDAY

The keystone state, more commonly known as Pennsylvania, hosted the first hunter seat Alumni Tournament of Champions horse show in 2012. That event was in Wayne, Pennsylvania, on the grounds of Valley Forge Military College. In 2014 the first-ever Western Alumni Tournament event will also be held in Pennsylvania, taking place at Red Wing Farm in Hilltown, Pennsylvania this Saturday (July 19). Both locations are not far from Philadelphia.

With Smith Brothers the title sponsor, roughly 20 riders from over eight different IHSA regions will take part in the first western alumni event. It is not clear exactly when the show will start, though registration will take place starting at 7:15AM so by 9:15AM the Alumni Cup Reining Phase will hopefully be underway. Aside from the two-phased alumni cup division (reining and a later rail phase) there is an 'advanced division' for alumni who reached that level as undergraduates, an alumni horsemanship division (two heats and a final) and an alumni reining division separate from the one which is part of the Cup competition. The two-phased alumni cup competition will result in one rider earning the title of top rider at this first event.

There were 18 riders at the first hunter seat Alumni Tournament two summers ago and that number nearly doubled for the second event in 2013. One can only hope the Western Alumni Tournament is equally successful.

--Steve Maxwell