Athletic Equestrian league
The Athletic Equestrian League (AEL) is an organization of 4th-12th grade & adult equestrian athletes who compete in practical horsemanship. Riders in the AEL are judged against a set of standards, both on the flat and over fences, and receive a score on their ride. In addition, each athlete completes an unmounted practicum, and that score is added to their mounted score. Each rider receives a flat score (40 points), a fences score (40 points), and a practicum score (20 points), and all three scores are added together for their score for the day.
Riders in the AEL ride the “host” team’s horses, they do not bring their own mounts. This gives all riders, even if they don't own a horse, a chance to show and compete. This format is very similar to showing at the collegiate level. Levels in the AEL include Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, and Open.
For each class in the AEL, a group of six riders, all competing at the same level, ride as a group for their flat phase, then proceed directly to their fences phase, then proceed directly to their practicum phase. Spectators, as well as families and friends, are familiar with the judging standards and have a good understanding of how the rider places and what the rider needs to work on in order to improve their score. Each athlete takes home a copy of their score sheets that includes the judge's comments.
Our AEL team is made up of students that take weekly lessons with Erin. If you are interested in joining the Mahogany Bay Farm AEL Team please let Erin know!