The National Capital Equitation League (NCEL), founded in 1979, seeks to foster team spirit while developing individual riders; to encourage the art of equitation; and to challenge and reward junior riders in equitation by creating, for their participation, a series of round-robin meets patterned after the intercollegiate leagues.

The league is comprised of riding schools throughout Maryland and Virginia. Each riding school supports a team comprised of no more than nine riders (six to ride as point riders plus a maximum of three alternates). Each team will compete against 11-12 teams of junior riders from other schools by the end of the season. There are up to five regular meets with no more than four teams competing in each meet scheduled throughout the season (November - March) plus one finale meet where all teams compete on their own school horses (early March). Team meets are held at member riding facilities and riders compete on the flat and over fences using horses provided by the host school.

NCEL is divided into two leagues (A & B) - each holding their own series of team meets. While several schools have both A & B teams, many just have a single team. The more advanced junior riders in the A League jump 2�6 while B League riders jump 2�0.

At each meet, point riders ride in one flat class and two jumping classes. Riders draw horses for each class provided by the host school. For flat classes, riders have two minutes to warm up. For jumping classes, riders may jump two practice fences in the ring prior to commencing their judged course. Coaches may assist during warm-up time.

Two Alternate�s class provides valuable experience on the flat and over two fences for those riders who don�t yet ride as strongly as the six-member team. Point riders and alternates may change from show to show at the coach�s discretion but alternate points do not count towards year-end rider high point ribbons. Year-end Alternate high point ribbons are awarded at the end-of-year banquet.

Each meet closes with a Finale class. Picked by lottery method, two point riders from each team compete on the flat (with and without irons) and over two fences. A random horsemanship question is asked of each rider as an integral part of the judge�s criteria for pinning the class. This question comes from a packet distributed to all teams at the beginning of the season. With regard to year-end cumulative points, Finale points won by individual riders are awarded to the team but not to the rider.

Most team members do not have the opportunity to own a horse. This type of competition allows them to test their equitation and horsemanship skills with many different types of horses. All horses used must be school horses or privately owned horses that are used regularly in the host school�s lesson program. The league as well as individual coaches encourages team effort and spirit and sportsmanship.

NCEL celebrates the end of the season with an award�s banquet bringing the A and B Leagues together. This is a gala event recognizing each team rider with a ribbon corresponding to their team�s final placing in the league. The high point team in each league takes home a NCEL trophy to display in their barn for the year. Riders are also placed according to points earned throughout the season. The top ten riders in each league are awarded ribbons and the high point rider�s name is added to the NCEL plaque to be displayed at the rider�s barn for the year. The top ten Alternate riders are also awarded ribbons.

NCEL also presents Sportsmanship and Coaches awards for each league - these awards are determined by nominations received throughout the season from participants at each meet. Each team is asked to nominate one coach and up to three riders at each meet from among their competitors who best exemplify principals of good coaching and sportsmanship.

Team fees are $150 per team. Entry fees at the meets are $175 per team plus $15 for each alternate. Each of team�s six point riders generally pay $30 each. Each alternates will pay $15 for the two Alternate�s classes. Checks for entry fees are written out to the host school of each meet. The host school uses this money to pay the judge and other related show expenses. Ribbons are paid for by the NCEL using the proceeds from the team fees.