FOREST, Va. --- For the first time in league history, the ODAC's traditional equestrian championship will be competed in the fall with the annual event set for Friday at the Virginia Horse Center. The Lexington-based facility hosts this event for the second straight season and third time since 2022 with the league's five programs set to compete beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Scoring for the ODAC championship differs from that of regular IHSA shows where riders are split into two or three separate sections for competition. The ODAC event features teams of four riders using their own horses. In IHSA shows, competing riders must use horses provided by the host.

The ODAC Championship features two jumping rounds -- Equitation Over Fences -- which form the basis for All-ODAC consideration. Two judges score each rider during the fences rounds with averages taken for each. From a team perspective, the low average of the four riders will be dropped with the three remaining riders cumulatively forming that team's score for that session.

The third round of competition -- Equitation on the Flat -- focuses on two appointed riders per school. Those riders will follow the commands given by the judges and will be awarded a score based on several factors surrounding the judges' directions. Both riders' scores are counted and applied to the team's overall total to determine which school lifts the ODAC trophy.

RELATED: Live Championship Scoresheet

The University of Lynchburg had not won an ODAC traditional championship before 2023. Now the two-time NCEA champion Hornets are vying for their fourth straight conference title after winning last season in the event hosted by Bridgewater College. Lynchburg also won its second straight ODAC single-discipline championship last spring.

At last year's spring traditional event, claimed both fences competitions and finished second to Hollins University on the flat. The Hornets' team of Fallyn Belcastro, Elle Nutting, Maddy Rubin, and Alexandra Russell finished with 19 points, two tallies shy of the perfect mark Lynchburg achieved in 2024. Hollins finished as the reserve champion with 14 points, while the host Eagles edged Washington and Lee University by one marker, 11-10, for third place. Sweet Briar College placed fifth with nine points.

For the second straight season, Lynchburg standout Belcastro earned ODAC Rider of the Year laurels. Her head coach, Phillip Williamson, was named ODAC Coach of the Year, while Bridgewater first-year Willow Wright was named ODAC Rookie of the Year. Nutting garnered ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year recognition from the league's athletic communications personnel.

Listed below is information regarding this season's championships. For more, visit the websites of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.