Centenary University Equestrian Team. Photo credit: Hana Aksterowic.
For many young equestrians, the absence of horses or riding during college is simply not an option. Luckily for these students, countless colleges and universities on the east coast have their own riding teams, often with barns and riding facilities on or within a short distance of campus. These teams provide students with the opportunity to ride often, typically once a week in practice, and additional days, should the students wish to ride in their free time.
Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) provides riders with these opportunities to practice and show with a team, without the need to own a horse. Through IHSA, students can compete several times each school year and qualify for regional, zone, and national finals individually or for the team. IHSA is based upon the concept of catch riding, where students randomly draw their horse and compete with no warm up or practice. The team aspect of this type of competition makes every level of rider equal in importance- the walk/trot riders are just as critical to the success of the team as the over fences riders.
One of the greatest benefits of being an IHSA member is the team atmosphere. From team practices to horse shows to team bonding events, IHSA teams are a way for students to meet new people and form close bonds with their teammates that often last a lifetime.
When exploring different colleges and riding options, students should consider the time they are willing to commit to the team and find one that meets their expectations, as well as one within their comfort zone. Joining a team that makes riders feel completely welcomed and “at home”, will make the entire collegiate riding experience all the more enjoyable.
Some of the top teams to explore on the east coast include George Washington University (Washington, DC), Centenary University (Hackettstown, NJ), Goucher College (Baltimore, MD), Delaware Valley University (Doylestown, PA), and University of Delaware (Newark, DE). Representatives from each team were interviewed to gain deeper insight into their thoughts on collegiate riding.
Q: Tell me about your team’s accomplishments.
Sara Currie (Captain- George Washington University): We finished runner up High Point Champion team for our region in 2019-2020 year which was sadly cut short by COVID, during that same season we won High Point Champion team in three IHSA shows and Reserve High Point Champion team twice! We have very successful riders who regularly place in their own local circuits as well!
Tanner Pfeffer (Captain- Centenary University): Our team has placed first in our region every year since 1997. We are typically the top team in the zone and have won the IHSA Hunter Seat National Championship in 2009, 2011, and 2014, and were reserve champion in 2015 and 2017!
Jennifer Smith (Coach- Goucher College): The Goucher Varsity Equestrian Team has claimed the IHSA Zone IV Region I Champion Team title for the last 10 consecutive years. We’ve won multiple Zone Championships, Reserve Championships and several IHSA National Championships. We’ve also been in the top at the American National Riding Club (ANRC) National Intercollegiate Equitation Championships.
Cory Kieschnick (Equestrian Teams Director- Delaware Valley University): We’ve had a lot of success, particularly over the past 20 years. Most recently, our 2019 team was Zone 3 Champion and were 4th at IHSA Nationals. We’ve had numerous top ten placings at Nationals over the years, as well as many collegiate cup and individual champions and success in the alumni division, as well.
Mary Macmillan (Captain- University of Delaware): Our team has been regional champion for the past several years and we went undefeated in our region in 2018. In 2017 one of our captains placed 5th in the Cacchione Cup at nationals which was an amazing accomplishment.
Q: What makes your team unique from others?
SC: Our team is really unique as GW is not typically a school that would have such an array of riders due to our location, so we are really excited to have such a diverse and successful team despite being a city school!
TP: Our team does not have tryouts so we will accept anyone! We try to incorporate everyone from all levels and confidence to our team, and try to foster progress and a better riding education. We keep the horses and the team as the main focus in our activities, and our coaches work hard not just to make us better riders for the ring but also better horsemen and women all around.
JS: Being (1) on-campus, and (2) co-ed are definitely the two characteristics that make us “stand out” the most. The stables are about 100 feet from the dorms, which allows the students to fit more riding time into their rigorous course load. They can also get involved in other areas of campus because they aren’t spending so much time driving to and from the barn. Our team is also about 30% male, which is not very common, and we have an equine studies minor.
CK: I think there are many aspects that set our team apart. Our Equestrian Center is right on campus, as is our equine breeding facility. We have nearly 100 horses on campus. Our riders can just walk to the barn from the residence halls! It’s very, very normal to head straight to the dining hall or class after a lesson in your riding clothes. We’re also so lucky that we’re under the Department of Athletics at DelVal; our riders are considered student athletes. They don’t pay for horse shows or lessons. We have access to the campus athletic trainers and facilities. We have such a wonderful mix of students from all majors (equine management, pre-vet, business, education, and so many more) who ride on the team.
This is also a close-knit team, which I love. They find their lifelong friends on the team. Ourlumni also support our current riders- they’ll post encouragement on a DelVa l
Equestrian Team (DVUET) Facebook page during post-season, cheering on the riders.
MM: I think one of the main things that makes the UD team so great is the fact that we have so many lesson horses. We rarely ride the same horse twice in a semester. This gives us the opportunity to practice on a ton of different horses and ponies and adapt to them. This gives us important skills that we need when we show IHSA, since we must be adaptable to any horse we draw.
Q: How many opportunities do students have to ride each week?
SC: Riders ride once a week to boost their personal skills and promote team bonding but can ride multiple times a week if they have the opportunity and time.
TP: Our team practices every Friday with different time slots to join depending on riding level. Anyone who wants to practice is easily able to do so every Friday and students are encouraged to hack the horses as often as possible. Many of our members also take a riding class through Centenary’s equine program which gives them an additional two lessons a week.
JS: Varsity riders can choose to ride 3, 4 or 5 times per week. We also work with a strength and conditioning coach and athletic trainer.
CK: During regular season, our team riders have two lessons a week at our on campus Equestrian Center. Regardless of their major, our students all have the opportunity to ride in our academic riding skills classes, so they could ride an additional two days per week with those classes. During post-season, we typically ride and workout five days a week.
MM: Our coach normally offers lessons 4 or 5 days a week and there are 3 to 4 different time slots for lessons on those days. Students can ride as much as they want, but typically we ride once to twice a week.
Q: How many times does your team typically show each season?
SC: Our team typically shows up to 8 times a season in IHSA shows in our region.
TP: Typically we will do about 5 shows during the fall semester with Centenary hosting 2 of those. During the spring semester we will compete at 2-3 shows before regionals, zones, and nationals. So about 10 shows for the whole academic year!
JS: We go to about 9 regular IHSA Shows a year, plus 3 Tournaments and a few other outside horse shows. Our calendar is pretty full!
CK: Our region usually holds 8-10 regular season horse shows. We’re lucky that most of the shows are unlimited rides, which means that all of our riders can compete. That’s not typical of many regions. We also participate in tournaments, Regional and Zone Championships, and the National Finals.
MM: Our team typically shows 7-10 times in the fall semester and 3 times in the spring plus regionals and zones for those who qualify!
Q: What do you think prospective students should know before joining a college equestrian team?
SC: I think they should know that while college riding might not be what they are used to, especially if they are not hunter-based riders, it is still an incredibly fulfilling experience. It is an amazing way to bond with other horse-loving students as well as find a way to ride horses while still being connected to their school and other students.
TP: Get to know your coaches- it is really important to not only find a knowledgeable instructor, but also one that will take a personal interest in all of their riders. It is really hard to ride to your best and grow as a rider when you don’t have a coach fully supporting and pushing you to be your best.
JS: Be coachable, and enjoy the team camaraderie aspect of being on an IHSA or ANRC team – the success of every rider matters! For many riders, it's their first team experience. It can be so rewarding, and will inevitably build lifelong friendships. Work hard, and have fun with it!
CK: I encourage prospective riders to come to campus for a tour and if possible, to take a lesson with the team. I think it’s so important that riders know if they feel comfortable with the teaching styles of the coaching staff. It is also helpful for them to see how the riders interact with each other and with the coaches. Academics should come first. Once you determine your major choices and decide what size school you want, then incorporate your riding goals into your college search. When you go to tryouts or join a team, be prepared to take instruction and work hard. Be committed to learning. What we love about the intercollegiate system is that it takes riding from an individual to a team sport. Be ready to help out and cheer on your teammates!
MM: To any prospective students, if you are hesitant about joining the team, because you feel like it may be too advanced or even that it is a “step down” from what you currently show in, give it a chance! IHSA is totally different than any other horse show you will ever do, and it makes you a better, stronger rider. You will also make friendships and connections that will last a lifetime, and in college it can be intimidating to make new friends.