getting onto a college equestrian team?

by **Rachel** on Thu Oct 22, 2009 4:57 pm

i've landed a tryout with a hopefully future college!

i'm going there soon because they want to see me ride in person, but i think fiver other girls are going too. some are western (i ride english)

but i was wondering if it's hard to get onto the equestrian team at college?

thanks!

so excited

by **pickmefirstplz058** on Thu Oct 22, 2009 5:02 pm

all depends on which college

by **SandraS787** on Thu Oct 22, 2009 5:09 pm

Usually, most equestrian teams hold tryouts in the beginning of the school year for beginners to advanced riders. It can be costly depending on whether or not it's an NCAA sport at the school you choose. If it is the school pays all the expenses, except you will have to pay for your own riding attire. Usually the team and sometimes individual members pay the extra costs. Would advise you look into scholarships that can be applied for once you have been on the team at least one year, especially if you get on as a freshman, as they are generally for sophomores and up. Good Luck.

Here's a directory link of colleges..not aware of your location. The Internet is a great tool to search such info..(if the below link doesn't do it for you)..

http://www.dmoz.org/Sports/Equestrian/College_and_University/

I hope this helps and is what you're looking for..
Again Good Luck :)

by **kmnmiamisax034** on Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:37 pm

Well, it depends. What college are you trying to go to? Is the team an IHSA team or does it compete in NCAA?

At some colleges, the equestrian team is quite a selective group. At others, they'll let anyone join. It just depends on the demand.

At schools with a large equestrian program, it can be difficult to make the team. Usually those schools give a preference to the older students leaving freshmen like yourself waiting until next year to join the team despite equal riding ability. Some schools offer a JV team to students who did not make the real team... students on that team will practice with the team, but do not get to compete at horse shows. However, when there's a vacancy on the real team, they'll use the JV riders to fill those spots... so you could get promoted during the school year.

Sometimes when freshmen don't make the team, they get kind of discouraged so they quit riding or being involved with the team, then they never make the team. So if you don't make it your first year, don't give up. Go to the team's shows and volunteer to help them... they need people to set up the jumps course and to tack up horses and hold horses while they're not in the ring. If you volunteer and show them that you're really serious about being a part of the team, you'll definately be given a spot on the team in the future.

So go to your tryout with confidence, but if you're not chosen, don't be too upset about it... college is 4 years... if you don't make the team during your first year, you still have 3 more years.

getting onto a college equestrian team?