56 SIDELINES JUNE 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Riding on an equestrian team can add to your college experience
e
Education
How to Ride on an Equestrian Team
By Sloane Milstein
One of the biggest questions about college riding is how a rider
makes it on to an equestrian team? Does the program recruit its
riders, hold a tryout or have an all inclusive participation policy?
This question comes after several current college riders admitted
they felt mislead when they visited with the team during their initial
college visit. Each of them conveyed a similar story of feeling that
the school’s tryout was a formality when in reality there were only
a handful of spots for upwards of 75 riders trying out.
Some schools are able to take all students that want to participate
because the team will raise its lesson and competition fees. Other
teams are supported by an athletic or recreation department and
will have a set number of members that can participate, often
determined by the program’s budget. If the athletic department
sponsors the sport, then coaches may recruit riders, which entail
a very specifc process mandated by the NCAA.
No matter what method, it is import for you to be part of team.
Here are a few questions you might want to ask during your
college visits: How many spots will be available the year you are
planning on attending? How many riders generally tryout each
year? At what levels will tryouts be held? For example, if those
graduating are novice level riders then it might suggest that only
novice level spots will be open.
You might also fnd out if you don’t make the team when the
next opportunity to tryout will be: Next semester? Next year? Or
if the program is for recruited athletes only will there be “walk ons”
or individual tryout opportunities? Also, if you did not make the
team it is important that you consider meeting with the coach to
determine what specifcally you should work on to prepare for the
next tryout and fnd out if there is an opportunity to volunteer with
the team.
Another option for those who are self-starters or who
participate in a discipline that is not offered is to request to add
a team or program. Some institutions have a “team” sponsored
by the athletic department and a “club” sponsored by a recreation
department. Other schools that have an existing hunt seat team
might be very interested if you want to add a western, dressage,
saddle seat team, etc...
If none of the above options work out for you and you still
have your heart set on riding at
college, ask if the school’s riding
facility gives lessons in the form
of physical education classes
or if they would suggest a local
riding facility that might be able
to accommodate you when you
attend their school. The more
questions you ask ahead of time
the more likely you will have a
positive equestrian experience
while attending college.
About Sloane: Sloane
Milstein
founded College
Riding 101 after completing
her fourth season as an NCAA
Division I, Varsity Equestrian
and IHSA Coach and Assistant
Athletic Director for Sacred
Heart University.