SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Equestrian Gallery
      • Stallions
      • Horses & Ponies for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Thursday, September 01 2022 / Published in Weekly Feature

Sydney Berube: Finding a Home at Texas Christian University

By Jan Westmark Bauer

Portraits by Isabel J. Kurek

Sydney Berube has been riding her entire life, thanks to her mother who had a passion for horses and passed it on to her daughter. Growing up in Bedford, New Hampshire, Sydney was 4 years old when she got her first pony. “I was very fortunate to have a barn in my backyard and looked forward to riding each day after school,” Sydney said.

Now 20 and a junior at Texas Christian University (TCU), a member of the Big 12 Conference and the NCEA, in Fort Worth, Texas, Sydney said when she began looking at colleges, the aspects of TCU that really stuck out to her included the quality of the business school, the amount of support from alumni, the beautiful campus, class sizes, the coaches and the other girls she met on the team.

Sydney showed in the Big Eq and the jumpers prior to college. “I started training with Gretchen Anderson in New Boston, New Hampshire, and more recently I’ve been fortunate to ride with trainers such as Chris Kappler, Andre Digneli and Katie Prudent, who have all helped me to become a more well-rounded rider,” Sydney said. “I began riding with Andre Digneli at Heritage Farm during my last Junior year to focus more on the equitation. Andre’s program really helped me progress as a rider. He helped me throughout my recruitment process and even reached out to the coaches for me. Now I primarily train with Katie Prudent at Plain Bay Farm and compete in the jumpers.” 

How did you choose TCU? 

I chose TCU for many reasons. I had never been to Texas before touring TCU that first time. The moment I got on campus, I felt comfortable and safe, like the feeling you get when you are home. The student body size was another big factor for me: not too small but just big enough, like a close family; also great sports teams! All the people I have met have been friendly and welcoming. The quality of the business school was very important as well. 

Do you like going to school in Texas? 

I love going to school in Texas. Although I’m in a completely different environment than where I grew up in Bedford, New Hampshire, I now can’t imagine attending school anywhere else. All the buildings on campus are beautiful and most of my classes are a short distance apart or even in the same building. The past two winters I’ve been on campus we’ve even had a few snow days! Finding places to sled on campus and hanging out with friends during these days are just a few things I will always remember. 

What’s your major? 

I am double majoring in marketing and entrepreneurship and innovation.

What do you like about riding on the team? 

I look forward to competition days with my teammates. Our team always has great energy during meet days and seeing all my teammates’ hard work pay off after weeks of practice and workouts is really rewarding. I also really enjoy cheering on the Western girls when we have a moment to spare during meet days. Although I had no Western background knowledge before coming to TCU, it’s still really fun to cheer on my teammates. 

What part do you play on your school’s riding team?

I am on the hunt seat side and compete in fences and flat. We compete in equitation, which entails jumping fences. The other discipline is flat, which is riding your horse through many complex maneuvers.

What do you like the most about riding in college? 

My favorite part about riding in college is my teammates. My closest friends are on the team and I’m fortunate enough to live with three of them this fall. I hope these are relationships that I will keep and cherish for my entire life. 

When you visited TCU the first time, what did you think? 

The first time I visited TCU I was very nervous. I had never even been to Texas before touring TCU so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Everyone on campus was so nice and welcoming and even when we landed at DFW airport the people were friendly and welcoming. 

What are your goals for the future? 

To progress as a rider and as a student. This entails pushing myself in practice to be the best rider I can be and making the most of the quality education I have access to at TCU. 

What advice would you give to others who are looking to ride in college? 

The best advice I received while looking at colleges was to pick a school and atmosphere where you feel most at ease. If you are happy and comfortable, no matter what you’re trying to accomplish, you give yourself the best shot at success! 

Photos by Isabel J. Kurek, www.isabeljkurekphotography.com

Share this page:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Tagged under: Collegiate Equestrian, equestrian team, hunt seat on the flat, ncea

What you can read next

Steve Messenger: Immortalizing Horses Through Art
Shannagh-Leigh Hartshorn: Creating Art From Miniature to Life-Size
Debby Buck DeJonge: Writing Saved a Riding Life

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Stallion Gallery

Visit Stallion Gallery

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Joan MacNair Petty
    NC Realty, LLC NC Horse Farms and Homes Buying or Selling … Joan is in North Carolina and can help you with all your Real Estate needs. (919) 669-9877 joan.petty@me.com

    [Read more]

  • Allison Pras - Piney Glen Equine Rehabilitation
    Full Service Rehab Stable Heated barn, excellent footing Cameras, horse gym, Treadmill Laser, shockwave and more Colts Neck, NJ - 561-512-4022 Allison Pras - pineyglen1@aol.com Piney Glen is a full service Equine Rehabilitation stable that offers the best of care with A fully heated barn for the winter months,

    [Read more]

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • “Jump for the Children” Benefit Horse Show Celebrates 40 Years & Over $3 Million to Duke Children’s
  • Woodside Recognizes the Best in the West
  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Madison Tsakanikas: Turning Heart Horses Into Timeless Art
  • Mary Bess Davis: Her Rocky Road to the USA Eventing Nations Cup Team
  • Sarah Mills: Success From Scratch 

Category

Recent Posts

  • Madison Tsakanikas: Turning Heart Horses Into Timeless Art

    By Shya Beth There are so many things about bei...
  • Mary Bess Davis: Her Rocky Road to the USA Eventing Nations Cup Team

    By Helen Townes Portraits by Kacy Brown Eventer...
  • Sarah Mills: Success From Scratch 

    By Tori Kistler Portraits by Becky Henderson Gr...
  • Brianna Meighan: Embracing Her Role as a Pony Mom

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller T...
  • Charlotte Jorst: Working Hard at Living Her Best Life

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller C...

Copyright © 1987 - 2025  Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!