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Riding in College

3K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  natpav 
#1 ·
Hey Everyone!
I am wondering if anyone has info about riding in college. I am currently a sophomore in high school and would love to ride in college. I have been riding for around 9 years, and am currently jumping 18". I should be jumping 2 feet comfortably by the summer. I would be jumping higher but pre-jumping class that you need to start jumping lessons was always on weeknights which didn't work for my schedule for about 8 months. I ride at a small lesson barn, its county funded, and to the outside eye it might not be the best barn. My mom has offered to allow me to switch to a private schooling barn, but I love my motley crew way to much. I have a very strong seat, and strong equitation. I have had the opportunity to ride probably 50 different horses over the years. As I have gotten older I have stuck with one horse for a couple of months and helped teach and train them. I have worked with OTTB, unschooled Arabians, and lesson horses who need a little bit of cleaning up in the manners department. I am a very confident and gutsy rider, but I know when to not to push hard. My manager told me that I have a gift with horses, and that I have that "horsey" sense, but that Is something kind of hard to advertise until you see me ride. I don't just ride the horse, I ride and teach at the same time, I react instead of allowing, and know just how to behave around a certain temper. She also said that I have an eye for takeoffs for jumps, and working in unison with the horse.

I know I don't have the circuit experiences that some girls have, but I think the fact that I have worked around plenty of different horses, and am willing to get on a horse and ride like I have known them my whole life.

Here is a link of a critique picture of mine, I do have a scoliosis, just an FYI
http://www.horseforum.com/horse-riding-critique/critique-please-149129/

I would love any feedback and any info on riding in college

Thanks
 
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#2 ·
I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for, but I rode in college on an IHSA team (Western actually, but they are run similarly). I know that the English team was more of a time commitment than the Western team-- we only did once-a-week lessons and a few shows a semester. The cool thing is that at shows, competitors are not permitted to ride their own horses. That is, whoever is hosting organizes and supplies mounts for the day's classes. You are assigned a different horse for each class and literally meet them minutes before you enter the ring. It's an exciting challenge! :D

Check out the IHSA website for more information! About Us
 
#3 ·
I don't know where you are located but Olds College in Alberta offers an Equine Sciences program. There are three different majors (english horsemanship, western horsemanship, equestrian coaching and business management). All the students go through horsemanship and horse care classes then they break off into their designated majors. My friend took it so I don't really know all of the details but if you go to their website you can find out more. oldscollege.ca
 
#4 ·
IHSA is a blast. I did my last year of it last year. Every school will be different in how they run their programs but the shows generally run the same. The website existential posted is the official site and has lots of information, including schools that have IHSA teams. I feel like my riding has improved dramatically just in the last 4 years. Definitely don't feel like you won't be good enough, they have all levels from beginner walk trot all the way through open.
 
#5 ·
I'll be going to a college with an IHSA team this fall, and I just started jumping this past July. From what I've heard, you either love IHSA or you hate it. I'm hoping I'll love it!

I've also heard of a couple girls making videos, sending them in to colleges with equestrian teams, and getting scholarships for riding. I'm not exactly sure how that works, but that'd be pretty cool!
 
#6 ·
Thanks for all of the advice. It's nice to hear from others who have ridden in college. I would love to receive scholarship money for riding and academics. I am located in the States but would not eliminate college in Canada. I want to study veterinarian medicine so schools with equine science programs are great
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#10 ·
If you are interested in joining a college equestrian team, what I would do is compile a list of 5-10 universities you would be interested in attending that have a good veterinary program. Then I would look at the websites of those schools and determine which ones have equestrian teams, and whether they're NCAA (a bit more competitive) or IHSA. NCAA may be a bit tougher to get into--for instance, the local college here that has an NCAA team requires auditions, and probably 90% of the team members already have extensive experience competing in rated and/or breed shows. In other words, it's not impossible, but it's definitely tougher to get on an NCAA team than an IHSA team. Another option is to look at schools with polo teams.

I know this may sound like silly adult advice, but I highly, highly recommend choosing your university based on their academic programs. Try to get into the best school you can manage with whatever your grades might be. An equestrian or polo team should certainly factor into your decision, but it should absolutely be secondary.

And if you find a school that has a perfect veterinary program but doesn't offer a riding team of some kind? Go there anyway, find a local barn, and continue taking lessons.
 
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