Fresh from its trip to nationals, the UT Equestrian Team is saddling up to attract new members.
“You don’t have to have any experience,” said Caroline Thompson, team president. “We compete in all levels ranging from years of experience to none.”
Riders have at their disposal coaches that have years of experience in the horse show world. Jan McElroy coaches hunt seat equitation, and Roger and Sandra Elder are the western seat equitation coaches.
Since the equestrian team is a club sport, the coaches are not paid. In order to have their expertise, riders must pay a fee, which ranges from $250 to $350, for lessons.
The team practices twice a week, but most members practice more to keep up their competitive edge.
“All equestrian sports are under the same heading,” Thompson said. “We’re a co-ed club team, but we still ride against varsity teams. So, we’re pretty competitive.”
All interested riders should take note of the success of this year’s team. In fact, Joy Warren, a senior in public relations, qualified for the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Horse Show after taking second place in the novice equitation flat class at the Zone V Championships.
“The success we’ve had was expected, because all year we’ve been up with the top teams,” Thompson said. “It’s all a matter of the draw. If you get a good horse, you’ll do better.”
Due to the success, team members feel they are raising the bar.
“This is the first trip to nationals in four years,” Thompson said. “We deserve to go that far. I definitely think we’re raising the standard.”
Team members take with them memories and friendships after they leave the university.
“This team more than any other has come together to pass problems with dedication,” Thompson said. “With a lot of traveling, we’re away from our normal group of friends, but we’ve had a blast together.”
For anyone interested in the organization, the team will hold a meeting Thursday at 8 p.m. at Brehm Animal Science Building on the Agriculture Campus. Interested riders can also call Thompson at 455-7195.
