The team isn’t horsing around during competition season
The WVU English Equestrian team is a relaxed environment consisting of girls from all walks of life and horse riding experience. The team has 26 members, as well as several barn cats, dogs and a grumpy donkey named Woodrow. Practicing weekly at the WVU Reedsville Horse Farm in Reedsville, West Virginia, the girls and their horses are continuously showing improvement.
There are three levels of commitment on the WVU Equestrian team; members who casually ride a few times each semester, non-showing members and riders who practice with the team and ride frequently but don’t attend competitions. The highest level of commitment is the showing members who not only attend weekly practices but present their horses at shows. The shows are divided into classes. Based on performances at previous competitions, one member from each class is selected to earn points for their team. The WVU team rarely ride their own horse at competitions because riders are assigned a horse they have never ridden right before they go into the ring. Riders are given a briefing on the tendencies of their horse and how to best handle them. They are also informed of whether crops or spurs should be used. A crop is a whip made without a lash, which is the part of the whip that connects with the horses body. Spurs are metal loops attached the back of riding boots that help direct the horse.
The competition begins with jumping classes. Competitors are asked to complete several jumping patterns. A combination of jumps is given prior to the competition, and the riders are required to memorize it and execute it in the ring. The main riding portion of the competition is known as equitation classes. The riders and their horses all enter the ring at the same time, and wait for the judges to call “all riders trot” or “all riders reverse.” The riders all follow the command, and are judged simultaneously. There are several events in the equitation classes. New riders begin with the walk or trot class. As the riders continue to earn points, they are able to advance to more complex skills. At the end of the competitions, awards are presented. First place is awarded to the team and individual with the highest number of points. The number of points earned is tracked throughout the season, and is used to measure the skill level of each team. The WVU team is on track to continue a successful season, after a first place win at their first competition and a predicted first place finish at this weekend's competition.
In addition to their superior riding skills, the team is also adamant about team
bonding. They recently took a trip to Fright Farm and celebrated Halloween with
the horses, dressing them up in costumes. They also participate in little and
big siblings, also called barn buddies. In addition to team bonding exercises,
the WVU Equestrian team has weekly team workouts that bring the team closer together.
These workouts include yoga, swing dancing, rock climbing and other activities
offered at the Student Rec Center.
For more information about the WVU Equestrian Team, follow @wvuenglishequestrian
on Instagram.
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