An equestrian, according to “Webster’s Dictionary,” is defined as “one who rides on horseback; a horseman; a rider.” Although it may not be widely known, equestrian is a growing club sport at UCSD.
“I was told that we didn’t have an equestrian team when I first got here,” senior co-captain Kate McComas said. “Now we try to get the word out to everyone, and not everyone knows that it takes a lot of training and dedication.”
Expanding since 1993, the equestrian team now has more than 30 members, 28 of whom compete.
Riders participate in shows in both the Western and English styles of riding. Members compete in different classes, ranging from the walk trot/basic horsemanship level to the open classes for the most advanced riders.
Last year, the equestrian team sent three riders, graduate Linda Torres, senior Shannon Ward and senior Marce Evans to the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association 2004 National Horse Show in Murfeesborough, Tenn. Torres took third place and Ward placed ninth in their respective divisions.
This year the team includes five members who have never been on a horse before.
“We are very accommodating to people who have never ridden before,” McComas said.
Riders are not required to own their own horses; in fact, riders at IHSA shows draw lots for which horse they will compete on out of all of the horses brought by competing schools. This makes the competition more fair and provides an inexpensive way for college students to ride and show.
“It is a challenge to get on another person’s horse that I have never been on before,” said sophomore Kalle Larson, a new team member. “It really shows how good of a rider you are.”
The UCSD team practices on horses that the trainers or coaches own.
“It is in your favor to know all the UCSD horses because you aren’t allowed to warm up with the horse — you get on and are immediately judged,” McComas said.
For this and other reasons, McComas classifies equestrian events as high-risk sports.
“It is a big animal that easily outweighs you, and you are relying on someone else to know that is going to be OK,” McComas said. Thankfully, the team has not had any injuries this year.
“The team horses are phenomenal, and we create really strong bonds with the horses,” McComas said.
The equestrian team recently acquired a new facility, the Ridgemar Equestrian Center in Del Mar. The team officially moved this year to the smaller facility.
“Ridgemar is wonderful, quiet and very receptive to having a team there,” McComas said. “[Horsepark, our old facility,] was convenient, but large and [it was] hard to get stuff done.”
At its new facility, the equestrian team will host their first English show on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.
“We really would love people to come out and watch,” McComas said.
