#collegiateequestrian

When I was in my junior years of riding something I always went back and forth about was if I wanted to ride in college.  I heard positive and negative things about riding in college.  I can say that I am glad that I chose to do and also I am not glad that I chose to do it.  Heres why!

I am glad I chose to pursue a spot on an NCAA equestrian team. I never had an interest in IHSA because frankly I didn’t want to be plodding around on some one eyed pony jumping 18 inches.  I came to realize, top IHSA teams are far from this but also not really and maybe I should have given it a chance.  Anyway, I digress, I was still on the fence about riding in college so my mom and I took a trip to Waco, TX to watch the Championships.  After that weekend I came away confident that I could be and compete on an NCAA team.  So the process started, and a long process it was.  

My mom and I go footage together and she made me a video to send to colleges. One mistake I made was being selective and not sending my video to every team.  Even if you think you don't have interest send a video anyway.  I was not aggressively recruited because at the time I did not ride with a BNT or have any kind of name.  So I marketed myself, I did everything in my power to secure myself a spot on a team. I sent in videos and went to clinics if they were offered and that is exactly how I got my spot.  I was told at one of the clinics that I had a spot on the team if I wanted it. That day was a highlight because it not only confirmed that I was talented enough to do this but that other people saw it as well. 

I am not ashamed to say only one college recruited me to be on their team.  One thing I can say I wish I did was make another video.  After my first year of having a real equitation horse my career bloomed.  I had a nice horse, not a spectacular horse.  I had to work to further my career.  I rode with local trainers up until my last year and I took care of my own horses until my last year.  I should have made another video highlighting my success when I was lucky enough to ride with a BNT. Also, it never hurts to ask if that BNT can call and “put in a good word” for you with that coach.  I did neither of these things and regret it.  But how I think about it is I ended up where I was supposed to be! :)

If someone has questions about college riding feel free to ask me. I would love to answer any and everything anyone wants to ask. I am honest and won't sell you something I don't believe in.