Get Creative, Stand Out: How to Get Noticed by a Collegiate Equestrian Team

With the increase in availability of collegiate equestrian programs in North America, horses and college no longer need be mutually exclusive for many riders. Particularly for those without a horse, riding on a college team is a great opportunity to get plenty of saddle time in a competitive environment.
But participating, especially at the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (which is included under the NCAA umbrella) level that Division I and II schools offer, can be more challenging than simply walking on to the team.
Many riders spend their high school careers competing on the Big Eq circuit or otherwise on the A-circuit. These riders are able to turn their show experience into a highlight reel which is sent off to colleges in an effort to be recruited to the team. And while show experience is important – particularly for a team like the University of Georgia, which has claimed six National Championships since 2002 – it’s not necessarily the only thing that matters.
Meghan Boenig, the head coach for the NCEA team at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga., sees hundreds – if not thousands – of recruitment videos come across her desk each season, each one containing the resumé of another hopeful future equestrian star.
“Recruitment is getting very competitive,” Meghan said. “We’re almost recruiting two years out now via verbal commits and so on. So it’s true, riders do need to stand out to be noticed, but a lot of people forget about everything that happens outside of the horse show ring.”
Well-rounded is key, Meghan explains. That means grades and work ethic, too – sorry, kids, those grades do matter! “Sometimes it’s easy to forget about that part. But there is a lot that happens outside the ring that makes you a good teammate.”

“We want to see your absolute best riding – but we want good leaders and teammates, too.”

This should provide some comfort to riders who  may not have the means or access to show a lot through their high school years. What are some good ways to show off on your highlight reel, though?
“Change things up,” Meghan advises. “Beg, borrow, plead to ride different horses. It doesn’t have to be at a show – learning how to ride different horses is a skill that you should have regardless of whether or not it’s in a show environment. Establish great relationships at the barn, find a working student position – those opportunities to ride more will present themselves.”
Don’t be afraid to get creative – after all, everyone likes to see extra effort. See a clinic in your area but don’t have a horse to ride? Go and audit. Are there opportunities to volunteer at any shows? Sign yourself up. All of these little things will build your riding resume in addition to your skill in the saddle.
Think of your college team application as a job application – what are the best ways to set yourself apart from the next candidate who wants the position as badly as you? If you find yourself missing opportunities to ride horses other than your own, then move your jumps out to the field to practice something unfamiliar – this is an integral part of being a good catch rider (more on this in the August issue of Heels Down Magazine – stay tuned!).
So don’t despair if you’re not rocking it out on the A-circuit during your junior year of high school. To Meghan, it’s not just about the highlight reel. “We want to see your absolute best riding – but we want good leaders and teammates, too.”
Photography courtesy of Taylor Carman, UGA Athletics.