How do I apply to a team?

To become a member of the team, coaches need to access your academic and athletic abilities. Most universities have questionnaires to fill out along with a request for a resume of your riding history. Coaches would also like to see a video of your riding. Keep in mind your equitation/horsemanship. If possible, please show your abilities on more than one horse and give a brief description of the type of horse you are on so we can look at the video in light of your mount. Proper clothing is recommended – boots and breeches for English and jeans and boots for western.

If you have footage of past shows, please include some of that as well, but timelier video is preferred as well so coaches know what they are seeing is current and you are thinking about your horsemanship and equitation, not the hunters or jumpers or pleasure from a show.

Please contact the university(ies) in which you are interested in to meet individual requirements.

How should I contact the coaches?

You should call or email the schools in which you are interested in. Coaches may receive telephone calls from prospective student athletes at any time. However, coaches are not able to return phone calls to students prior to July 1st of their senior year in high school. Coaches are able to send out written information, including email, to students beginning September 1st of their junior year of high school.

In what events does Varsity Equestrian compete in?

We compete in Hunt Seat Equitation on the flat and over fences and western horsemanship and reining.

Do I need my own horse or equipment?

NO. The host school provides the horses and tack at each competition. Student athletes only need to bring apparel when traveling. At home, universities have their own horses in which athletes will use for practices.

How do I become eligible to become a student-athlete?

Any athlete who wishes to compete for an NCAA Division I or II equestrian team must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Are scholarships available?

YES! The NCAA allows a university a maximum of 15 full scholarships. However, how many scholarships are offered varies among universities. Equestrian is an equivalency sport, meaning scholarships may be divided up into partials or awarded in full. Each school’s process of awarding and accessing scholarships varies.

Will my winnings affect my amateur status?

Prior to enrollment at a university, winnings can not exceed the dollar value of actual expenses related to the competition. It is recommended that prospective students keep a record of expenses and winnings for specific shows. During college, no prize money is allowed to be received. Teaching lessons does not affect your amateur status with the NCAA as long as payment was comparable to the going rate. It is important to note that amateur status for the NCAA differs from that of the AQHA and USEF.