Western Equestrian Team
Join the Team!
At the start of each new season we welcome new and returning members with a pre-season informational meeting. During this meeting we will discuss what is needed to get started as a Kent State Western Equestrian as well as outline what our season will look like. This is a great time for riders to ask any questions, schedule evaluation rides if they have not already done so, and get acquainted with their new team members. The meeting will take place at Flying K Horses and will be held after the Blastoff event on campus and before the first show. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page as well as under the announcements box on the home page for the date and time of our pre-season meeting.
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There are several forms new riders will need to fill out for both Kent State and IHSA. Those forms are attached under the "Forms" tab. New riders will need to register as a member of the IHSA before the start of the competition season if they are planning to show. We also ask anyone who wishes to join the team or is a new member who has already joined to complete the recruitment form. Completion of this form will give our coach a better understanding of your riding ability and experience. The recruitment form in linked below. After submitting the form, our coach will get in touch with you to answer any questions and get a meeting scheduled.
At the beginning of each season, new riders will complete a member placement form from the IHSA as well as schedule an evaluation ride with our coach. The information provided on the form as well as the evaluation ride will help the coach place each new rider in the most appropriate division for competition.
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Riders of all knowledge and experience levels are welcome to join the team! IHSA offers competition classes for beginner walk/trot riders all the way up to reining and ranch riding. The team is able to accommodate each rider in their respective division and our main goal is to help each rider excel and enjoy their show experience. All riders competing in the western discipline will compete in horsemanship, which if you are unfamiliar, is defined as "the correctness of the rider's seat, hands and feet, the finesse in riding, and the strength of his or her lines and angles as the competitor rides a series of maneuvers in a 30- to 60-second pattern"(AQHA). IHSA has riders compete in horsemanship on the rail as well as in a pattern class. Each rider will compete in a minimum of two classes at a show and a maximum of four classes, depending on their division placement (Rookie riders will compete in one horsemanship class at the AM show and one at the PM show where a Level II Rider can compete in ranch and one horsemanship class in the AM show as well in the PM show).
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If you think our team would be a good fit for you, please fill out the recruitment form and contact us with any questions you may have! Once you have committed to the team you will be added to our team Groupme so you can receive all updates and information.
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For questions regarding the Kent State paperwork and what is required by the university, please contact our team president Zoe Deems.
For questions regarding the IHSA paperwork, evaluation ride scheduling, lessons, etc. please contact our coach Emily Lizer.
*Contact information can be found under the "Contact" tab.
