So I’ve wanted for a long time to be on a division 1 or 2 NCAA equestrian team… but at this rate, I don’t know if I’ll get there. I’ve read that coaches want the students competing in the big eq to get on one of these teams, but I’m a high school sophomore and I’ve only competed up to 2’6. I’m wondering how likely it is that I could get on to one of these teams - should I just be looking into IHSA or division 3 instead? I do compete in IEA and I’m pretty decent - I’ve gone zones for my past divisions and I’m in the varsity intermediate (2’) right now… on track for 2’6 by senior year in IEA. But… I don’t think this is enough! Am I right? If you have any ideas on how I can get to the point that they want before college please let me know! I’m not someone who can afford the winter circuit either, which isn’t too helpful.
Unfortunately, you are right :(.
Those of us who were not fortunate enough to have a Junior career on the bigger circuits are generally not going to be looked at for an NCAA team.
But! IHSA is a great option for those looking to ride in college. It is extremely similar to IEA, so you would have an advantage there since it sounds like you have had some success in IEA so far. I do not mean to be a Debbie Downer, but realistically, it sounds like you would be much better suited to focusing your search to schools who have an IHSA team available.
It is also worth noting that some IHSA teams at bigger schools require members to do a try out, and unfortunately do often have to make cuts. However, some schools do not make cuts. This is something you should ask when you tour/talk to the coaches and advisers!
I do believe that the Division 1 & 2 schools are only taking riders with top eq results & mostly from top barns. Same as other college sports, football, swimming, baseball, etc. they recruit the top performers. They don’t usually pick kids that sport at the lower levels for top college sports. It’s very competitive.
But, that’s why colleges offer club sports. But, hey, even football has a walk-on tryout day. So, you never know. There is always that slim chance. If they offer try outs… go for it!
I think you’d have a great shot at making the team for IHSA. It’s a great venue for us mere mortals who don’t have the means to be competitive at the top levels, but still want to be competitive. I was on the IHSA team at Goucher College, it was quite competitive, and we had very nice horses to ride.
OP, if you need a scholarship to attend college, riding is probably not the way to get one based on where you are right now. If you want an equestrian experience as part of your college experience, that is a lot more do-able - whether it is NCEA or IHSA.
If you look at the NCEA rosters online, you see a lot more names than you ever hear about. I know one girl who rode on a varsity equestrian team without a massive junior career or big eq experience. She had done some hunters and eq up to about 3’, 3’3" but she did not have the extensive resume that most scholarship riders have. What she did have was a well connected trainer, and I believe it helped that the program she joined was just starting their varsity equestrian program.
I know a couple of other girls who were part of NCEA teams as in listed on the roster and trained as part of the team but never actually competed. That is a lot more realistic possibility - but is it what you really want?
Ask yourself the hard questions - do you want to be on a team, or do you want to ride and compete on a team? Are you willing to put in the work that is required to be on an NCEA team - workouts, extra study halls, etc.? Do you want to restrict your contact time with horses in order to stay within the regulations of NCEA? Do you have the academics to be recruited to and go to a DI or DII school? And, more importantly, do you have the money to pay for school?
If you just want to be on a team with probably no chance of actually competing, look into the NCEA teams and find out about walk on tryouts. You won’t get a scholarship (those are given to the kids they recruit) but you may get a spot on the team doing the grunt work but probably not actually showing.
If you want to be on a team and compete, look into schools with IHSA. The variety of levels offered at IHSA shows help those teams to be more inclusive and value riders with less experience at the top shows. Have you competed in a USEF recognized show? If not, you’re extra valuable due to your IEA experience and apparent skill (made it to zones). These teams may or may not have other requirements of their members - my team is required to work out a minimum of 3 days per week along with riding lessons. Team members do bond and you make lifelong friends this way. Some IHSA schools do offer scholarships for riding - you have to ask about their financials and what they can offer.
Both have lots to offer - don’t count one out because you are so focused on the other. At this point, there are only a handful of NCEA schools, but about 400 IHSA schools. Be very realistic about what you want out of school and choose wisely. And be sure you are choosing a school for the academics it can offer - riding can always be found!
Ok so I’m realizing now that I didn’t phrase my thing the best way possible - I am very fortunate with what I am able to do. My family could easily pay for college without scholarships, and I technically could afford Ocala or WEC but my parents aren’t horse people so it would take a lot of convincing from me and my trainer to get them to pay for it. I have discussed it with my trainer and it seems 3’ or 3’3" is realistic for my senior year or the summer of freshman year (college - my show age is younger than I am, yay!). But at the same time, I agree that it’s not an easy thing to do when you don’t grow up on the circuit. I don’t want to never compete, does anybody actually want that?? Really I’m just pretty conflicted with all of this, because I would ideally like to have a career with horses as a trainer or professional rider (again, I know, lofty dreams) and in that way, I want more than just the experience of riding in college. So, sorry for this little rant but I guess I just wanted to know if it seems like a possibility.
Ok so first of all I LOVE this reply… and second of all, ti seems like we’re on the same page! I love some of the schools that I’ve seen with IHSA! Sweet Briar College has an IHSA and an NCEA team which intrigues me…
I graduated from Sweet Briar 10 years ago, and I loved it! However, I highly recommend that you figure out what you want in a college (big or small, co-ed or single sex, rural or urban, etc) and narrow it down, as many colleges offer riding and a riding program. Sweet Briar does have a strong program, but the girls who only went there for the riding program dropped out pretty quickly. I went there because I loved the feel of the college and the campus, and I don’t regret my decision for a minute. In fact, in May I travelled 24 hours (not including layovers) from Australia to attend my 10 year college reunion. 
You are not out of luck. Look at some of the smaller schools. The NCEA teams need more riders than just the ones that compete. The girls that warm up the horses at each home meet are just as important as the competitors. Also in NCEA there are flat riders as well as over fences riders. If you have a good seat and can ride a random horse on what is pretty close to a dressage pattern accurately the experience in the Big Eq won’t matter. Some of the schools recruit riders for a specific discipline. Make your video with a good mix of both your over fences AND your flat abilities. Also it can help to attend one of the summer camps put on at the schools for potential riders. It will give you insight to the program, what is expected as well as a taste of life on that campus.
Don’t forget the rest of the attributes colleges are looking for. What are you planning to major in?
My sister went to a neighboring school to Sweet Briar. I also had an old friend who attended SB for their riding program. Same situation as you are in, it seems. Grew up riding and was a wonderful rider, but wasn’t in the HJ scene at the ‘preferred’ levels. I decided to compete as an individual with my personal horse through college and didn’t even attempt the Walk-On tryouts Texas A&M has. I had heard terrible stories of people being on the team but never seeing competition time due to their show record not being well known enough. Not that competition is what it’s all about, but if I’m going to spend my time and money on something, I would like to see some sort of return… While there is a small piece of me that thinks team competition would have been fun, overall I’m a quiet and very individual sports kind of person and am happy with my decision to finish out my last few years with my guy before I retired him.
I’m planning to major in business or economics with a minor in equine studies of some kind. I’m hoping to be able to apply the business aspect to running a barn (whether it’s owning a farm or being a trainer/barn manager). I’m a pretty good student so that doesn’t worry me as much as the riding aspect!!
That makes sense! I really want to find a way to do some team though, because it doesn’t seem like I’ll be able to lease in college.
Sounds like you have a good plan with your major. Knowing nothing of your financial situation, I would strongly suggest that you spend some time educating yourself on the costs of different schools and let that be a big factor in your choice as well. No matter where you start in the equine industry after college, it will likely be for low wages and if you graduate with a ton of student loan debt you will at best case struggle and at worst case, be forced out of the industry for financial reasons. It would be better to go to a school with a less well known team or even NO TEAM, but graduate debt free or with very minimal loans than go to an NCAA team and walk out with $80k in loans.
