NCAA Drops Equestrian As "Emerging Sport" - What Now?

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=findeight;7815277]
Small point, I do know some farmers and they have college degrees from state schools partially funded by academic and farm association scholarships…and they read Milton and Shakespeare at their various flyover country Midwest schools. One has only classical music in his big cab that operates various implements. Go figure…=[/QUOTE]

Not to mention, what feeds more people, running a farm or reading Milton? (As mentioned, I went to W&L, ergo not overly impressed with the actual Ivy League. Especially after living near Harvard.)

(And no, W&L never gave equestrian scholarships, but unless they’ve changed since I graduated, they don’t give any athletic scholarships at all. Fifty or sixty years before I went there they had to expel half the football team for academic cheating and that was the end of paying people for athletics. It’s one of the few non-military schools that means it when they say you cheat, you’re gone, end of discussion.)

[TSWJB]

[QUOTE=Groom&Taxi;7812364]

In a nutshell: if I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t. Is it worth making it a goal? No. Are you better off riding on your own given the chance? Absolutely. Should it be an NCAA sport? Debatable, don’t really care. Are equestrian athletes generally smarter than other sports? Absolutely.[/QUOTE]
I am just curious about why you didn’t like riding on the team? It seems like a full scholarship would make it a pretty sweet deal! Why would riding on your own be better? Did they require too much practice time taking away from your college experience?

[TSWJB]

I am not surprised that the NCAA would recommend gettjng rid of equestrian sports. It’s basically not fair! The kids that get on the teams are the ones show at A rated shows doing things like medal maclay. It costs alot of money to participate in the big EQ at a local level, let alone have the financial means to buy or lease a horse good enough to put youn in a top slot at the finals. Those top horses in the finals are not being made up by some kid buying a 10k dollar horse and bringing it along. It takes serious money to get yourself mounted on something to get you noticed. And that is where they recruit. I have sat behind the recruiters at medal finals. They are not interested in the little guy. They followed the order of go list and got up for something to eat when the little guy came on deck.
I know someone who took their college money from their grandparents and gambled it on a horse to be competitive telling their parents that she would get a scholarship. She did and it worked for her but I don’t think this is right. Because so many things could have gone wrong! But it really was the only wag to get noticed. She was not going to get noticed on lesser horses.
You can be extremely talented, but if you do not have the horse you are going no where. But other sports like soccer you can practice practice practice and with talent possibly make a name for yourself and get a scholarship.
I think the NCAA for equestrian is too elitist for the average American student and I totally seee why they would rather offer other sports that would give students an equal chance in trying out for a scholarship.

[Buffalo_Hunter]

Here is a link to the Equity in Athletics Report for KSU 2013/14
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ksu/genrel/auto_pdf/2013-14/misc_non_event/2012-13EADAReport.pdf

On page 3, the report state KSU has 53 athletes in equestrian (page 3) . Title IX is concerned with equal opportunity (number of participants) not the expenditure on the sport. However, if you look on page 12, the cost per athlete is only $8,516 which is not expensive on a per participant basis compared to other sports.

The issue is equestrian has not reach the number of participating schools to have a championship tournament which requires 40 schools according the NCAA bylaws. It looks like KSU has decided to add a women’s sport which has a NCAA championship tournament. The two logical choices are either Lacrosse or Soccer. KSU needs to replace the 53 participants with 53 participants in another sport to stay in compliance with Title IX.

Depending on the travel schedule for the women’s soccer team, KSU may actually spend more for soccer than equestrian. I do not think the issue for KSU revolves around money, but focuses on NCAA Championship sports. That is probably the goal here.

It is unfortunate for the athletes in the program, but for KSU, it probably makes sense. For the athletes, they can remain at KSU because of the academics or they can decide to transfer to ride some place else on hardship and not lose eligibility.

The larger issue of the role of NCAA on collegiate athletics is worth a whole shelf of books in a library. You can see on the KSU report, athletic scholarships equate to about 10% of the budget. That number actually declines as the programs make more and more money. If you look at Penn State, Ohio State, etc, there budgets are well north of $100mm per annum. The scholarships remain about 10% or less and the extra revenue goes into facilities and coaches salaries, AD salaries etc. In most cases, zero goes to general student body. (Notre Dame being an exception). I would not give to a charity where only 10% of revenue goes to the target(student athletes), so NCAA does need to change.

For the two money generators (men’s football and basketball), education takes a back seat to television revenue. With games on Thursday nights for some schools, travel, bowl series, championships series, it is amazing the students can even maintain passing grades with a minimum load.

[Tha_Ridge]

[QUOTE=TSWJB;7823635]
I am just curious about why you didn’t like riding on the team? It seems like a full scholarship would make it a pretty sweet deal! Why would riding on your own be better? Did they require too much practice time taking away from your college experience?[/QUOTE]

It was me who you quoted, so I assume you’re asking me. Sure, a full scholarship is great, but few, if any, schools still give full scholarships. I think I could have had a more rewarding college experience going elsewhere and not choosing a school (mostly) because of the opportunity to go for free and ride.

So, if you’re looking at a partial scholarship, I simply don’t think it’s the best way to ride in college. It can be fun, but if you really actually want to advance your riding, there are better ways to do it. The horses are not all that nice (in some cases), the coaching isn’t what most riders are used to, and as you said, only the “big names” really reap the benefits – but funnily enough, most of them are the ones who still show at WEF and indoors and don’t even need the scholarship money.

If you can make up the scholarship money in another way and spend your time riding elsewhere, that’s what I’d recommend. I just think there’s become too much emphasis on high school girls choosing their school based on the team rather than the actual academic and social fit of the school.

[TSWJB]

Yeah it’s weird! I quoted you and something else popped up. I didn’t type that name!
Makes sense what you are saying. Kind of stinks to pick a school based on it has a riding team!

[TSWJB]

Yeah it’s weird! I quoted you and something else popped up. I didn’t type that name!
Makes sense what you are saying. Kind of stinks to pick a school based on it has a riding team!

[ECMSD]

Quick note: Not all NCAA athletes showed at WEF/ Eq Finals before college. I worked every weekend to help pay for my lessons and showing. Showed at maybe 2 “A” shows a year, while only placing at the small ones. I didn’t have an expensive horse, just leased. You can bet I worked all day, all night to get my name out there. I practiced and made videos of me on tons of different clients’ horses and lesson horses to show coaches my versatility. Even ponies! Definitely not expensive show horses. My parents still paid for 99% of my riding but I did what I could to help.

I put in the work and it paid off without having to show at a finals. I still was able to get an almost full athletic scholarship, compete and be 2 year captain of my team. For people like me who did have to work hard and put in the effort to pay for my riding, the team really was a life savior for me. I would not have been able to afford my top college choice without NCAA Equestrian, let alone ride. I know there are other people out there like me. For that, I am forever grateful. Now, I know this isn’t the “norm” but it does happen.

The way I see it NCAA should be the elite. You don’t see North Carolina Soccer recruiting lower level players, you don’t see Alabama recruit football players who played JV Football. Kentucky goes after the top basketball recruits. It happens, thats how schools become to best…recruit the best. Why should Equestrian be different? Plus not everyone that can afford an expensive horse can ride a difficult horse. While some NCAA Equestrian athletes choose based on team, many choose schools on academics as well. How is that different than other other athlete in any other sport?

Another thing about being NCAA sanctioned that was cool and a few people have mentioned already was the respect you received as an equestrian. Before college, I didn’t get the respect that I thought Equestrian athletes deserved. After being an NCAA student athlete who has to do all of the same things as every other sport (workouts, study hall, life skills seminars, etc), our team was able to earn respect from other students, athletes, professors, coaches, parents and bosses. Can’t take away that respect I was able to earn that I know a club or even IHSA team doesn’t always receive.

In all, not every NCAA student-athlete is rich and can afford to ride on their own. For me, riding in college allowed me to continue my passion which on my own, I could not do.

P.s. This wasn’t 10 years ago, it was 5 months ago

[leyla25]

What an eloquent, and grateful post! I’m sure with your attitude you will do well in whatever field you choose. I will definitely hire you.

[adcurtiss]

That was a wonderfully written post. Glad that the program worked so well for you I hope that it can continue to do the same for others.

[adcurtiss]

Just adding that the creator of the petition sent an email out to those who signed saying the NCAA tabled the discussion until spring. Not sure how reliable this information is, but thought I’d put it out here.

[rockonxox]

I haven’t read through everything but here is my two cents. First off GO WILDCATS (K-State Alum here). However, my first semester I chose a school with an intercollegiate team out of state so I could get a scholarship (not equestrian based). I loved that I could bring my boy with me and there were all levels of riders who were equally important on the team.

I don’t know how things are for the NCAA/NCEA teams, but from what I’ve heard they are inclusive and not always welcoming. I was on a “club” team in Missouri and also grew up helping out the Mt. Holyoke Intercollegiate Equestrian Team as a kid and had nothing but fond memories. Just because NCAA drops the sport doesn’t mean it can’t go back to a “club” format. A lot of schools still do things that way. Sure your scholarships are gone but it wasn’t much more expensive than other clubs (at least where I went) and you didn’t have to have your own horse. Our requirements were to take a certain number of equine classes per semester, including one class which was a team practice, attend regular team practices that weren’t part of scheduled classes, and go to club meetings. Just because there isn’t NCAA recognition doesn’t mean horses can’t be a part of college through the IHSA.

[adcurtiss]

UT Martin has released that they will discontinue their equestrian team
http://www.utmsports.com/story/7736

[dodedo]

[QUOTE=adcurtiss;7863006]
UT Martin has released that they will
discontinue their equestrian team
http://www.utmsports.com/story/7736[/QUOTE]

So what does this say about NCEA leadership when the coach of this team is also President of the NCEA?
Not influential enough to keep her own institution on board with support, bodes hopeless for the rest.

Have to wonder.
Very very sad.

Equestrian is an Olympic Sport and here in the US they want to toss it from being respected enough to remain as an NCAA recognized Woman’s sport?

Tragic.

Most of these women athletes respectfully graduate (not freebie grades either) and go on to become productive citizens that contribute to society.

Much unlike some of these star athletes from other meathead sports that are given free rides with grades even though some of them can’t count to 100 after graduation and will be out on the streets selling crack if they don’t get lucky, stay athletically sound, and get into professional sports.
Or they end up in jail where the girls that have worked to get degrees and careers will have their tax dollars supporting these “athletes” that have grunted their way through school.

It’s garbage. It’s a travesty.

Hopefully it isn’t too late to step back, have a strong leader take the reins, do a better job for the future of this sport and maybe salvage it?
Is that even possible?
Is it about $???

Up and coming girls that have career aspirations and want to keep riding while they work their brains and apply themselves for their future, surely some are from very powerful and influential families…but then again, they don’t need a college team to keep their daughters riding. Ugh. As opposed to many 4 letter words that apply to this whole ordeal.

Rant over.

Now to all of the wonderful girls that have been living their dreams or dreaming of signing in the future, I am so very sorry for your loss.
I am sorry for all of us, past, present, and future supporters of a sport that is way worthy.
Press on with what is important in the end. That is your future careers and productive lives ahead.
So sorry that politics have let you down…

[Dewey]

@dodedo;7863425

Most of these women athletes respectfully graduate (not freebie grades either) and go on to become productive citizens that contribute to society.

Much unlike some of these star athletes from other meathead sports that are given free rides with grades even though some of them can’t count to 100 after graduation and will be out on the streets selling crack if they don’t get lucky, stay athletically sound, and get into professional sports.
Or they end up in jail where the girls that have worked to get degrees and careers will have their tax dollars supporting these “athletes” that have grunted their way through school.

Is it about $???

Just need to respond to a few of your comments–I know you’re upset, but I think your anger is misplaced. As someone who loves horses and would love to promote our sport, I have struggled with its reputation as an elite pastime of the upper classes, and your post only feeds into that. You assume that all these riders are better students and more deserving than other athletes? Really? What are you basing these assumptions on?

“Meathead” sports? Really? I love equestrian sports as much as anyone, and I’m really sorry that things are taking this turn with the NCAA, but I really question whether referring to other women athletes in this way is productive or even accurate. At the institution where I teach, the sports teams with the highest GPA are women’s tennis and soccer, and all the women’s teams are holding their own academically. Your tone is offensive, especially considering the struggles women have had over the years to have scholarship opportunities and to be taken seriously as athletes. If you are referring to men, a lot of them are very hard workers as well and are taking their education quite seriously. A lot of male scholarship student-athletes are toiling in sports like wrestling, swimming, and tennis. Very few will make it as pros, and they work hard and are as deserving as a group as riders are. And guess what? Their scholarships, gym equipment, coaches’ salaries, and travel budgets are bankrolled by the money sports–yes, those “meathead” sports of basketball and football.

Do you know how Title IX works? I would venture to guess that Equestrian is being dropped because it’s extremely expensive, and those scholarships can be offered to other women in sports that are easier to finance. Everyone who rides knows how expensive it is.

[dodedo]

[QUOTE=Dewey;7864114]
Just need to respond to a few of your comments–I know you’re upset, but I think your anger is misplaced. As someone who loves horses and would love to promote our sport, I have struggled with its reputation as an elite pastime of the upper classes, and your post only feeds into that. You assume that all these riders are better students and more deserving than other athletes? Really? What are you basing these assumptions on?

“Meathead” sports? Really? I love equestrian sports as much as anyone, and I’m really sorry that things are taking this turn with the NCAA, but I really question whether referring to other women athletes in this way is productive or even accurate. At the institution where I teach, the sports teams with the highest GPA are women’s tennis and soccer, and all the women’s teams are holding their own academically. Your tone is offensive, especially considering the struggles women have had over the years to have scholarship opportunities and to be taken seriously as athletes. If you are referring to men, a lot of them are very hard workers as well and are taking their education quite seriously. A lot of male scholarship student-athletes are toiling in sports like wrestling, swimming, and tennis. Very few will make it as pros, and they work hard and are as deserving as a group as riders are. And guess what? Their scholarships, gym equipment, coaches’ salaries, and travel budgets are bankrolled by the money sports–yes, those “meathead” sports of basketball and football.

Do you know how Title IX works? I would venture to guess that Equestrian is being dropped because it’s extremely expensive, and those scholarships can be offered to other women in sports that are easier to finance. Everyone who rides knows how expensive it is.[/QUOTE]

Sadly you read and assumed too much into my admitted rant.
That is the risk in how people interpret others writings…
Not saying Eq girls are more deserving but I would be willing to place a large bet that if GPAs were looked at these girls would be well above. I would also be willing to bet that collectively the Eq teams GPAs will be higher than GPAs than the majority of the other sports.
Also, I wasn’t referring to women’s sports with my meathead comment. Not at all. I believe women get the short end of the stick.
Not sure if uT Martin has women’s soccer or tennis. If they do, I am sure the GPAs would be high there too.

[Spotted_Pony]

There are other considerations when it looks like it is probably just a delay in NCAA canceling recognition of Equestrian. A small school like UTM has the minimum number of sports to be Division I. If they are not proactive they could possibly lose that designation for all sports.