So I have a few questions about riding in college and NCEA vs IHSA etc. I started creating an account on NCAA but then started wondering how difficult it actually is to be even considered, if its actually worth taking the time, how much riding time people usually get in college etc. I’m a high school junior currently and have a good GPA right now, have taken some AP classes and gotten A’s and scored well on the exams, plan to take the ACT/SAT multiple times this spring/summer until I get a relatively high score, etc. But do they actually consider academic achievements all that much for NCAA equestrian recruitment and full or partial scholarships? (The NCAA schools with equestrian teams I’m most interested in right now are Baylor, UC Davis, Texas A&M). I’ve shown on and off again in the 3’3" and 3’6" hunters and eq a little bit, but never very consistently due to horse lameness problems, my older horse stepping down, trainer and barn drama, lack of showing opportunities in my zone, etc and am planning to hopefully move back into the 3’6" eq with a green horse I’ve been showing by the middle of this season. Would trying to get recruited even be worth it with that little consistent 3’6" showing on my resume even assuming I did manage to qualify for any national big eq finals this year which is in no way a given or even likely? Also, are things like the pre collegiate camps offered by the colleges and things like that CPI horse show beneficial to riders considering being on a team in college? Any feedback on these questions and college riding in general would be greatly appreciated, thanks everyone!
I had a similar discussion with one of the kids at my barn recently. Granted she’s competing in the 3’ eq, but she was talking about how she wanted to go to Auburn so that she could be on the team with Taylor St. Jacques and McKayla Langmeier and the other big eq riders. While I was happy for her that she has such big goals, I think the understanding was missing that in order to make those teams, you have to be playing at that level. There is a lot of recruiting that goes on and not a lot of walk-on spots. From what I’ve learned from college recruiting, if you’re being recruited, the riding will come first and grades will be secondary. A lot of strings can be pulled if coaches really want someone. That said, you do still have time to get yourself there if this is what you really want.
IHSA is certainly no less prestigious than NCEA, especially if you’re competing at the Open level and can qualify for the Cacchione Cup. A lot of the IHSA coaches are at events like CPI. I was able to go the January CPI and coaches from all of the top IHSA colleges were there. I would also look into the Equestrian Talent Search clinics, as those can also give valuable experience and your profile still gets sent out to the top coaches. Going to camps and admissions events are also very helpful. If you find a college you’re interested in, with a team you like, a lot of coaches appreciate when prospective students reach out and let them know they’re interested. That way, you’ll be on their radar and they may be able to vouch for you some during the admissions process.
I currently work at a university that has both types of programs. They are very different in their demands on the student athletes. NCEA riders are treated like other varsity/NCAA athletes - with all the rules, structure, and time demands that come along with that. IHSA riders at most (though not all) schools are more like club sport athletes - much fewer time demands. As others have mentioned NCEA riders in the top programs are recruited; IHSA clubs/teams typically have more of a “come one, come all” philosophy. In my opinion, neither is “better” than the other, but which one is best for you will depend on what type of college experience you are looking for/need.
I’d urge you, if possible, to try to spectate at both types of events at the schools/areas you’re considering. Try to find time, probably separately from horse show days ;), to talk with people who are currently (or were, in the recent past) participating in the programs. Ask about their ability to balance the team with their school duties, outside life, etc. Ask what they’d do the same or differently if given another opportunity. The more information you have, the better prepared you will be to make a good decision.
There are some very informative podcasts from which I learned a lot. Google The Plaidcast. It’s a part of the Plaid Horse and Piper Klemm hosts the podcasts. I think I heard the guest say that for every NCEA team, schools receive 300 videos for 15-20 spots. And guessing Auburn, Georgia, etc are the most sought after. The guest discusses all the NCEA teams and talks about the competitions. Very informative for those of us who don’t know the landscape.
I know a girl who was a varsity equestrian at an NCEA school who did not have a super impressive resume from her pre-college years - she had fairly average experience up to 3’ and a little at 3’3" - but not much. I think the key for her was targeting a program that was just establishing its NCEA program. She competed as a point rider in some meets early on but not as often in her later years. I do know she particpated in the training (on and off the horses), travelled to away meets and championships, and got all the swag.
I know one other girl who was listed on the Baylor roster whose prior experience was mostly eventing (up to Training level) - she may have gotten a little scholarship money, but she never competed as a point rider.
The NCEA teams seem to carry way more riders on their rosters than realistically have a chance at competing for the team. I don’t know how many get full scholarships, how many get partials, how many get just enough $ to say they are on scholarship. I assume that every rider who is on the roster could potentially earn a competition spot, but unless a rider really is phenomenally talented, I would not expect her to catch up to one with an extensive successful resume at the junior level.
One of the most important things to ask is how often each rider is actually showing. The NCEA competitions have limited numbers of rides at each show and the top riders will generally be the ones taking those slots. IHSA shows have varying numbers of rides and encompass all levels. Depending on your experience prior to college, you may enter IHSA in a lower division than you think and therefore be very valuable to your team as a point rider.
The NCEA programs offer the swag - lots of free equipment that gets used for a year and then replaced by the next season’s style - but most of those riders aren’t on scholarships. Each school only has X amount of money for scholarships and they are going to use it on the riders they are recruiting hard. Those are the kids who are placing at the top shows in the big eq classes. Some IHSA schools offer scholarships - ask and see what is out there.
I can’t speak to the NCAA recruitment process, but a few other points to consider here.
Would an athletic scholarship make a big difference in the affordability of school or the debt load you will carry after graduation? If the answer is yes, then that might make it more worthwhile to try to get recruited to an NCAA team. If it doesn’t, then you may want to think about the schools that are the best academic match with your career goals. The great thing about IHSA is that you can do it basically anywhere, and you can compete all the way up through nationals as an individual, even if your team is not a powerhouse. I went to a top academic school, and rode in the IHSA, and it was great.
Do you really want that varsity athlete experience? As others have noted, the NCAA programs wrap you up in full athlete treatment, and let you compete against the best of the best–and that’s a real draw for some riders. But it can also be a bit limiting. You may not be able to take all the classes you want because they conflict with practice schedule, for example.
I think if you want a more academically focused college experience, where you still get to ride and compete, IHSA is a terrific program. But I do think the NCAA experience is special, and you really are competing against the top college athletes in your sport. And I do get that free or discounted college can be a big draw.
Being an NCAA athlete is definitely a cool thing.
Something to consider though - how okay would you be with NOT making the starting lineup? 100% okay? Or do you think you’ll find it increasingly frustrating? Be honest with yourself.
The truth is, if you can halfway ride, you could probably find a spot somewhere. You probably won’t get much in the way of scholarship, at first, at least. And you may never show.
Be be honest with yourself.
Because if you aren’t 100% okay with the possibility of never showing, you will have a MISERABLE time on an NCEA team.
Im not going to list my bonafides here, but if you have questions about the NCEA experience (which is FANTASTIC for the right type of rider), feel free to PM me.
Might have been different in the past but know 3 NCAA full ride scholarship holders currently at two top schools and they were actively recruited, were all Big Eq successes and also had academic chops. One had offers from several schools, don’t know the others well enough to speak to that.
IHSA is probably a miore realistic goal but, overall, going to a college because you want to ride and expect to be able to is not the best way to approach it. There are many threads about college programs good bad and ugly, you should search them and take a look.
Riding in in general is often not as much fun if you HAVE to ride, can’t make your own choices in horse or trainer and are expected to meet expectations and produce results. Some programs are great, others not so much, most a little of each. So hit the books and devote time to a career that will let you have your own horses and do as you please with them. You can always ride on the side for yourself too, even if it’s only lessons you can pick the barn and trainer.
