Frequently Asked Questions
How do I join?
The best time to join is at the beginning of the school year, at our interest / info meeting. If you missed the info meeting, there is a lower chance that we will be able to fit you into a lesson group, but we strongly encourage you to still reach out to us at eqteam@umn.edu.
Who can join?
We try our best to take everyone with interest, regardless of riding background. Unfortunately, our team has a limited number of resources and we aren’t able to take everyone, especially at the beginner level.
We are a co-ed team. We also take grad students & students from other universities within the Twin Cities area. IHSA does not allow grad students to compete and only UMN undergrads can run for a board position.
How much time will the team take?
We ask that each of our members participate in weekly lessons, which usually takes 3-4 hours (including drive time). We have whole team meetings on various Thursday evenings throughout the semester. We also have a few fundraising events throughout the year and around 4 IHSA shows each year, which run on the weekends.
What are the costs associated with the team?
Lessons are $55 per lesson for the hunt seat team and $185 per month for the western team. We also split gas money for our carpool drivers, which is usually around $20 per month. Show prices can vary based on our funding for the year, but we typically try to keep pricing around $100-$250. IHSA also has a yearly membership fee of $45.
What gear do I need?
Both teams have slightly different ideal outfits:
For the English Team: You will need a boot with a small heel, riding pants, and a riding helmet. Riding pants can be substituted with leggings or jeans and our coach has extra helmets that are available for use.
For the Western Team: You will a boot with a small heel and jeans. Jeans can be substituted with riding pants or leggings.
The boot with a small heel is an essential safety item and cannot be substituted with tennis shoes/sneakers or other types of shoes. Open toed shoes are also not allowed in the barn. If you do not have anything that might work, let us know.
Where are the barns and how do we get there?
The English Team rides at Windfall Equestrian Center and the Western Team rides at Little Lanoux Stables, which are both located roughly 30 minutes east of campus. We typically carpool out to the barns with other team members from a central point on campus (usually on East Bank).
What are tryouts like?
They run similar to your typical riding lesson, but with less direction. It is a way for the coaches to see you ride and meet you, so that we are able to evaluate your compatibility with the team and place you in lesson groups. You should not stress too much about tryouts.
Do I need my own horse?
No! Our coaches provide the horses we ride during lessons. At shows, we ride horses owned by the home team.
How do IHSA shows work?
We will leave campus early and drive to one of our opposing schools (UMC, NDSU, or UWRF). While we are watching the horses warm up, our coach and team captain will attend the coach’s meeting and horse draw. From there, classes will run from more advanced classes to more beginner classes. Once the show finishes and we have collected our ribbons, we either head to a hotel or back to campus and do it all again the next day.
What level will I ride / show at?
Our coaches will have you ride at whatever level you are comfortable at in lessons. At shows, the class you compete in is determined by a placement test put out by IHSA that you will likely take in the beginning of the year.