About Us

The Grand Valley State Equestrian Teams are a member of Zone 6, Region 4 in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). We actively compete against Adrian College, Albion College, Calvin College, Central Michigan University, Ferris State University, Hillsdale College, Michigan State University, Oakland University, Saginaw Valley State University, University of Michigan, University of Western Ontario, and Western Michigan University. Our teams currently have nearly fifty members competing between either hunt, western, or both disciplines.

We are a club sport at Grand Valley State University. We are not only a competitive group but a group of horse lovers as well. Team activities include competing at IHSA horse shows, group fundraisers, team dinners, etc. We are open to riders of all experience levels - from national competitors to beginners who want to learn more about the sport.

We compete through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association's (IHSA) horse shows in both the Fall and Winter semesters.  We attend shows, take lessons and participate in other team activities.  At IHSA shows the two teams compete in both Hunt Seat (English) and Stock Seat (Western).  Each semester we travel to shows hosted by other colleges throughout Michigan.  The hosting college provides the horses; therefore you do not need your own horse to be a member of the team.  As a rider, you are placed into a level that you compete in based on your experience.  Levels range from walk-trot, for people who have hardly ridden, to open, for those who are highly experienced. Hunt shows offer hunt seat equitation and equitation over fences, and stock shows offer horsemanship and reining classes.

The GVSU Equestrian Team is open to all full-time Grand Valley students who are interested in learning more about horses and riding. We welcome members of all experience levels. Members are not required to compete but may do so as a team member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

Because we are a club sport at GVSU there are no try-outs for the team. However, a simple evaluation ride is required so that the coaches can place you in the proper division for showing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my own horse to be able to join?
No. In fact, the majority of our team members do not own their own horses. We take lessons on school horses provided by our coaches. At shows, the host school provides the horses.

Do I need to have riding experience in order to join?
No, we have riders on the team from various disciplines and with a wide range of riding backgrounds. Everyone is welcome to join the team, regardless of their knowledge and experience with horses. When it comes to showing, the IHSA offers classes that start with walk-trot/beginner and go on up to open.

How much does it cost to join the team?
Team dues are $120 a year or $70 for a semester for new members, and $40 a year or $20 a semester to be a social member (non-competing). The IHSA also has membership fees of $45 a year. There is also a fee for each member's back numbers ($10 for the Hunt Team for the season, $20 for the Stock Team for the season). Additional fees that team members run into are lessons, entry fees, traveling expenses, hotels, apparel, etc. The team tries to help out with funding as much as possible, but members are responsible for some fees.

When does the team meet?
We have weekly team meetings throughout the fall and winter semesters. They are on the Allendale Campus on Monday nights at 9pm for the hunt team, and Wednesday nights at 9pm for the stock team. These are very important for all team members to attend, so please schedule your classes appropriately.

Where do you ride?
Our hunt seat team trains with Angie Barnes at Topcrest Stables. It is about a fifteen drive from the Allendale campus. Our stock team trains at Red Oak Farm with Laura Zemaitis and Katelyn Belcher, about 15 minutes from the Allendale campus. 

How are the shows run?
When arriving at the show, the team's registration is confirmed. A point rider is selected for each class in the show by the coach - a different rider can ride for points in flat and over fences/open horsemanship and open reining. Although all riders collect individual points, the point rider is the only rider who can collect points for the team. Their points contribute to the overall ranking of the team. While teams are registering, the horses that will be used are warmed up. After all teams are registered, horses are drawn. A description of each horse is posted, but riders are not allowed to school the horse that they have drawn before their class. Riders mount right before their class, as many of the horses are used in previous classes. Rider's team members are allowed to adjust their stirrups, but all other tack adjustments must be done by stewards or the hosting team. A rider will draw twice for flat and over fences/open horsemanship and open reining horses. After the class, riders dismount and hand their horse back to a member of the hosting team.

What are riders judged on?
Riders are judged based on their equitation. Equitation refers to a rider's position while mounted and encompasses a rider's ability to ride correctly and with effective aids.

Are there try-outs to join the team?
Because we are a club at Grand Valley, any full-time student is welcome to join. The teams hold separate evaluations at the beginning of the year to assess members' riding ability and allow coaches to properly place them for lessons and competing.

Do I need my own equipment or does the team provide it?
It is strongly encouraged that all team members own at least a pair of breeches, riding boots, and a helmet for English and jeans and boots for Western. At the beginning of the year, the team usually makes a trip to a local tack store so that beginners can buy the basic equipment they will need. It is suggested that team members own their own show clothes, however, for competitions, it is sometimes possible to borrow someone else's jacket, show shirt, etc.

Tack for horses is usually provided by the host school or comes with the horse we are using for our own shows. However, we may ask if anyone has saddles we can borrow and we appreciate any and all offers!

TEAM HISTORY

Established in 2005