UMW Varsity Riding Program
All riding students are eligible to try out for the varsity intercollegiate equestrian team. Team selections are held at the beginning of each academic semester and students are chosen based on their ability to perform at different levels. In order to compete as a member of the twenty-five member team, riders are needed to fill positions in each of the following divisions, from most to least experienced: Open, Intermediate, Novice, Walk-trot-canter, and walk-trot. In twelve of the past 15 years, UMW has sent at least one rider to the national championships in one or more of these divisions.
The varsity riding team takes part in eight shows each year, in addition to regional, zone, and national championship competitions. The University of Mary Washington is a member of Region I, Zone IV of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, along with the University of Maryland, Christopher Newport University, College of William and Mary, George Washington University, Goucher College, Catholic University, American University, George Mason, Hood College, Mount St. Mary's College, St. Mary’s College of MD, Sweet Briar College, and the University of Richmond.
The IHSA, founded in 1967, promotes competition for riders of all skill levels who compete individually and as teams at regional, zone, and national shows. The objective of the IHSA competition is to offer opportunities to newcomers and experienced riders. As a recognized member of the American Horse Show Association (AHSA), IHSA involves itself with the top professionals in the field. Only AHSA-recognized judges are used for IHSA competitions. The competition is unique in that no rider may use his or her own horse. All riders are mounted on a horse by the host school, with each horse being drawn by lot. The use of personal tack is not allowed and schooling is not permitted.
Class levels range from walk-trot, for first year competitors, to the open division, for the experienced rider. In addition to qualifying individuals for national competition, each region is represented by its high-point team to vie for the coveted Miller’s Cup. Mary Washington was the reserve high-point team at the 1988 national show, and finished fourth in 1994.
The 2006-07 season saw Mary Washington finish in second place in the regional standings, despite having tits home show cancelled due to weather. UMW finished first and second at the two-day University of Maryland shows to kick off the season, and then placed second at Mount St. Mary’s and Goucher College to close the fall semester.
UMW placed second again at Goucher to kick off the Spring schedule. The Eagles had four riders advance individually to the regional show, with Jessica Van Brocklin, Erin Richardson, Bradley Bounds, and Lauren Campbell advancing. Two riders, Van Brocklin and Richardson, advanced to the IHSA national show in May, where Van Brocklin, the region’s top point rider for the year, finished fourth in open equitation over fences, and competed for the Cacchione Cup as the top rider in the nation.
As always, competition for the 2007-08 riding team will be fierce, with an excellent group of riders competing for spots. In keeping with an excellent tradition in equestrian, and one of the few college programs that is offered as a varsity sport, the equestrian team will look to add another exciting chapter to the University of Mary Washington record book in 2007-08 With the full backing of the community, school and administration, look for the Eagles to return to the top of the region and zone standings again next season.