Horse Eden : College Equestrian Teams/ other updates *sad* news too

So I recently went to a college tour at an in-state all-girls christian college called Judson College. They are pretty well known for their success rate in their pre-vet and equine science students. These are the majors I want to be... so pretty cool. In addition to that, they have awarded me with a full-tuition scholarship.

Another thing this school has is its Equestrian Teams. And I am having some trouble deciding what team to join. They have a western team and a hunt seat team. Now, I currently and for all my life have ridden western. I have ridden in an english saddle but have never competed this way. I am still conflicted though which to do.

Here are some lists of pros and cons of both

Western:

Pros:

Experience competing and riding for more than 10 years

It will be easy to get the resources for a try out video

I have all things needed already

Cons:

I don't know anyone on the team

Couch is... not so great ( as I have heard )

boring same old routine

Hunt Seat:

Pros:

I know team members already

Coach is really kind

New, exciting way of learning to ride

I like the wear better

Cons:

I would have to work alot harder to be ready by August

I would need to buy all gear

Need to take lessons to better myself

Now for both of these disciplines, I would start off at the first level anyway. And Learning Hunt Seat equitation should not be too hard from now until August just to a walk/trot level

Some also devastating decisions are going to have to be made regarding my own horse. I have been informed by my mother that she is not going to keep my horse and if I want him to stay, I need to haul him to college with me. I dont have a trailer, or truck. And my horse is not the most timid. He has a reputation for tearing things up. I really didn't want to take him because I didn't want to worry about him while getting used to college for my first semester. But she wont allow it. Which is fair, I don't expect her to take care of my horse. I also have no way to pay for board...

So looks like I am going to have to give him back to his previous owner

I have a contract with her saying I can't sell him so I am conflicted whether or not to take him. I would really hate to stress over his well being and have to stress over being a full time student as well but I love him ya know?

He was given to me after my previous horse died tragically. That left me in a state of depression and took me a long time to learn to love another horse again. He got me through that though, not to mention that the training I put on this horse... it is a lot haha

So any advice for the teams, whether to take my horse or not, or on college in general, please share

Edited at November 19, 2019 10:43 PM by The Coven

College Equestrian Teams/ other updates *sad* news too

November 19, 2019 10:48 PM

Hallucination Manor

Posts: 5192
#491831
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Maybe see if his previous owner will let you have him back when your ready? Just tell her your situation and maybe she'll understand :)

College Equestrian Teams/ other updates *sad* news too

November 19, 2019 11:02 PM

FirstLightFarms

Trivia Team

Posts: 3685
#491835
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I'd search for a hauler. Surely somebody will be willing to take him to you for a fee!

As for IHSA, I rode hunt seat and made it to regionals. Only missed nationals because my horse bolted, but I didn't mind because the shows are kinda expensive and I prefer competing my own personal horses. But I can see where other people would enjoy the opportunities, and it is really great to compete on a team with other people your age. I did enjoy hunt seat a bit more, I competed western once just to help my school get points at a show and there was So Much prep. Makeup! And pinned hats and full chaps. I'm not used to that. Besides, we had to compete in hats, not helmets, and the first horse I rode reared straight up in the air the second we walked into the arena, which was not very cash money of her. But everybody has different preferences!

College Equestrian Teams/ other updates *sad* news too

November 22, 2019 10:20 AM

Coruscant Farm

Posts: 644
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I'm going to be the voice of caution and piggyback off of First Light's comment to a degree. IHSA is...not all It's cracked up to be. It could well be different now but they looked down on helmets a lot on my team. I'm very pro-helmet and wore one anyway. I had a team horse pitch me off so hard I had a concussion *with* a helmet. I shudder to think had I not been wearing my helmet. I took more falls in one year of IHSA lessons and shows than I did in five years of riding regularly in a traditional lesson barn. That is no exaggeration! The lessons also left a lot to be desired. Expensive, sub-par instruction on poorly trained horses that you were forced to do with the coach in order to show. You couldn't take lessons in an outside barn, it has to be with the coach.

All in all, most of the team members were nice and I made some friends but I don't think showing with them was worth it and I wish I would have put that money into lessons someplace else. If I were you I'd put that money into boarding your horse and continue riding him. You can be a non-showing member of the team if you want but I'd keep my horse vs. showing with them.

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