Jack Larish
Sports Editor
The equestrian team began its spring season on the weekend of February 11th and 12th with an impressive showing at Middle Tennessee State University. On the 12th, the team won the show, which was made up of nine teams. The team will host its next show on March 3rd and 4th.
This success follows last year’s great season with the team placing as a semifinalist in the NCEA (National Collegiate Equestrian Association) national championships. The team also won the regional championship in the IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association). The eventing team won all of their team competitions, and they went to nationals last year.
Currently, the team sits in second place in the region behind Maryville in the IHSA. In the NCEA, the team has earned a #3 ranking.
Kit Ferguson (C‘23) attributes the team’s success to their bond, despite competing in several different types of events. “We compete in three separate disciplines, but we all go to the same practices.” She also added that it helps “having teammates from different backgrounds coming together for a common goal.”
The equestrian team competes at a higher level than the vast majority of other Sewanee teams, and their achievements are starting to become more recognized around campus. “We’re definitely becoming more recognized. Adding the NCEA helped a lot since it’s a NCAA recognized organization.” Ferguson added. However, compared to other teams the equestrian team is relatively under-recognized. Ferguson commented, “I don’t think we get enough recognition for how we do.”
The team has high hopes for the IHSA national championships, which will take place on May 4th.