- Are there tryouts for the team?
- Yes! Our team competes in both Western and Hunt Seat divisions of IHSA! Most students will ride in one discipline or the other, but a few riders will show in both. You must try out for each team separately.
- What if I have never ridden before?
- IHSA Western competitions have six divisions: Beginner, Intermediate I, Intermediate II, Novice, Advanced and Open (Rail and Reining). Because of this, each year members of all experience levels join the team. The division you begin competing in is based on the number of years and type of riding experience you have. Points are then accumulated throughout the year, and riders can then "point up" to the next division.
- For the Hunt Seat competitions, there are eight divisions: Walk/Trot, Beginning Walk/Trot/Canter, Walk/Trot/Canter, Novice on the Flat, Novice over Fences, Intermediate on the Flat, Intermediate over Fences, Open on the Flat, and Open on the Fences.
- Can I choose between riding English or Western?
- Yes! As of the 2009-2010 season, Nebraska now has both Western and Hunt Seat teams! Although they are separate teams, many students ride on both. You must try out for each team separately.
- How much does it cost to be a member of the Equestrian Team?
- There is a cost because we are a club team. The price varies slightly each year, but is affordable. The team dues pay for entry fees, team clothing, charter buses and many other team expenses. In addition, each member is responsible for a certain amount of fundraising each semester. There are opportunities provided to reach the fundraising goals.
- How often and where does the Equestrian Team practice?
- Our Equestrian team practices once a week, in two different riding groups. Each group rides for an hour and a half.
- The barn is located on East Campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- What horse will I ride when practicing and competing?
- According to IHSA rules, riders do not compete with their own horses. Therefore, at all practices and competitions you will be riding university horses. Nebraska currently owns about 20 horses. These are the horses used in practice.
- During horse shows, the college hosting the show provides the horses. You draw the name of a horse the morning of the competition, and then will ride that horse in the show. No warm-ups are allowed, so the first time riding the horse is when you are being judged.
- How do riders qualify for Regionals(Western & Hunt Seat), Zones (Hunt Seat), Semi-Finals(Western), and Nationals(Western & Hunt Seat)?
- Riders accumulate points at the various shows throughout the year. These points are assigned based on places in a class. After 36 points, the rider "points up" to the next division. By pointing up to the next level, the rider qualifies for Regionals.
- At Regionals, the top two riders from each class qualify for Zones or Semi-Finals. Then, at Zones or Semi-Finals the top two riders from each class compete at Nationals. All three of theses shows (Regionals, Zones, Semi-Finals, and Nationals) take place at the end of the spring semester.