DE wants to welcome guest writer Hannah Jones. Hannah is an equestrian primarily based in the UK, but currently traveling in Canada and the US. She has two horses back at home, Lexy and Zsazsa. She has competed both horses all around the UK in showjumping and eventing but they’re now enjoying a quieter life in their older years. Horses and writing have always been her main passions so getting to combine the two is the ultimate goal! You can find her on Instagram here.
By Hannah Jones
For many riders, going to university often leads to the sale of their beloved horse due to moving away and the time-consuming hours of studying. However, this does not mean students have to give up their time in the saddle, with over 160 UK universities offering the opportunity to join riding teams and lessons for all levels of riders to enjoy.
Sports fair during fresher’s week is held at almost every university, with first year students soon realizing that dozens of sports are available to sign up for, whether they are top athletes looking to compete or someone looking to try something new. Luckily for equestrians, most universities offer lessons for people who are wanting their horsey-fix and lessons for beginners who would like to learn how to ride. Or, for the more experienced and competitive, there is an opportunity to sign up for trials in which a selected few are chosen to compete for their university against other universities in the same league.
Having your own horse at university has no advantage when it comes to joining a club, which is a concern for many students who want to join, as for lessons and competitions, horses are provided, which is an excellent way of improving ride-ability and boosting confidence on all different types of horses, from cobs to dressage stallions and show jumpers. Plus, no mucking out or yard jobs are required, you just turn up and ride. So, for the rider who is giving up their passion for the purpose of education, there are ways around it.
If you’re a confident rider and have experience with horses, it is always worth going to trials if you’re keen, as you could be selected to be on one of the teams. With sports being a respected aspect at university, to get on a team is a huge achievement and well credited. At my university (Oxford Brookes), we have a first and second equestrian team who compete in the BUCS (British university college) league to try and qualify for regionals and then nationals, as well as a development squad team who compete in a non-competitive league. When I went to trials, there were around 30 other riders and 10 spaces available, so it is competitive as you’re up against other talented riders, but everyone is judged on a level playing field.
Trials and competitions
What happens at trials is you are given a random horse to complete a small show on which must include walk, trot, and canter. You then do a course of show jumps which usually stands between 70cm-90cm on the horse you performed the show on, and then you’re allocated another horse to do the same course on, to prove how well you can adjust your riding to suit a different horse. The trials for Oxford Brookes took place at Hall place equestrian, which is based in Reading and a selection of the riding school horses were provided.
The British university and college sports competitions are a huge part of university sports clubs. These competitions are a lot different from the usual horse show in that competitors do not compete on their own horse. Instead, they ride horses at the venue they are competing at. This creates a fair game as everyone is in the same position of not knowing the horse they are going to be sat on, as opposed to competing on your own, testing skills and horsemanship.
At BUCS competitions, there are three universities which have been put in the same league who compete against each other in the attempt to qualify for regionals, in which multiple universities qualify for in different regions to compete for a space at nationals. At these competitions, university teams are made up of four riders who are then drawn out in a random order (usually done out of a riding hat!) of competing on their selected horse provided at the venue. Four horses are used in the dressage, and it works on the basis of each rider being against another rider on the same horse that has been drawn for them. For example, if you have drawn to ride ‘horse A’, one rider from each opposing team will also be riding that horse. The most points will be rewarded to the rider which performs best on their horse. The same applies for the show jumping, and then scores are combined at the end with the winning university having the least penalties, with all individual scores counting towards the team score.
Here is a rundown on what happens at the competitions. Riders are usually given between five and seven minutes to warm-up and get to know their horse before completing a dressage test (BUCS own test). Different horses are then given to the riders to complete a course of 90cm show jumps, with the same amount of warm-up time being allowed plus four warm up jumps. It is a very challenging concept riding a new horse and only being allowed minimal time to get to know it, however it is an excellent experience and rest assured only horses that are capable of completing a dressage test and jumping at 90cm are used.
Dressage tests are judged to the usual standard with each predetermined movement marked on a scale between one and ten (ten being the best mark available), rider marks are then also rewarded at the end for influence of the rider on the horse, effectiveness, preparation and accuracy and position and seat of the rider. Unlike normal British show jumping with the quickest time and least poles determining the winner, BUCS jumping is judged on style and performance to see how influential the rider is. The show jumping course usually consists of between 8-12 jumps and each jump is rewarded a mark out of ten for how well it is executed. Rider marks are also given which are judged the same as the dressage. If you have a pole down, six faults are added to your total, if you have a refusal or add a circle, ten faults are added and if you fall off, you’re immediately eliminated and will not be allowed to get back on the horse (for healthy and safety reasons and fairness).
So, if you’re attending a BUCS show with your university, try and figure out what riding style suits the horse you’re on so that you can establish a partnership, as you could find the horse being very different to what you’re used to. Focus on accuracy and rhythm through both phases and follow the usual standard of competition riding to achieve top marks and have fun!
Things to remember when considering trialing and competing for your university:
You must know the basics of riding a horse:
Although it states anyone can trial to be a part of a sports team, you must know how to ride a horse in walk, trot and canter; be able to work a horse into a correct outline and be able to jump a 90cm course. The best riders are picked for BUCS, so if you do not follow these requirements, it may be best to sign up for social riding instead as it is more leisurely and less competitive.
Remember to take your competition and riding wear with you:
According to the BUCS rules and regulations, helmets must meet one of the following standards: British: All PAS 015, Australian and New Zealand: AS/NS 3838 2003 onwards, European: VG1 or American: All SEI ASTM F1163 04a onwards. Riders should also be dressed smartly. Jackets should be navy or black, show shirts must be worn with either a stock or tie, jodhpurs should be white or cream with black or brown riding boots. Gloves are also compulsory.
Horses can vary:
You will have no idea what horse or pony you will be riding until you arrive at the venue. To put it into perspective, at Oxford Brookes recent university competition for the 3rd team, in the dressage, a 14.2hh 22-year-old pony was used as well as a 17.2hh 4-year-old horse. Any height, breed and age can be given if fit and capable to do so.
Balancing studying and riding:
It is unlikely that BUCS competitions will affect your studies, as in the academic year you’re only likely to do 3 or 4 shows unless you qualify for regionals, so it isn’t something that requires all your time.
Costs:
To join a university sports team, payment is required. For the equestrian team, the fee usually stands at £150 (variable between different universities). This covers all entry fees; therefore, no additional payments are required.
If you’re starting university this year and are interested in joining the equestrian team, go to trials. You will get to keep the horsey side of life whilst representing your university, you will also improve your riding skills whilst being challenged and you will also meet some fantastic people with the opportunity to attend socials with them, meaning it is a great way of making friends with similar interests. Don’t hang those boots up just yet!
