Equestrian team rides to nationals

It's time to saddle up for IU's equestrian team. \nThis year, four members of the the team qualified for zones, or the equivalent of a conference tournament, April 3 and 4. Of the four participants, one qualified for the national competition, which is IU's first in almost five years. The national competition will be held April 30 through May 2. \nSenior Leslie Davis, the team's western captain, said this year's team showed promise by the number of participants competing. \n"This year, we had a bunch of freshmen join the team," Davis said. "We added more members who competed at more levels, which gave us more points in the competitions."\nSophomore and English rider Jeanine Bullion described the difference between western and English-style horse riding.\n"English riding is about jumping and showing on flat surfaces," Bullion said. "Western is all about flat-trot, cantor and walk."\nDavis said in contrast to this year, only one person qualified for zones in 2003. \n"The team displayed good teamwork throughout the competitions," Davis said. "As a result, the team performed really well."\nThe four riders who qualified for zones were Davis, Bullion, junior Meredith Hill and senior Ashley Strempel. Bullion is IU's representative for the national competition.\nAccording to the team's Web site, the team consists of over 90 members, of which about 30 or so compete. English and western lessons are offered weekly, and both competition and lessons are open to those of all ability levels. The team competes through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.\nPublicity officer and English rider junior Julia Goodman said IU's equestrian team differs from other teams because of the intimacy and size of the team.\n"We are not a very big team, compared to teams we compete against," Goodman said. \nBullion concurred with her teammates, saying IU has amazing and promising talent, which can pose a definite challenge to the other teams in the region.\n"We have the best talent in the region," Bullion said. "The longer the girls stay, the better organized our team will be. We have the ability to unseat Purdue, which dominates our region."\nBullion said joining the equestrian team not only added to her passion for riding, but she also met her best friends in college through the organization.\nBullion also said the uniqueness of and the curiosity of the sport is a reason to come out, support or join the equestrian team.\n"If you are interested in lots of gratification, joining the equestrian is a good decision." \n-- Contact staff writer Eric Tash at etash@indiana.edu