Whether a student prefers Western or English style riding, the two IU Equestrian teams share a love of caring for and riding horses . Indiana University Equestrian team and the Indiana University Western Equestrian Team are IU’s two equestrian clubs.
The IUET rides English style, specifically hunt seat, a style of forward riding that evolved from fox hunts. The IUET placed third in the region this year and sent riders to nationals in May at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. In order to compete at nationals a rider has to place 1st or 2nd at zones..
The IUWET rides Western style which evolved from ranching and warfare brought to the Americas by Spanish conquistadors.
“Riding makes you a better leader,” sophomore and President of the IUET Kitti Gal said. “It makes you have better communication skills, and just all around a very well rounded person.”
Regardless of experience, both clubs welcome riders from beginners to seasoned competitors. Gal explained how members of the club rotate riding the twenty horses available to them through the stables, and that a few girls even bring their own horses. They rotate horses because at a competition riders pick a horse to ride out of a hat. IUWET president and junior Taryn Nance confirmed that the same system is used in their competitions.
Switching up horses, however, doesn’t stop members from having a favorite. Gal’s favorite horse is a Thoroughbred named LuLu. Junior IUET member Kehinde Dosunmu’s favorite is Jed, whom she finds sassy but fun.
Nance has a favorite as well: Ringo. “He is such a challenging horse for me,” Nance said. “He kinda opens up to some different challenges I have experienced.”
Nance found out that Ringo really was a sweetheart as they started to work together.
“It’s a different challenge when you ride a horse,” said junior Mckenna Taylor of the IUWET.
Both IUET and IUWET meet at different stables off campus and compete in separate competitions. IUET practices at Crimson Stables and the IUWET practices at Big Star Stables; both are within thirty minutes of campus. The two clubs get along well which each other and have the contact information for either club readily available.
In addition to tournaments, Gal said the IUET helps out at Crimson stables brushing, and grooming the horses along with other volunteer work. Taylor said that the IUWET also helps out at Big Star Stables.
Dosunmu said working with horses is very therapeutic and great stress relief.
“Riding is about the bond with the horse,” Dosunmu said . “And the fact that you’re communicating with another living being. And like making a 1-ton animal do what you want is really cool.”
Nance echoed Dosunmu’s statement.
“You get to build a kindred ship with the horses.” Nance said. “And learn not to be afraid of them.”
Horses are known to have big personalities and are described by Dosunmu, Taylor and Nance as having an attitude like an old man, being sassy and sweet. The two clubs ride different styles, but share a love for horses and riding.
“Being surrounded by college life can be stressful,” Taylor said. “Having that kind of escape is really relaxing. It can be a great stress reliever.”
