The NCEA came out with the preseason rankings on Tuesday September 15th. A big shake up with Georgia on top over the reigning champions South Carolina.
2014-15 RANKINGS (PRESEASON)
1. Georgia
2. South Carolina
3. Oklahoma State
4. Auburn
5. Baylor
6. Kansas State
7. TCU
8. Texas A&M
9. New Mexico State
10. SMU
In the world of college riding the teams are just kicking off their year long season. On Friday September 18th, the University of Alabama traveled to Delaware State University for their opening match. The day started off with equitation over fences where U of A and DSU were tied with a score of 2-2. The “tide” changed when they went to the flat ring. DSU had a clean sweep beating U of A 5-0. This boosted DSU to a win of 7-2. MOP’s were awarded to two DSU riders, Carlin Savage over fences, and Hayley Jeske on the flat.
Over the past couple of days the World Equestrian Games has been going on in Normandy. Competitors from all over the globe came to test their skill on the world level, Madden was among them. Recovering from a broken collar bone she suffered in May, she was racing the clock to heal. Madden is an established member of the U.S Olympic Team and an American favorite. This week she reminded the world why. With a partially healed collar bone Madden rode her horse Cortes C to third place out of 62 competitors in the jumping division. Madden states “I missed the whole summer series because of this injury and I will not let it take away my fall series too.”
Being on a NCAA Division One Equestrian Team is nothing to take lightly. We are up early in the morning working out just like every other sports team. People do not seem to understand the dedication an equestrian has for the sport. We do not get to wake up and run around for a couple of hours and go home. We have an entire other being to take care of, one that does not speak our language. The endless hours that are put into bonding with an animal that is ten times our size. The risk we take every time we throw a leg onto the other side. We make controlling them look effortless when they could kill us a single move. The blood, sweat, and tears that are shed for even the slightest chance to step into the ring on show day. So, yes, I consider equestrianism a sport, and a very hard one at that.
Just Horsin' Around 