Student riders have a new option as the University of West Florida welcomes the brand new UWF Equestrian Club, open to current and incoming students! Many student athletes choose colleges based as much on their sport of choice as on academics or other considerations, and riders are no exception. This club will not only allow students to continue their riding career and education simultaneously, but it will also teach them a whole new type of competition.The Equestrian Club will teach riders to compete as a team. They will work together to be the best riders they can be, and the best team they can be. Each team member will strive to bring out the good in one another, both in and out of the ring.
The UWF Equestrian Club will compete in horse shows held within their designated zone. These shows are overseen by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). Zone shows are held during the school year, allowing riders and the team to earn points that could take them on to compete in zone finals, regionals, and nationals. Riders travel as a team to surrounding host colleges within their zone. Each host school will supply the horses that will be in used in competition. One aspect of what makes these shows so unique is that the team members do not compete on their own horses. The day of the show, there is a "draw" where the coach and captains from all competing teams draw the name of the horses that each riders will show. Each team member must be well schooled on all different types of horses, because there in no time to school the drawn horse before entering the arena to show. Classes are judged much like a regular show, with each placing receiving a different amount of points. The points are accumulated by each rider and team to try to qualify for the finals. This type of competition is different than the recognized show most riders are accustomed to and offer a new experience for the students.
The UWF Equestrian Club will compete in horse shows held within their designated zone. These shows are overseen by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). Zone shows are held during the school year, allowing riders and the team to earn points that could take them on to compete in zone finals, regionals, and nationals. Riders travel as a team to surrounding host colleges within their zone. Each host school will supply the horses that will be in used in competition. One aspect of what makes these shows so unique is that the team members do not compete on their own horses. The day of the show, there is a "draw" where the coach and captains from all competing teams draw the name of the horses that each riders will show. Each team member must be well schooled on all different types of horses, because there in no time to school the drawn horse before entering the arena to show. Classes are judged much like a regular show, with each placing receiving a different amount of points. The points are accumulated by each rider and team to try to qualify for the finals. This type of competition is different than the recognized show most riders are accustomed to and offer a new experience for the students.