Information and FAQ...

When is the first meeting to discuss riding opportunities?

The first meeting will be held early in the fall semester at a tba date, time, and location. This meeting is for new and returning members in western, dressage, and hunt seat, and will give you the opportunity to meet the coaching staff as well as the intercollegiate team officers.

Who should I contact for more information or to schedule a tour?

Sloane Schottenheimer, the Prospective Student Coordinator, would be happy to schedule a tour of the facility during your next trip to Oxford or answer any questions you have in regards to our programming. Please contact her by email at SchottSD@muohio.edu or by phone at 513-529-8073.

Riding Programs

Intercollegiate Riding Team (MUET) Miami University Equestrian Team

This team is comprised of hunt seat, dressage, and western riders who compete against other colleges in reining, horsemanship, and equitation on the flat and over fences. The respective teams show in an equitation format on horses provided by the host college. The Intercollegiate riding team allows for all levels of riders, from beginners to advanced, to participate. Riders are placed in divisions and compete to accumulate points within their division that determine their qualifying status for competitions at Regional through National levels.

Who decides what division I am in for the IHSA and/or IDA?

Returning members will try-out for the division in which they competed in, or were originally placed. New members will fill out a placement form based on previous riding and showing experience. For more information on the IHSA and its divisions please visit www.ihsainc.com but please do not join as a member yet. We will help you in the weeks to come with placement and membership. Dressage riders can also check out the IDA website at www.teamdressage.com.

Expectations:

In addition to practices, all team members are required to attend meetings. As the team's schedule permits, outside practices and activities are often added for the benefit of all members. Un-mounted practices such as work-outs are mandatory. The team is a big time commitment. Please do not accept an invitation if you are unable to meet the requirements. You will be asked to step down if you do not meet the expectations.

Can I try-out for the jumping team?

There are limited spots available on the jumping team as most horse shows limit the jumping entries to 6-8 riders. If your placement form places you in novice fences or above and you have at least 6 months continuous jumping instruction you may try-out.

Can I try-out for western reining?

Only those interested riders who qualify for the open western division as filled out on your placement form.

Can I try out for the dressage team?

If you are interested in dressage, the IDA offers competition at Introductory Level, Lower Training, Upper Training, and First Level. The IDA emphasizes the ability to apply dressage principles on an unfamiliar horse. The level in which you are assigned to compete may not reflect your highest level of previous competition for this reason. Prior knowledge of dressage and experience riding dressage tests are preferred, but you need neither to have competed in a dressage show, nor to have ridden a test for competitive purposes. Approximately a dozen riders make up the dressage team.

How many people are on the team?

Approximately 65-75 members will be on the team to include hunt seat, dressage, and western.

When are try-outs and how do they work?

Your try-out will take place during a riding lesson during the first few weeks of the semester. The available lesson times will be posted in advance, please attend the informational meeting for try-out sign-ups and information. Please come to try-outs in horse show attire you own at this time, if you are missing items you can inform the coaching staff at your tryout and we can discuss your intentions of acquiring these items. Horse equipment will be provided. Try-outs are for western, dressage, and hunt seat, if you are interested in more than one discipline you must try-out for each discipline.

How many times a week will I lesson and how do I sign up for lesson times?

We are planning on having each member ride in two lessons per week, weather permitting. A third opportunity may be offered: to either exercise a horse, practice techniques worked on during lesson time, watch instructional videos and or strength training. See calendar for all sign-up dates. Practices are mandatory and absences must be excused. Each member should be prepared to arrive early for his or her practice to groom and tack up and plan to stay ½ hour after to properly cool down, groom, and clean your horse’s equipment.

What is the cost of riding on the intercollegiate team?

The semester fee is $800.00 and all billing will be done at the beginning of the semester through the bursar office. All billing forms will be filled out at the equestrian center.

IHSA/IDA Horse Shows:

Each team competes in 8 horse shows per year. Each team usually competes at least twice a semester. Due to limited entries not all members will be eligible to compete at each show. The coaches will decide which members are eligible and will announce their decisions at least a week prior to the show. We travel to different cities and states for horse shows.

All members are expected to plan on attending all horse shows in their discipline even if not competing. Miami hosts a hunt seat and western horse show in the fall semester. These horse shows are mandatory events for all members of each team division. In order for these shows to be successful each team member must pitch in to help the show run successfully.

Cost for IHSA team dues:

• IHSA Dues (1x/year) ... $30.00 (one discipline) $40.00 (two disciplines)
• MUET Team Dues (2x/year) ... $40.00

Cost for IHSA Horse Showing:

• Class Entry Fee (per class) ... $25.00
• Travel Fee ... varies from $5.00 - $30.00
• MUET Apparel (optional but encouraged) ... varies

Cost for IDA Team Dues:

• IDA Dues (1x/year) ... $30.00
• MUET Team Dues (2x/year) ... $40.00

Cost for IDA Horse Showing

• Class Entry Fee ... $32.00
• Travel Fee ... $10-$20 per night
• MUET Apparel (optional but encouraged) ... varies

Other Opportunities Available to Team Members

What Riding opportunities are available to me if I don’t make the IHSA team?

The coaching staff would like all those interested to have an opportunity to ride at Miami. Riders may be asked to join the team at any point during the academic season. The best way to be ready for this opportunity is to stay riding. Please read below for suggested riding opportunities.

Lesson Packages

Individual lessons as well as lesson packages will be offered in hunt seat, dressage and western.

• Cost: Group Lessons - $25.00 per lesson, cash or check (preferred)
• If you purchase five or more lessons at a time you put on your bursar account.
• Private Lesson - $45.00 per lesson if space is available
• Lesson packages will expire one year from the date of purchase

KNH Classes

KNH 150.E – Introduction to Horseback Riding

Designed for the student who has never ridden, has not ridden frequently or recently. Students learn the basics of equine history, anatomy, colors, breeds and markings. Riding focuses on acquiring basic skills on the horse and in the barn. Students will learn to ride at the walk, trot, and canter.

KNH 150.F – Intermediate Horseback Riding

This course builds on the basic skills learned in 150.E and is also designed for those students who have had significant riding experience and are able to groom, saddle, and tack their horse independently. Students may ride either western or hunt seat disciplines with instructor approval. Students will focus on developing communication between horse and rider by performing maneuvers of increased difficulty.

KNH 150.H – Advanced Horseback Riding

Students may enroll in this course with instructor approval. Content may vary based on enrollment and instructor. Course focuses on the developing individual skills of horse and rider. Significant prior riding experience is required as well as good basic horsemanship. Students will enjoy ample individual instruction and independent application of skills learned. Students may ride in either hunt seat or western tack.

Specialty Offerings KNH 150.H- Advanced Horseback Riding- Jumping

In this class students will learn the fundamentals of jumping utilizing poles, cavalettis, and gymnastic work to solidify their jumping position. Students may enroll in this class with instructor approval.

KNH 150.H Advanced Horseback Riding-Working with the Green Horse over Fences

In this class students will continue to confirm green horse flat work and introduce horse to cavaletti and gymnastic work. Students may enroll in this class with instructor approval.

KNH 150. H - Advanced Horseback Riding - Western

This course is designed to further individual riding skills and focuses on strengthening individual weaknesses of the rider and the horse. Students will be assigned a regular ride and will focus on reaching a common goal with the horse. Outside class work includes a journal which will log the daily activities and plans for the next ride. Students must come prepared to work hard, experience both frustration and success, and to have fun. Students may enroll with instructor permission.

Open Horse Showing

We would like to offer open horse showing opportunities for those students interested in attending local shows. Although we do not have room for privately owned horses at the Miami stables at this time, students may meet us with their horses at these shows and compete. You may also lease a school horse if you do not own your own.

Fees for outside horse showing include:

• Instructional Fee: $50.00 per day
• Horse Rental Fee: $25.00 per day
• Trailering Fee: $1.00 per mile
• Stabling and Entry fees: Vary depending on horse show

What you will need to participate in riding?

Horse equipment is provided to include grooming supplies, bathing supplies, bridle, saddle, girth, boots, and saddle pads. You will need to utilize our bridles, girths, pads, boots and grooming supplies, if you choose to use your own saddle keep in mind we switch horses during the lessons sometimes and others may need to utilize your saddle.

Weekly lesson attire: The attire listed below is for your safety

• ASTM approved helmet that fits securely with your hair secured in hairnets up under the helmet or in the case of short hair is pulled back.
• A shirt that meets your shoulder and is tucked into your pants.
• Jeans and half chaps or full chaps with paddock boots, or breeches and boots.
• Western may wear jeans and a western boot
• Boots must be worn at all times when working around the horses.

If you are uncertain about your clothing or are going to purchase new or have existing items tailored, please ask the coaching staff for assistance and a shopping trip can be arranged.

Horse show attire Hunt Seat:

• ASTM approved helmet, the look you are going for is the GPA or Charles Owens, hair secured in hairnets up under the helmet or in the case of short hair is pulled back.
• A long sleeved hunt shirt in a conservative color and or pattern with choker, a monogram is nice but not a show pin. Ties for men, to compliment shirt. Shirt color and pattern should compliment hunt coat.
• A hunt coat of quality fabric in a conservative color, navy for finals, coat must be tailored to fit you.
• Tailored sportsman breeches or of similar fabric, fit and color. Very few others compare please check before investing. The tailored sportsman are the better investment because they last.
• A belt with shirt tucked in
• Field boots are preferable in some cases dress boots will work, they must be snug fitting and tall enough.
• Black gloves
• Conservative jewelry if any and same with make-up

Dressage Attire:

• ASTM approved helmet, the look you are going for is the GPA or Charles Owens. Hair secured in hairnets up under the helmet.
• A dressage or hunt coat of quality fabric in black or navy. Dressage coat preferred. Coat must be tailored to fit you.
• White competition shirt and stock tie with pin. “False” stock ties are acceptable and can be an economical alternative.
• White breeches, full seat preferred.
• Black or dark brown belt with shirt tucked in.
• Black tall boots.
• Black or white gloves (black preferred).
• Conservative jewelry if any and same with make-up.

Western Attire

• Felt hat of 5X or higher quality in black. Hat should be shaped to you and kept in a hat container. Preferably quarter horse crease.
• Women should wear a fitted, long sleeve horsemanship shirt or jacket to compliment chaps and hat.
• Men need to wear a nice higher end western shirt and scarf tie that compliments chaps and hat.
• Chaps need to be black made of leather rough out or ultra suede. They need to be tailored to you.
• Pants under chaps should match chaps and also be fitted.
• Must have belt with appropriate buckle
• Western boots that match outfit, preferably not lacers
• Make-up and Jewelry to compliment attire
• Hair should be in bun or styled appropriately

Western show shirts are available for rent. Contact Beth for details.

Photography & Design by: Steven Lakin