We're so excited that you are interested in joining the Santa Clara University Equestrian Team!
Here are some commonly asked questions from prospective riders to help you in your research:
The equestrian team encourages riders from all experience levels to join the team. The format of IHSA competitions requires the participation of riders from all levels. This is because points earned in the introductory divisions such as Walk - Trot are just as valued as the points from the advanced divisions such as Open. All experience levels are welcomed!
You must be an undergrauate student enrolled at the university with a GPA of 2.0 or above, making progess towards graduation in good standing.
The equestrian team holds tryouts at the beginning of the academic school year. These tryouts are an evaluation of a number of the rider's characteristics. These include equitation, horsemanship, teachability, and commitment to equestrianism.
All members wear breeches with either tall boots or paddock boot and half chaps. Members are permitted to bring personal tack to be used during team lessons. However, during shows tack is provided and therefore it is encouraged for members to not be reliant on the use of their personal tack.
Yes. But riders with their own horse are expected to take lessons on the team's horses because learning to catch ride horses that are not their own is the basis of IHSA competitions.
The equestrian team is coached by Nicole DicCorti Bush and Key Fey of Dicorti Bush Equestrian LLC. The barn is located in Gilroy, CA which is approximately a 30 to 40 minute drive from campus.
The time commitment of the team includes weekly meetings as well as 10 lessons per academic year.
Equestrian is a club sport at Santa Clara University meaning that the team is student funded. We do recieve some funding from club sports. Team members work with the Santa Clara Fund in order to raise money. Our dues are as low as possible however the cost of lessons, coaching, and travel to shows remains.
The equestrian team is in Zone 8 Region 1 of the IHSA. Other schools within this area that we compete against include: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State - Monterey Bay, Stanford University, Sonoma State University, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, and University of Nevada at Reno.
For more information regarding IHSA, you can explore the website by clicking here.