USCA equestrian team provides unique opportunity for riders
Jessica Walters became involved with the USC Aiken equestrian club and team - a program that continues to evolve under head coach Susan White - at the encouragement of a friend.
"A girl I rode with all throughout high school was part of the club aspect of it," said Walters, who serves as the team president. "She told me about it, and I went and tried out for the team."
The USCA equestrian club and team competes at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association level in Zone 5 Region 2 and competes against other teams in their region, including USC, Clemson, Berry College, the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Judson College, Kennesaw State University, North Georgia College and State University, Converse College, Erskine College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Lander University, Emory University, Furman University and Georgia State University, said White.
This is the third semester the team is competing. The IHSA has 373 teams, 5,805 hunter seat riders, 1,444 western discipline riders and 896 riders who compete in both English and Western disciplines, for a total of 8,145 participating members nationwide.
The biggest challenge the team and club faces is funding, with the team members having to pay for lessons and show fees out of their own pocket, said White.
"Right now, we have five competing members. We lost six but picked up two members a week-and-a-half ago," said Walters, who works two jobs in addition to going to school and being part of the team. "It's hard work, but it's so much fun."
White encourages the club members to ride both English and Western, but it's not a requirement, she said. It helps build confidence and self-esteem for those who participate in the program.
"What I love about the IHSA, as opposed to the NCAA, is that IHSA opens the door to a lot of girls or boys. It's not gender-based," said White. "You can be a walk-trot beginner and still horse show at the IHSA level. A good horse is a good horse, and most of these girls have never ridden western. This way the girls don't have to own a horse. They don't have to own a truck and trailer."
The cost for a competing team member can be between $1,200 and $1,800 a semester, depending on the discipline. The team members really love what they're doing, and the camaraderie and friendships they develop with one another makes it seem more like an extended family, said White.
A number of people have directed their energies toward helping the program, including White. Randy Duckett, the USCA vice chancellor of enrollment services, has been very helpful.
"I've been teaching for 22 years," said White. "I'm not making any money at it, but I'm doing it because I love it. I want to start a junior team for the younger kids. They have the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, and one of my goals for next year is to have a team for grades six through 12. It's the same format as the IHSA."
Team members have an opportunity to train and take lessons on horses at White's facility, Wild Rose Performance Horses in Trenton, and with White at Andrea King's Hollow Creek Farms, where they get to ride King's horses. Team members have also worked with professional Grand Prix show jumping rider Angel Karolyi. White uses her own horses for the western end and gives the team members a discount on the price of the lessons.
"We need money for the lessons and show fees, and I give the students who participate a break on the cost of the lessons so they can afford it," said White. "It would be nice if we could get more tack donated."
Veterinarians Matt Barber and Michael Brown of Barber and Brown Vet Service have been extremely helpful.
"They're forever doing what they can to help," said White.
Boots, Bridles and Britches donated team jackets and gives team members discounts, as does Oak Manor Saddlery and Aiken Saddlery.
Team members have to buy all of their own show clothes. But professional show jumper and Grand Prix rider Georgina Bloomberg's not-for-profit organization donates used show clothes and has helped the team by sending boots, jackets and shirts.
"People like that are indispensable to us," said White. "Anything that anyone does give us is tax-deductible."
Contact Ben Baugh at bbaugh@aikenstandard.com.