Equestrian Club enjoys reaching beyond campus
By James Allen
Staff Writer
“Hold Yer Horses” in green lettering on a blue shirt is now a familiar sight on the University of Indianapolis campus. Students of the Equestrian Club are wearing the shirts.
The Equestrian Club is a registered student organization at UIndy. According to Megan Ritsmon, four-year club member and former club president, the club has been active for at least eight years. The club’s goals are to enjoy riding and to compete against other Indiana and midwestern universities and colleges.
The style of competition is known as western pleasure. The Old West Style of riding is slow-paced and judged on the rider’s manners as he or she controls the horse’s speed, gait and disposition, Ritsmon said.
Unlike the rowdy competition depicted in many western movies, this competition judges a rider’s skill and ability to control a horse, Ritsmon said.
According to Ritsmon, the host school of any competition must provide the riders with horses. Most visiting riders will not have practiced with their competition horse beforehand.
“The lack of experience on a horse is not a problem for the club,” Ritsmon said. “I’d only ridden a horse three times before I started.”
Carol Anglea, in her fourth year as the club’s trainer offers the club lessons at a discounted price of $25 per rider.
A rider usually is required to do two or more lessons before he or she can compete, Anglea said. She is able to help train the beginners and help the advanced students strengthen their skills as riders.
According to Anglea, the team usually has 15-25 members participating in the competitions, but the numbers change throughout the season.
Besides the competitions, the Equestrian Club also participates in other events to build the community. The events include movie parties and trail rides at Fort Benjamin Harrison on the northeast side of Indianapolis.
“It’s a fun way to get out and meet people, even if you have never been on a horse before,” said sophomore Bethany Clemons, a second-year veteran on the team. “This gives the team a chance to bond and grow together.”
All RSOs are required to perform volunteer service in the community, which is part of the philosophy of “Education for Service” at UIndy. The team also holds dinners to raise money for the team and for charity.
The club raises money for Edelweiss Therapeutic Riding Center in Greenfield. According to the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library’s Web site, this riding center offers therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults who are challenged mentally, emotionally, physically, socially and behaviorally.
The club has been involved with the riding center for a while now and enjoys assisting in the cause to help those with disabilities enjoy life a little better, Clemons said.
Competitions are usually on Sundays, and the first one took place on Oct. 7. Clemons said that she encourages anyone with an interest to join—to compete or just to ride for fun.
