UNF EQUESTRIAN TEAM FAQ

Nope! The great thing about our partnership with the IHSA is that showing is possible without your own horse. During competition season, the team will travel to other schools in our region, where horses will be provided by the host school.

While it is preferable for our members to already own proper show clothes, coaches and officers are more than happy to help new members source out affordable, nice show attire as competition season approaches. Members will be expected to own the following pieces of show attire: - A black or dark grey show coat. Navy blue or green may be permitted upon individual conversation with a coach or officer. - A white, long-sleeve show shirt. Please no colored show shirts or show shirts with obvious designs. - A clean, polished pair of leather tall boots. They must fit the rider well, both in width and height. - A black, fitted, SEI-approved riding helmet. Velvet covers or ill-fitting helmets will not be allowed.

That is absolutely ok! We welcome riders of all backgrounds and skill levels. The IHSA accommodates entry-level hunt seat riders with both a walk/trot division, as well as beginner and advanced walk/trot/canter classes, with no jumping included.

Prospective members are more than welcome to meet our coaches and officers during Week of Welcome events, as well as attend the first informational meeting! However, once students have paid club dues, we do ask that an intentional effort is made to finish out the semester. Members who choose not to continue club affiliation will not receive their club dues or previously-paid fees back. Likewise, members who verbally commit to a competition and are not able to go, will be charged a portion of the aforementioned travel expenses. We strive for fairness and low-cost, both of which consistency and commitment play a large role in.

At this time, the UNFET does not have a home barn. But, this is intentional! In order to provide our members with a unique, diversifying training experience, we source horses from local barns, owners, and friends. By doing this, we expand our members pool of horses and, therefore, assure that they are well-equipped as competition season approaches. If you own a horse or a lesson barn local to Jacksonville, and would like to support our team in this way, please send us an email, message us on Instagram, or complete the form on the "contact" page. :)

Unfortunately, the IHSA requires that all competing members maintain a full-time student status of 12 or more credit hours. However, a full-time student split amongst multiple universities would still be allowed and encouraged to compete. Riders are also welcome to take lessons and attend club events without competing and, thus, the need for full-time, 12 credit hour, status.

Our team travels together and stays together! This practice helps to bond teammates and encourage camaraderie, which is vital to success and morale during shows. That being said, the team will typically meet up and travel to the competition location on Friday evening. On Saturday mornings, schooling begins early, so riders, coaches, and officers alike will spend roughly 7am-5pm at the show facility. Sundays are similar, with an early start time and long day at the venue. Once competition concludes on Sunday, riders are free to travel back to Jacksonville at their leisure!