WC Indiana News

Equestrian provides opportunity for the experienced rider - and for the beginner

Many, if not most, of the student-athletes who come to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to compete on either the Hunt Seat or Western equestrian teams, have been on a horse for years. And in a lot of cases, competing in competitive show rings around the United States.

But some give it a go with little or no experience with horses.

The Pomeroys, who compete in a Hunt Seat home show Saturday, are traditionally one of the top programs in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. The IHSA includes levels from beginner to advanced open riders so head coach Tabatha Taylor welcomes the opportunity to work with novice and beginner riders to make for a complete roster.

Freshman Abbigael Coyle, a Lebanon native who is also a cross country and track and field standout for SMWC, decided to jump on a horse for the first time this semester.

"Alex (Crabb) is my best friend and a captain. She was telling me we need new walk/trotters. I'd never ridden a horse, but I'll definitely try out because it seems fun. I've been on the team ever since," Coyle said.

"It's definitely a learning curve, especially if you've never sat on a horse before," Coyle added.

Crabb, a native of nearby Brazil, grew up around horses, even competing in gaming, which are speed events. But she'd never competed in Hunt Seat or Western.

Crabb came to SMWC for the opportunity to study equine therapy and decided to walk-on to the equestrian team.

"I'd ridden my entire life but I came in as a walk/trotter, which was kind of nice so I could refine the basics and start out at a really good point," Crabb said. "It gave me a good opportunity to go back to enjoying showing and it not all being about who can place the highest."

Crabb excelled at the beginner level as a freshman, qualifying for nationals on the Hunt Seat team. As a junior, she's riding at the novice division and is close to qualifying for nationals.

With the chance to work with Taylor and assistant coach Sarah Kenderdine Bouslog, Crabb has made progress since arriving as a freshman.

"I came from gaming. Barrells, poles, flags, all the speed events where it's not about siting pretty. I had to work on my position and my cues with the horses. It was a very different ball game," Crabb said.

Like Crabb two years ago, freshman Ball State transfer Lilly Winiecki is ready to compete at in Hunt Seat for the first time.

"I got horse lessons when I was little. That's how I fell in love with it. I'm excited to do Hunt Seat for the first time," said Wiiniecki, who described the team culture as an embracing one. "I like how the team works together as a whole. They don't make me feel out of place; they make me feel welcome."

Crabb said the culture on the teams make for a competitive but tightly knit group.

"We're a really close team. We all compete against one another so it's cool that we're all close. It's healthy competition," Crabb said.

For Coyle, she's hoping to be ready to compete soon. It's just a matter of putting in the work.

"Just getting comfortable and confident sitting on a horse. It's definitely a big difference. Just listening to my coaches and trying to improve. I absolutely love it. I never thought of myself to ride horses, but I fell in love as soon as I did it," Coyle said.

Original source can be found here.