ABOUT US: Getting to know the YET
The team is always looking for new members, and we welcome everyone from very beginners to those who compete on a regular basis! If you are interested, the best way to get involved with the team is to email the captain, Blair Epstein. The team holds a general meeting early in the year for everyone who is interested. Currently, there are about 20-30 members on the team, 20 of which compete at scheduled IHSA (International Horse Show Association) events. Since the YET is a club sport, Yale University does no recruiting for the team and does not offer scholarships of any kind. In addition, as a club team, YET is self-funded. The YET is currently in the process of petitioning for varsity status and for the renovation of on campus facilities which would greatly aid our finances, practice, and recruitment. (See proposals for more information on this campaign.)
The YET competes in Zone 2, Region 4 of the IHSA, which is made up of about a dozen other schools in the Long Island-Connecticut area, in addition to new additions of NYU and Columbia. There are approximately 10 IHSA shows in Region 1 per year, split over the fall and spring seasons. These shows feature hunt-seat equitation classes divided into several levels of competition: walk/trot, beginner walk/trot/canter, advanced walk/trot canter, novice flat and fences, intermediate flat and fences, and open flat and fences.
Riders are judged on their position and control of their mount. Horses are assigned randomly to riders prior to the commencement of the show, and riders are not allowed to practice on their horses before entering the ring. Competitors are awarded seven points for a first place finish, five for second, four for third, three for fourth, two for fifth, and one point for sixth. The team accumulates points from one rider in each class. Before the show begins, these riders are appointed as the team’s "point riders". The champion team is the one whose "point riders" have collected the most points at the end of the show.
Riders who acquire 35 points in their division advance to the next level of competition and become eligible to compete in the annual regional show. Successful riders at regionals may then advance to zones or nationals. In the 2003-2004 season, eight YETers competed in regionals, two advanced to zones, and one competed at nationals. The YET did even better in the 2004-2005 season, earning the Zone 3, Region 1 Championship title as a team. Furthermore, five riders went to regionals, three of whom continued on to represent Yale at Nationals in Ohio. Elizabeth Gerber (riding in Novice flat) and Gypsy Moore (riding in Advanced Walk Trot Canter) both placed 3rd in the nation in their divisions and team coach Margot Sanger-Katz earned a 7th in the Alumni division. In addition to these post-season events, YET also participates in the All Ivies competition.
YET members take group lessons (determined by level) once a week through October and November, and then again from late February through post-season events, when applicable. Walk/Trot and Walk/Trot/Canter riders are taught at YPEC (Yale Polo and Equestrian Center) by a more experienced member of the team. YPEC is located near the Yale IM fields, and is about a 10-15 minute bus ride from Yale’s Payne Witney Gymnasium. University buses go to the IM fields every 15 minutes. Novice, Intermediate, and Open riders take lessons at River’s Edge Farm in Bethany, about 20 minutes from campus.