What is the Yale Equestrian Team?
The Yale Equestrian Team (YET) currently has approximately 20 active riders. The Team seeks both accomplished riders with extensive show experience and beginners who may not have ever ridden before but are dedicated to learning about the sport.
What does the team do?
The Team competes in Zone 2, Region 4 of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), with several competitions scheduled over the course of the academic year, where we compete against schools such as Columbia, New York University, Hofstra, Fairfield University. These shows feature English hunt seat equitation classes at various levels, namely: walk-trot, beginner walk-trot-canter, advanced walk-trot-canter, novice flat and fences (2'6"), intermediate flat and fences (2'9"), and open flat and fences (3').
In order to create a fair playing field, IHSA competitions are based on "catch riding," with riders drawing a horse provided by the host school. Riders are judged on their position and control of their mounts. Riders are not allowed to practice on their horses before entering the ring. Competitors are awarded points depending on how they finish in the class, with a first place finish receiving the most points. No points are awarded after sixth place. Riders who acquire 35 points in their divisions advance to the next level of competition and become eligible to compete in the annual regional show. Successful riders at the regional show may then advance to the zone show and, if successful there, the national show.
Aside from riding, the Team engages in various social events that truly make the experience incomparable, including team dinners, parties, and many others! While we strive to be the best athletes we can be, ultimately, the Team is a close-knit group of friends who genuinely enjoys each other's company.
How do you train?
Team members must partake in group lessons once a week in order to compete. More advanced riders train at River's Edge Farm (REF), roughly twenty minutes away from campus in Bethany, CT. If you do not have your own car, transportation is arranged. Less experienced riders train at the Yale Polo and Equestrian Center (YPEC), under the supervision of the most advanced team members. YPEC is located near the intramural (IM) fields, easily accessible by the IM buses that leave from the front of Payne Whitney Gym (PWG) on a regular schedule.
What are the costs involved?
There is a cost that comes with riding with the Team. As YET is a club sport, we are primarily student-run and student-funded. Members are expected to pay for their lessons ($40.00 per lesson), show entry fees ($30.00 per class per show, in addition to the annual IHSA membership fee), and any team gear desired. However, we do our best to be accommodating - please do let us know if you are concerned with the cost, and we will do our best to find a solution. For example, most team members have their own equipment, but several are willing to share in order to make costs less prohibitive. Team members are also expected to contribute to team fundraising events (i.e. the Yale Horse Show) and the Capital Campaign.
Please do not hesitate to contact any of the Team Officers with any questions or concerns! We are only too happy to help. We hope that you'll join us!