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The SSU Equestrian Club leaps over other teams at recent competitionsAmie HodgeSTAR Issue date: 12/9/08 In their recent competitions, the SSU Equestrian Club placed first in many categories at schools such as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Stanford University.
In their recent competitions, the SSU Equestrian Club placed first in many categories at schools such as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Stanford University.
To those of you who may not know the secrets of clubs and organizations on campus, it may come as a surprise to know that Sonoma State offers an Equestrian Club to those who have an interest in horses as a sport and as a relaxing getaway.
The Equestrian Club is a newly formed organization that is categorized as a Sport Club on campus.
It is a club for anyone who is interested in anything horse related, whether it is the love for horses, riding casually, or competing in sport against other teams.
Students who have never ridden a horse before can still join in on the fun. They do not even have to be horse owners to join the club.
The team that has been formed from the club competes through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
The IHSA's mission is to promote competition for riders of all skill levels, who compete individually and as teams at regional, zone, and national levels.
The association was founded on the principle that any college student should be able to participate in horse shows regardless of his or her financial status or riding level. Emphasis is on learning, sportsmanship, and fun.
Competition plays a role but the students' enthusiasm and team spirit are the major factors.
The objective of an IHSA competition is to offer the opportunity to riders in their first years of riding as well as to students with show experience.
Eliminating the expense of shipping or even owning horses puts IHSA competitions within reach of many who would otherwise miss the equestrian experience, according to ihsainc.com.
The Equestrian Club is always accepting new team members of all riding levels. The club has 10 riders that have competed at the various shows this semester. The majority of the team is English riders, but they also have Western riders that compete as well.
The team recently competed at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Nov. 1 and 2 and quite a few of the team members placed.
Crystal Larkins took first place in the English category for Advanced Walk Trot Canter. Shelly Davis took first place in Beginning Walk Trot Jog for the Western category and Janis Lapsley took third place in Reining.
On Nov. 8 and 9, the team competed at the College of the Sequoias and Davis placed again at first place in Beginning Walk Trot Jog, Lapsley took second and third in Reining and was also the high point rider.
On Nov. 15 and 16, Kirbi Rogers took third place in Novice Flat at a competition at Stanford University, and on Nov. 22, Caitlin Maus took first place in Open over fences and Flat in the English category. Maus was also the high point rider of that event. This competition was also held at Stanford University.
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