WHO CAN JOIN? Whether you’re a beginner rider or an A-circuit veteran, moving to New York doesn’t mean you have to give up horses! CUEC welcomes all levels of riders from beginner walk-trot to seasoned hunter-jumper competitors and dressage riders. Undergraduates from Barnard, SEAS and Columbia College, as well as graduate students and GS students and Columbia faculty are welcome to join. Alumni are also able to join if a Dodge Fitness Center Membership is purchased.
WHERE DO YOU RIDE? The team practices at the Garret Mountain Equestrian Center in West Paterson, New Jersey. The facility is located about 45 minutes away. Transportation to lessons is provided.
WHAT DOES IT COST? Members are required to pay team dues of $80 once per semester. Lessons are a separate expense.Lesson packages of 10 lessons are available for $430. Lessons are mandatory twice a week and you will be billed for lessons missed without 24 hours notice in advance. For those interested in tightening up their flatwork independently extra lessons can be scheduled. There is a yearly IHSA membership fee of $30. Also we are now asking all members to sign up with the USEF for insurance coverage, a fee of $25 annually.
DO I NEED MY OWN HORSE? IF I HAVE ONE, CAN I BRING HIM? You certainly don't need a horse to be on the team, and in fact, IHSA shows are completely on barn-owned horses! Boarding is available at Garret Mountain if you do have a horse and would like to bring it.
WHAT ABOUT SHOWING? Undergraduate riders of all levels must participate in ALL ten IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) regulated horse shows, culminating in Nationals in May. Graduate students, faculty, and alumnae/i are eligible to compete in the IHSA only if they were members of the IHSA in their undergraduate years. In addition to IHSA shows, there is an Ivy League Invitational in the spring.
CAN I BE RECRUITED? Hold those videotapes! While we'd love to see them, until we gain varsity status, we have no sway in athletic recruitment/admissions process.
WHO'S WITH US AT THE HORSE SHOWS? Our coach Penny Kinnally will accompany us to all shows.
