<p>I am considering applying to UVA as a transfer student for next year. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience w/ the equestrian team? I'm considering a few other colleges (UNC Chapel Hill, Vanderbilt, W&M, JMU) and very interested in joining/trying out for the team. I do not come from a lot of money but worked as a working-student at a barn in exchange for lessons and travel to some local shows while I was in high school, so I do have experience, but I was never part of the showing-every-weekend-on-my-$100,000-horse crowd. Would I have a chance/be welcomed, do you think? </p>
<p>Horse people aren’t always monied, really only a fraction are. For everyone with a large farm there are dozen who earn their keep mucking stalls and taking care of the horses. In some cases its just a question of compromise. The woman who taught me to ride had a half dozen beautiful hunters but that left her with little money for anything else. Her house was run down and I’m sure most of her clothing came from Goodwill. She loved riding though so it wasn’t even a choice.</p>
<p>On the other end we always made fun of the newcomers who had more money than sense. They’d buy these powerful hunters that they had no earthly business riding. These ‘country gentleman’ usually ended up in the ditch before the hounds had even caught the scent.</p>
<p>Hopter - are you working? If not, I’d suggest getting a work-study job if you qualify, and if not, find something off campus. If you found something around $9-$10 an hour, maybe 10-15 hours a week, you could probably scrounge up the funds. :)</p>
<p>Also thank you Dean J and everyone else for your responses. Makes me feel much better and I am very excited now. Although I’m technically still a hopeful, I am trying to think positive when I say I can’t wait to be at UVA next year!</p>
<p>Hi, I was also wondering about the team. I am a senior applying to colleges this fall and I really like UVA. I had the same concerns and these posts made me feel better!
I have another question though. I know they don’t have tryouts, so I was wondering how big the team is. I am relatively experienced (I compete locally and jump 2’6" to 3’), will I get a chance to show? I understand if I don’t really get to freshman year, I just don’t want to be showing for my first time senior year! Thanks!</p>
<p>I can’t possibly see how horseback riding is useful in real life to be worth all that expense. Biking? Yes. Running? Yes. Swimming? Yes. Even crew or sailing? Yes. But would you ever horseback ride from Charlottesville to DC?</p>
I actually talked to my neighbor a couple days after this thread was started about this. She said that the team is large, but that not all compete regularly. I think it really depends on skill and interest. Some are members to continue with lessons and enjoy the camaraderie that comes with being on a team. </p>
<p>I’m sure a member would be happy to answer more questions: <a href=“mailto:variding@virginia.edu”>variding@virginia.edu</a></p>
<p>Hi,
Charlottesville is a pretty expensive place to live, especially to board a horse, but if you have the passion to ride, its totally possible! Most barns are willing to let you work off board/training expenses, which makes it possible for me to continue riding. UVA has three equestrian teams; the IHSA hunter jumper team, the polo team (which is national champions), and the new Eventing & Dressage Team. The IHSA riding team has lessons twice a week, early mornings, and they go to a lot of shows. But only a few select members get to actually compete.</p>
Makes me feel much better and I am very excited now. Although I’m technically still a hopeful, I am trying to think positive when I say I can’t wait to be at UVA next year!</p>