<p>My rising Sr daughter hopes to ride in college. Cornell is the only school she is considering that has an NCAA equestrian team. The rest are all club teams. </p>
<p>I don't think Cornell recuits for its equestrian team. When we visited Cornell last fall, the team captain told her they hold tryouts in September. </p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about Cornell equestrian? Does she need to register with the clearinghouse if she's a fall walk-on?</p>
<p>I don’t know anything at all about equestrian, but I do believe she has to register with the clearning house if she wishes to compete on an NCAA team. I hope somebody has more answers for you.</p>
<p>She definitely needs to begin the clearinghouse process if the Cornell team is NCAA sanctioned. It takes months for preliminary approval, and it is easier to begin now, so you will be caught up on transcripts, test scores, and eligiblity questionnaires. </p>
<p>The NCAA Clearinghouse site is easy to maneuver and communicates clearly each step needed.</p>
<p>Just to clarify, the clearinghouse is needed for all athletes whether or not they are recruited?</p>
<p>Yes, the clearinghouse issues the eligibility so a student can participate in the sport–whether s/he is a walk-on, or a recruit, or even has an inkling they would like to try out.</p>
<p>There is no commitment that the athlete needs to participate in a sport just because they’ve earned eligilbility. However, since the process is rather time-consuming, it is best to do it long before they arrive at college.</p>
<p>Thanks. I looked on the NCAA Clearinghouse site and Equestrian is not one of the 23 listed sports. Is it possible for a school to consider a sport D1 varsity, but since the NCAA does not regulate the competitions, that you don’t need to register with the clearninghouse? (most college equestrian competitions are governed by the IHSA [Intercollegiate Horse Show Association]).</p>
<p>NJ2011mom - I would contact Cornell coach/captain or Athletic Dept to clarify what is needed for eligibilty as soon as possible.</p>
<p>Thanks. Will do. In 9 days, she will be in Cornell for a 3 weeks summer program. She’s taking her bike, so I hope she will get out to the stable a few times.</p>
<p>nj2011mom - you have a PM.</p>
<p>nj2011- It is probable that the equestrian program is not under NCAA if you didn’t find it listed at the NCAA site. Perhaps Cornell just calls it varsity even though it is not under NCAA guidelines. (Similar to rugby, figure skating, and some crew programs.)</p>
<p>NCAA does have an equestrian component: please see the following website <a href=“http://www.varsityequestria.com%5B/url%5D”>www.varsityequestria.com</a></p>
<p>Sorry, typo above…NCAA’s equestrian website is [Varsity</a> Equestrian - The Official Site of NCAA Varsity Equestrian](<a href=“http://www.varsityequestrian.com%5DVarsity”>http://www.varsityequestrian.com)</p>