Hunter

• ​In order to be eligible to compete on Tech's IHSA hunter riding team, an individual must be enrolled in an equitation class. The equitation classes are part of the Animal and Poultry Sciences Department and are taught by our coach Beth Sheely. The classes cost $1240 per semester and meet twice a week. Students have lessons on different Virginia Tech horses and work on the flat and/or over fences to improve their equitation. There is also an option to take the classes without joining the riding team.​

​
​​​Requirements for Team Members: 

• Register with IHSA and pay their membership dues.
•   Attend all Equestrian Club meetings, with two excused absences and complete  your points requirements.
• Attend mandatory events which include being active on at least two committees for each show.

 
Any conflicts with attendance should be emailed to your team captain and coach beforehand or you are considered unexcused. If deemed appropriate in the eyes of the coaches and captains, make up work may be assigned, or the event will be excused.

Classes:

• IMPORTANT: No one can ride without attending an orientation and submitting:
  1. Signed Waiver
  2. RS Medical Information Form
  3. Copy of front/back of your insurance card
  4. IHSA Contract for Hunter Team
  ​
  Please remember that you must turn these forms in at orientation AND tryouts. Please see the forms page for additional forms needed to ride in a class. All of the orientation sessions will be in the classrooms of the Alphin Stuart Livestock Arena.​​
  
  

Western

• The VT Western Team is hosted at Shadow Valley Performance Horses, owned by coach Katrina Williams. The VT Western Team is open to all levels of riders, no previous experience necessary. Our wonderful group of team horses provides students with riding opportunities in various levels of western horsemanship, ranch riding, and reining. Team members also show through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and compete against other colleges in our region!
  
  Ways to get involved in the Western Program Join the Team!
  • Tryouts are hosted at the beginning of each semester 
  • Team Member Responsibilities
    • 2 lessons per week
    • 1 practice ride per week (Fridays)
    • Care horse tasks 2 times a week 
    • Be a member of the VT Equestrian Club and complete all requirements 
    • Participate in Western team fundraising events 
    • Help with western team-hosted events (scrimmages and competitions)
    • Showing team members attend away-show
    • Be a full-time VT student (at least 12 credits)
    • $1450 for the semester (can be paid in 5 monthly payments)​                                 

Join the Lesson Program!

• Once-a-week lessons ($50)
• No tryout or other responsibilities are necessary

Requirements:

• Team Members are required to be active members of the Virginia Tech Equestrian Club ​
• ​Team Members must complete all the appropriate forms they receive from the manager following tryouts as well as fill out a sports club wavier prior to tryouts.​​                     ​

 ​

Dressage

The dressage team is coached by Beth Sheely on campus. In order to be eligible to compete, riders must be enrolled in a riding class that meets twice a week as a part of the Animal and Poultry Sciences Department. Contact the team managers for more information about the team!
Requirements

• Register with IDA and pay membership dues
•  Active member of the Equestrian Club: Meaning paying dues ($50/year) and completing the club contract on time (By the end of the second club meeting of the semester)
• Attend all Equestrian Club meetings with two absences excused and complete your hour/points requirements.
• Show costs will include a $35/test, and $25/DSE class (if offered). Each rider only rides one test and in one DSE class MAXIMUM (if offered) at each show.

Classes
IMPORTANT - No one can ride without attending an orientation and submitting the following at tryouts and orientation.
1. Signed Waiver
2. Medical Information Form
3. Copy of front/back of your insurance card
4. Dressage Team Contract

​​