Equestrian Teams

Ride for One of Our Nationally-Ranked Equestrian Teams

The equestrian program at St. Andrews isn’t just about classroom learning.

Instead, we strive to give you hands-on experiences that help you develop useful skills. One of these real-world experiences is the opportunity to compete on one of our five equestrian teams in intercollegiate competitions. Whatever area of riding you specialize in, we have a team where you can use your talents and grow your abilities through competition. We have teams in hunter seat, western, ANRC, and show competitions. The members of our equestrian teams not only have fun but also work hard, as four of them are nationally-ranked.

The Accomplishments of Our Equestrian Teams

We’re proud that our equestrian teams are among the best in the nation. You can join us and get in on the fun, competing at the collegiate level and achieving success with your fellow teammates. Read on to learn about the specifics of each of our teams. Together over the years, we’ve has established many titles, including:

  • Six-time American National Riding Commission (ANRC) Intercollegiate National Champions and two-time Reserve Champions
  • Eight-time Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) National Qualifiers – Hunter Seat Team
  • Two-time IHSA National Champions, Reserve National Champions, and 9-time National Qualifiers – Western Team
  • 13-time Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) National Final Qualifiers
St. Andrews Intercollegiate Dressage Team

IHSA Hunter Seat Team

We have an IHSA Hunter Seat Team at St. Andrews, competing in Zone 4, Region 3. We’ve won zone champion in seven different years, including as recently as 2018. In each of these years, we’ve gone on to win the Region and qualified for the National Championships. Many of the members of our team also compete individually in Regional, Zone, and National Finals for IHSA. We’re also proud to host IHSA hunter seat shows throughout the season as well as the Regional or Zone Finals on occasion.

St. Andrews IHSA Western Team Semi-Finals riders 2020

IHSA Western Team

Our IHSA Western Team competes in Zone 4, winning Regional Champion every year from 2005 until 2019. We also qualified for the National Championship Show as a team for 11 of those years, even tying with Berry College in 2016 as National Champions. With a decorated and experienced coach and a driven team, we’re sure to see more success in the future. Our riders also get the chance to participate in the four IHSA Western Shows we host each year.

American National Riding Commission (ANRC) Team

Our riders at St. Andrews participate in the American National Riding Commission (ANRC) Intercollegiate Equitation Championship every year. Split into two levels, a novice division and national division, this competition showcases the most talented college riders. Riders are scored on equitation skills in four phases:

  • Program Ride (includes USEF Hunter Equitation Tests)
  • Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Course
  • Derby Course (natural jumps in a field)
  • Written test based on riding theory and stable management

St. Andrews has won National Champion as a team in six different years as well as Reserve Champion in two. Riders from our program have also won Individual Champion or Reserve Champion 12 times.

Show Team and Schooling Team

Our show team competes at United States Equestrian Federation shows in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, competing in the Adult Hunter and Adult Jumper Divisions. Students who have their own horses are also able to compete in the Amateur Owner Divisions. The schooling team at St. Andrews competes in schooling and regional circuit shows in both North and South Carolina. This team provides an excellent opportunity for novice riders to gain not only experience but also confidence in the show ring and the competition process.

Spring classes begin January 7th!