The University of Louisville Western Equestrian Team has competed in four shows so far this year, receiving a reserve champion place in one of those shows. Right now the University of Louisville Western Equestrian Team is standing in third place in their region. Several of the team members have advanced up in their rankings. Megan Devine just recently got enough points to move up to the advance division qualifying her for regionals in the novice division. Jennifer Rice, Western Team President, attained enough points to move her up into the open division and qualifying her for regionals in the advanced division.
The Western Team is invited to a invitational at West Virginia University on December 1st. Since it is a team format the team had to choose a rider for each division instead of taking the entire team. The following members will be representing the U of L Western Team at West Virginia University:
Open Reining Jennifer Rice
Open Horsemanship Jennifer Rice
Advanced Horsemanship Megan Devine
Novice Horsemanship Stephanie Mitchell
Intermediate Horsemanship Kristen Lahr
Beginner Horsemanship Allison Belmonte
There are a lot of new team members this year that are just now starting to understand the IHSA format. Coach Rusty Rea thinks all the team members are getting stronger and working together well.
Regional competition is over with for this semester and will continue with a competition in February at Midway College. Coach Rea encourages any U of L under-grad student who would like to join any equestrian team U of L has to offer to go on and do so. That way they would have all winter to prepare.
Besides the Western Team, the University of Louisville also has a Hunt Seat Team, and a Saddle Seat Team. For more information on these teams you can email their coaches:
Rusty Rea, Western Coach: reaqh@yahoo.com
Sarah Younger, Hunt Seat Coach: sarah.younger@yahoo.com
Deaveau Zubrod, Saddle Seat Coach: dzubrod@gmail.com
U of L also has a competitive Polo Club and for information on joining this Club go to their website here.
The U of L Equestrian Teams are organized under the auspices of the Riding & Racing Club. For more information on the Club go to its website here.
Photo: Courtesy of Jennifer Rice
