For many students involved with equestrian sports, the MSU Horsemen's Association provides a chance to learn and grow alongside other riders.
“You really never stop learning. You always have someone with a different experience to help solve the problem,” Environmental economics junior Sara Savoia said.
Savonia, who was been showing horses since she was 12, participated in the recently held MSU Horsemen’s Weekend hosted at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education last weekend, where she continued her growth along with other riders.
The MSU Horsemen’s Association allows students with an equine background to learn about and become involved with Michigan’s horse industry. When the MSU Polo Club was developed, the Horsemen's Association became an umbrella organization to and liaison between the Polo Club, MSU Equestrian Team, the MSU Horse Judging, and, in 2006, MSU Dressage.
The event began Friday with an exhibition polo scrimmage with the MSU Polo Team. Saturday celebrated the Horsemen’s third annual used tack sale along with private clinics open to the public to watch, and Sunday the MSU Equestrian Team performed an intercollegiate horse show between 10 different schools.
Trainers and clinicians assist sponsorship for the MSU Horsemen’s Weekend by donating a variety of horses for use thought all events. Clinicians cater to the needs of the different breeds and disciplines.
Every clinician teaches the equestrian how to solve different or the same problem in a unique way, Savonia said.
Psychology freshmen Megan Snoeyink appreciates the show as her favorite part of the weekend. “We draw what horses we’re going to ride and do what the announcers say. Because it’s Horsemen’s, it’s all based on the riders posture with shoulders back, chin up, looking good and polished.”
The intercollegiate horse show on Sunday begins with each horse rider, at random, drawing a horse to ride.
“With a wide variety of people donating their horses for the day, some horses might be million dollar perfectly trained and others not as much,” Savonia said. “You can’t buy your ride, you could have a bad horse and be a really good rider, or be an inexperienced rider with a really great horse.”
“Not being able to use your own horse levels the playing field.” Snoeyink said.
Civil engineering senior Veronica Crawley utilizes her fourth year on the Horsemen’s team as assistant captain. “It causes me to be more organized and take charge to be prepared for other big events,” she said.
Journalism freshman Whitney Amelia-Pierce found a second home and family among the large community at MSU. Coming from a small town, Pierce notices how diverse and large MSU is.
“My team members are my family at MSU. I’ve made best friends, and I’m really excited to spend three more years with the girls on my team.”
Like any form of art expression, Horsemen’s Weekend is about learning and working on weaknesses.
“I came without a ton of show experience,” animal science senior Katherine Walker said after winning first place in her division. “I have improved a ton over the past three years in MSU Horsemen’s. It shows how far I’ve come and improved. I’m still working on getting my legs back and my positioning. Also being more confident and outgoing.”
