There are 34 club teams that currently maintain membership at Grand Valley State University. The equestrian club is the only of which that allows members with four legs to participate.

Currently 30 members strong, the equestrian club is compartmentalized between two distinct teams – stock (western style) and hunt (English style). Together they meld to create one of GVSU’s more successful, yet relatively unknown programs.

Both teams compete in zone 6, region 4 of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, one of the largest regions in the country that is comprised of 13 teams, mostly in-state, including Central Michigan University, Western Michigan University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Hillsdale University and Saginaw Valley State University and close to 300 riders. Last year the stock team came in second in the region by a one-point margin, while the hunt team took the region outright. Much has remained the same in 2013.

The stock team already has a first place region finish in hand after a close finish over Michigan State in last weekend’s regionals. Now they have their eyes set on New York for this year’s semifinals.

Sophomores Stephen Erdman, Skylar Welti and senior Maria Kirch all qualified individually, as did the team, and if they place top four or better in competition, they’ll advance to nationals.

For stock team captain junior Kayla McKay, who was selected as the Team Open Horsemanship rider representative in New York, it’s an opportunity unlike any the club has seen before.

“The main goal left to accomplish is to have a great showing at semifinals,” McKay said. “GVSU has never made it to nationals and with the strong team we are sending, this could definitely be the year.”

The hunt team will compete in regionals next weekend at the University of Michigan’s Willowbrooke Farm in Ann Arbor and will look to place a few qualifiers of their own. Twelve girls have already qualified for competition and if they finish in the top two in each of their divisions at regionals, will proceed to zone finals.

Among the 12 qualified is senior team captain of the hunt team, Merdith Welsh, who is currently tied as the high point rider in the region.

“I would definitely say in Meredith’s case, to be the top rider in the region is a big deal,” said head hunt seat coach Kris McAfee. “That’s four years of hard work and I think that’s a great accomplishment. It’s hard to be the top rider, especially being a senior.”

Throughout the coming weeks, preparation will involve spending lots of time in the saddle, both keeping in top riding shape as well as practicing patterns. As in any other sport, the more time invested, the more natural the process becomes.

As strong and completive of a program as the club is, it is worth noting that it is also one of the most equitable on campus. Both male and female participants compete on equal plains and no willing prospective rider is turned away.

“A lot of people don’t realize that you don’t have to be an experienced rider to join the team,” McAfee said. “They have divisions that are for beginner riders. We have people that have never ridden before that join the team. We teach them how to ride and then they get to show.”
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