Are you interested in joining the Calvin Equestrian Club but feel that you lack adequate experience? Not to fear! The Equestrian club is comprised of students who range in skill level but share a common passion for horses and riding.

If you are not interested in competing, you can jump into volunteer work! Experience is not necessary for volunteering, as fellow members can teach you everything you need to know. The team volunteers at The Barn for Kids several times a year where they can be found mucking out stalls, brushing horses and cleaning up the pasture.

Competing equestrian members dedicate numerous hours throughout fall and winter to their sport. The season begins in October and continues through February.

The team competes in the region four zone six IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse ShowAssociation) circuit with other schools including the University of Michigan, Ferris State, Central Michigan University, Albion College and Grand Valley State University.

A typical competition day begins bright and early as the team heads off at 4 a.m. A horse is selected for each member to compete with by drawing horses’ names randomly out of a bucket. Riders have no experience on their horse before competing and are judged solely on their ability to ride the horse they are matched with. In addition to competing, team members are able to connect with fellow horse-lovers and enjoy team comradery. Competitions often involve staying the night in a hotel.

You do not need to own a horse in order to join the team and compete, and team captains work hard to keep competition costs as affordable as possible. If you haveany questions regarding the equestrian student-led organization, contact

Competition Team Captain Sarah Ball at [email protected].