Equestrian team finishes third and fourth in recent event

Senior Sarah Tucker is only three points away from moving up a level in the Truman equestrian team.

This weekend, Tucker placed first and fourth in her two stock shows.

"I hope I can point up at our next competition," Tucker said.

Overall, the equestrian team won third and fourth place in a stock show competition hosted by Missouri State University on Saturday in Mount Vernon, Mo. Truman competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. The IHSA has two styles of competitions: stock with a western saddle and hunt with an English saddle. Hunt shows include fence jumping for riders at higher levels.

Coach Meg Sorhus said the team placed against six larger teams despite being 14 points behind. She said the members only represented three of the six divisions and thus stayed behind.

Sorhus said the team has a few people going to regionals in March. If they point up, they might be able to go to nationals in April. Last year the equestrian team sent several riders to nationals. Sorhus said the wins were remarkable because the University only had riders in three of six divisions. The riders do well because of the encouraging atmosphere on the team.

"Everyone just gets along great," Sorhus said. "If anyone comes in with a bad attitude, it's gone real quick, or they're gone."

Sorhus said she anticipates the equestrian team will grow in number because of an excellent executive board and rising interest in horse riding. Prospective students have come to Truman based on how good Truman's equestrian team is.

Sorhus said Truman has not joined the NCAA because it would have to relinquish its value of riding for fun. Men would not be able to ride because of NCAA rules, and the riders would have to stay competitive or leave the team, she said. Also, Truman would have to hire more full-time coaches, enlarge the horse facilities and increase the herd size.

Sorhus said riders at the competition draw a name out of a hat for their horse. Judges score riders on their ability to ride an unfamiliar horse, she said.

Sorhus said the first part of riding that she coaches on is body positioning on a horse. Once riders master that, they then learn to find out what type of horse is most difficult for them to ride, she said.

Senior Josh Schaeffer, president of the equestrian team, said the past week was the team's best performance.

"We've really come a long ways," Schaeffer said. "We have a coach now and a large membership. We compete as top competitors at shows."

Schaeffer said he makes sure members take care of the functions of the team. This year, team works together better.

"Sportsmanship is a big plus," Schaeffer said. "I try to really stress it whenever we go to a show. Socialize with the other teams. Tell them they have done a good job. If you see someone else draw a horse that you had earlier in the day, then tell them what you thought of the horse."

Tucker, who is also treasurer of the equestrian team, said she has ridden horses since she was a little girl.

"It is relaxing," Tucker said. "After a long stressful day of classes and papers, you get on the horse and everything is right with the world. I feel very at home on a horse."

Tucker said women might get higher scores because there are more of them. For every four men there are about 100 women, she said.

Schaeffer said that this weekend was a stock show. Truman will exhibit their hunt show team at Kansas State University on Nov. 5 and 6.