Truman State University Equestrian Team welcomes both casual and competitive riders. We have team members whose first ride took place at evaluations and team members with extensive previous showing experience. While many of our riders ride before joining the team, no previous horse experience is required.
The team rides both English and Western and competes on teams for both Hunt and Stock Seats in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) show circuit September through May. Both teams compete as part of IHSA Zone 7, Region 5.
We travel throughout Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa with a few trips farther North or South depending on the season schedule. Because horse shows are held on weekends, most of our riders do not miss classes for competitions.
The team practices at the Truman State University Farm in the evenings Monday through Friday. We offer beginner practice during the week offering small groups with a lot of individual attention. Generally, practices are open for everyone; however, we close practice one week before a show to allow those competing exclusive attention. When the show season gets going, we sometimes hold morning practices and weekend practices. Practice is never mandatory; although, those attending shows must attend multiple practices in the two weeks prior to the show.
The University Farm is home to more than twenty horses, some retired and some in our riding program. Many of our horses were born and raised at the University Farm, but we do have some that were not.