The South Dakota State Equestrian team will start its season with a three-meet series Friday and Saturday.
They will compete against Minnesota Crookston on Friday, then take on the University of Tennessee-Martin on Saturday. UT-Martin also will compete against Minnesota Crookston on Saturday. The competitions will be held at the Dehan Equestrian Center in Brookings.
SDSU’s team has gone through a few changes since last year, and that includes two new coaches. Claire McDowell and Kamerra Brown recently arrived at SDSU and are ready to get started with their Jackrabbit careers.
“Come cheer us on,” McDowell said. “We are right across the road from the football field and you can pet a horse if you show up. Student support means more than you know, and simply showing up throughout the day to cheer on your Jacks would make more of a difference than you know.”
College equestrian competitions feature two divisions:
The English (jumping seat) discipline involves competitors riding horses and jumping over fences and flat riding.
The western discipline involves horsemanship (pattern riding) and reining (spins, tops and circles) riding.
All riders compete on horses provided by the host university or show organizers – not their own. South Dakota State competes in the Eastern College Athletic Conference, where the Jacks finished last season with a 4-9 record.
Elizabeth Wagner, a junior who competes in the jumping seat discipline, said that with the coaching changes over the years the team’s situation could feel inconsistent.
“This has shown the team’s adaptability and willingness to pivot. The many setbacks this team has experienced have pushed them to work harder,” Wagner said.
While the disciplines on the team lost both graduating seniors and transfers going into this season, the fresh start gives them some key driving factors for success. McDowell spoke highly about some of the new additions.
“We have gained some amazing transfers and freshmen on both the jumping seats and western sides,” she said. “I think we are truly set up for success this year with the level of commitment and hard work we have on this team.”
Wagner said she is most excited about showing what she and her teammates are made of and being able to represent the program at the highest level.
“We’ve put in the work, and now it’s time to show it,” she said.
With the number of athletes, scheduling can be difficult. McDowell said the team tries to practice every day for an hour.
“The only way to get better is to practice consistently,” she said.
Brighton McBride, a senior on the western riding equestrian team, said after the team fell short last year in the semifinals, the goal this year is to make it to the ECAC finals. The conference championship will take place this upcoming March 26-28 in Harrington, Delaware.
The team in total will attend five away meets this semester, along with hosting the three meet headers to start their season this weekend. Next semester, the Jacks will be hosting four meets and traveling to two away meets.
