No Horsing Around

While the UConn athletic department's football and basketball teams may grab all the headlines, the school fields a wide array of competitive teams in often less-recognized sports.

Among them, the UConn equestrian team is determined to show they're no less passionate or winning than them. The group most recently competed in a show held in the Horsebarn Hill Arena Saturday.

The show - which was free for students to attend - was sanctioned by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), and drew competitors from nearly a dozen surrounding schools. About 250 students were judged on their riding form through a variety of exercises - trotting, cantering and jumping inside the arena's indoor, but chilly dirt ring.

"Last year we were the reserved champion [runner-up] in the whole region," said Amy Kriwiski, an 8th-semester animal sciences major who competes with the team and helps instruct other students. "This year we've won one show and been reserved champ in three."

Riding is an intense physical competition during which riders are judged based on their poise, rhythm and ability to control their horses, Kriwiski said.

Riders aren't allowed to bring in personal horses or gear - a rule the IHSA says allows the organization to be more inclusive of those who can't afford the steep upkeep required to care for a horse.

In Saturday's show, UConn had a "big advantage" because the only horses used in the competition were from the school's barn, but Husky competitors will use unfamiliar horses themselves when they travel to other shows.

Kriwiski says she's excited about UConn's odds this season, especially as "star rider" Tara Lynch currently leads all other riders in UConn's IHSA region.

One change for the team this year was the introduction of a new head coach, Elizabeth Rademacher.

Rademacher is originally from New Mexico. She says she applied to the job on whim, "not expecting to get it," but then found herself "very impressed" with UConn's equestrian program when she traveled to the school during her interview process.

She was most impressed by the depth of the knowledge of UConn's riders and other equestrian staff, but also credits the university for so actively supporting the team with facilities and equipment.

Rademacher said the move has been a major transition - not only for her, but also for her husband and two young sons.

Still, she says the move was worthwhile - welling up with pride as her riders compete.

"I have a really fantastic team," she said. "It's great to see them riding so well during the show."

UConn's equestrian team - today comprising of about 30 riders - has grown alongside the IHSA, Rademacher says.

The IHSA's founder and executive director, Bob Cacchione, says he remembers starting the organization, as a college student himself, in 1968 with the help of a professor. At the time, the group had only six riders - today it has over 7,700.

"I never imagined it would be as huge as it is today," he said, pointing out the two gold medals IHSA riders won in the Athens Olympics.

Cacchione feels that what's helped the IHSA grow over the years is its spirit of inclusiveness, supported by the low cost of competition and the diversity of levels riders can compete at. Further, he says that strong support from IHSA alumni members helps build membership and also illustrates the collegiate value of equestrian competition.

"To see these kids - what's so great is the camaraderie," Cacchione says. "Once the students graduate, whether they stay in the horse industry or not, the knowledge and camaraderie they take away are invaluable."

Both Cacchione and Rademacher said they see involvement in the IHSA at UConn continue to grow.

"I'm looking forward to continuing the legacy of a terrific equestrian team," Rademacher said.

Contact James White

at James.White@UConn.edu.