Horseman's Association - 4:2

NDSU Horsemen's Association:

The NDSU Horseman's Association has been such a joy to participate in these past few years. Currently, we hold the record for the most volunteered hours out of any group or club on campus, and I am proud for my 50 hours of service per semester. Our volunteer work consists of bell ringing for the Salvation Army, hosting a 3 day horse camp at our barn for aspiring riders, and volunteering for 4H competitions, hosted on home turf. It is a taxing club to be invested in, but the horses make it all worth it.

Besides the volunteering, we also compete. Currently, we have two teams - Western Pleasure and Hunt/Jump. I ride for the western team. Besides our home show once per year, the team usually travels to various locations in Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin to compete. The shows usually judge how well a rider can ride when placed on a horse they have never ridden before - it's all about good communication, confidence in oneself and teamwork.

Show days usually start around 5 a.m. and end around 11 p.m. Everyone gets up, gets ready with our hair and makeup and we head out to the barn where we will compete at from our hotel. Once there, some volunteers are out "warming up" the horses that will be used for the day, by riding them around and stretching them out. All team members from different universities watch carefully for horses that are listed in their skill division, as it could be a potential horse they have to ride for the day. Once all the horses have been ridden and observed, the draw comes. Team captains make their way down to the barn office and pull horse's names out of a bucket to correspond with their team members' names. The horse and rider combos are then read aloud, and everyone mentally prepares for their ride. Then the competition begins. After all is said and done, we head back to our hotel common room and watch videos of all our rides, and the rider being showcased presents their ride and everyone critiques the duo as to further improve the next ride. We eat, go to bed and repeat the next day.

This club has taught me the importance of bonding, communication, dedication and teamwork. I truly believe I am a better person because of it and I cannot wait to see where the future takes me in this field.