The University of Alabama’s newly established eventing team is providing horse-loving students a community to call their own.
Eventing, a form of equestrianism, involves a single rider on horseback performing in areas of dressage, stadium jumping and cross-country racing and is commonly held over a three-day period.
Before the UA equestrian team was founded in 2010, the University did not have any programs available for those who were passionate about equine activities. Recently, one student decided she wanted to add eventing to the growing list of equestrian opportunities on campus.
“I got the idea after the University of Georgia got a lot of publicity on starting [an eventing team] that became so successful just a year ago,” Lizzie Walters, president of UA Eventing, said. “I decided to start the process in September of 2013, and we were approved by November.”
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The eventing team has been a long-awaited opportunity for horse lovers at The University of Alabama, including long-time rider Meagan Majchszak. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native said she jumped at the opportunity to get back in the saddle and to be around horses again.
Majchszak said she considers the camaraderie within the group to be an invaluable part of her time in college.
“My freshman year, I had trouble finding other horse-loving friends and really missed the horse community that I had at home,” Majchszak said.
Fellow UA eventer Whitfield Broughton said she is equally grateful for the community the club provides.
“My favorite part of the team is the network we have created,” Broughton said. “There are so many more people to go to shows with now, and that always makes it more fun.”
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The club works out of multiple barns in Tuscaloosa, including Timber Acres Ranch and Harper Farms. Majchszak said students who are interested in getting involved do not have to own a horse, and there is no competition experience required. She encouraged anyone interested, regardless of skill, to get involved.
“I would recommend UA Eventing to anyone who is already involved or just interested in learning more about horses,” Majchszak said. “We are a very friendly bunch and accepting of riders from all disciplines, and we are eager to meet more people who share our love for horses.”
For now, Walters and the UA eventers said they are looking forward to making their first debut as a team in April, where they will compete against other collegiate teams, including Georgia, Clemson and Auburn.
The club will hold a schooling show as a fundraiser in March. For event details and information on how to get involved, students can visit the Facebook page, UA Eventing.
(See also “Equestrian club continues to progress, grow“)
