Equestrian team eager to start the season

The McMaster equestrian team brings experienced riders together to compete in several horse shows across Ontario

The student-run McMaster University equestrian team competes within the Ontario Collegiate Equestrian Association. Since the group was established in 2006, members have been involved with both hosting and attending five horse shows throughout the year in preparation for the OCEA finals hosted at the end of the regular season.  

For practices throughout last year, the team hosted training in the High Performance Area space in the David Braley Athletic Centre along with limited riding practices.

“We work with a barn called Vector Equestrian and they have a really busy lesson schedule for themselves. They very kindly fit us in when they can, usually before big shows. . .Other than that, people kind of have to practice on their own time,” said communications coordinator Molly O’Toole.  

In order to try out to be a member of the team, riders must be able to jump a two foot or larger course, either carry or be willing to obtain an Ontario Equestrian membership and actively be involved in a lesson program through a home facility or Vector Equestrian.  

For team lessons, horses are loaned for use through Vector Equestrian. Along with providing horses, Vector Equestrian also loans saddles, bridles, saddle pads, horse boots, martingales and additional tack out to the team.  

Riders must procure their own riding apparel, riding boots and helmet; however, the team assists in lending or selling their personal show apparel equipment for teammates to use.  

While lessons are not offered for students outside of the competitive roster, the team encourages those with prior riding experience to register for lessons and development programs with Vector Equestrian.  

The team competes in five horse shows across the year against the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University, Ontario Tech University and Brock University in the OCEA’s Central Ontario circuit. Qualifying teams and riders from the Central, North, West and East Zone also take part in the OCEA finals at the end of the season.  

Team members compete in a hunter under saddle class discipline, where riders are judged on equitation, position and technique on a flat course without jumps and a hunter over fences class discipline with several course jumps that are judged on technique and execution. All riders compete on horses donated by hosting schools and private owners for the event.  

“What’s really interesting and unique to the collegiate and university horse showing is that obviously no one owns their own horse. . .You are kind of thrown onto a random horse and have to compete on a horse you haven’t ridden before,” said O’Toole.  

In last year’s OCEA Central Zone standings the team finished atop several categories at the end of season.

Sammy Saunders captured the Open Reserve Champion while Sophia Vetzal and Aislin Osborne took home Intermediate and Intermediate Reserve Champion titles respectively. Other notable finishers include Hailey Kadonoff, who finished in fifth as the top-placing McMaster athlete in the Novice division, and Dana Lin, who received third place in the Entry division.  

The team’s season concluded at the OCEA finals, which were held from Mar. 24-26 and took place at the Royal Canadian Riding Academy in Cedar Valley, ON.  

With a record number of tryouts this year, O’Toole said the team is optimistic that they can build on their previous season’s successes with both new and returning riders on the roster.  

“We’re just looking forward to another fun year of riding and showing. . .Last year the team did really well overall so we’re just hoping to have another great season,” said O’Toole.  

While tryouts for the team concluded on Sept. 5 and Sept. 6, students can still follow along with the team’s season on their Instagram and Facebook. More information can be found about the group on both their personal and McMaster Athletics and Recreation website.