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.
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.
Molly O’Toole, communications coordinator, McMaster equestrian team
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.
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.
Molly O’Toole, communications coordinator, McMaster equestrian team
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.
After disappointing losses against Guelph and Laurier, the women’s lacrosse team looks to bounce back in coming games
On Sept. 10, the McMaster University women’s lacrosse team kicked their season off with a tournament style weekend which saw the Marauders take on the University of Guelph Gryphons and the Laurier University Golden Hawks in Guelph. Despite a strong showing, the team lost both games.
In their first game against Guelph, the Marauders lost with a score of 7-12. The second game of the day against Laurier saw them lose 6-15.
While these results may cause distress, the team is encouraged by their growth so far this season.
One major case of the team’s growth has been second-year player Lexi Sheppard. After a scoreless first season, Sheppard was able to bag four goals in her first weekend for the Marauders, earning her Athlete of the Week honours on Sept. 12.
Sheppard attributes her progress and the progress of the team to support from the university and positive leaders on the field. This year, McMaster also allowed the team to access field time much earlier before the regular season began.
“It was definitely way better than last year because we got way more field time beforehand, so we were able to work as a team more. Whereas last year [the season] was more rushed and we were pushed into it,” said Sheppard.
With women’s lacrosse being an Ontario University Athletics team, there can be many instances of athletes lacking access to facilities and services; such as the school’s High-Performance area, sports medicine services, and outdoor field space. OUA athletes do not usually get first choice access to these services, in comparison with McMaster U Sports teams. However, it seems like the increase in practice is helping the team to build.
“I definitely see us to be building to become a better team with the support of the school,” said Sheppard.
Another driving factor towards growth in the team has been the team captains. Both of this year’s captains, second-year Annika Perrino and fourth-year Cassidy Anyon, have caused a dynamic shift in the team with their presence.
“Definitely what's helping our team are the captains on the team. They really lead by example well and they’re a good positive influence. They make everyone feel comfortable to try even if they’re nervous,” said Sheppard.
Sheppard also attributed their improvements to the positivity and comfort encouraged by Perrino and Anyon.
“My teammates make me comfortable in trying new things. Last year I was kind of shy and didn’t want to be in anyone’s way, but this year they’ve done a good job of making it a comfortable space and causing me to not be afraid to go for it,” said Sheppard.
While the team is evidently growing and becoming better, there is some room for improvement.
The scores indicate that the team especially has space to improve defensively.
“We could work on communicating on defense and making it tighter so you’re always there to support someone. . .Moving forward [the team will be] just working on more of our defensive unit and our team play all around,” explained Sheppard.
If the Marauders can make this improvement defensively and quickly, they will likely be able to improve throughout the season. Combined with the growth of a positive team culture, this might be able to spur the team on for seasons to come.
A quick rundown on intramural opportunities at McMaster and how students can register
On Aug. 28, McMaster Athletics and Recreation released their 2023-2024 intramural sports calendar. The calendar details the many indoor and outdoor sports taking place over both terms this year along with important information about the types of leagues offered, roster requirements, play styles and times of the week that the intramural will run.
The fall semester will include intramurals such as three-pitch softball, flag football and spikeball, kickball, touch rugby, Halloween dodgeball, seated volleyball and fantasy football and NFL picks. Registration for these fall leagues and tournaments runs from Sept. 6-18.
The fall semester will include intramurals such as three-pitch softball, flag football and spikeball, kickball, touch rugby, Halloween dodgeball, seated volleyball and fantasy football and NFL picks.
For the winter, the department will offer intramurals including ice hockey, badminton and cricket and tournaments for three-on-three March Madness basketball, table tennis and wheelchair European handball. Registration for these winter leagues and tournaments will run from Nov. 13-26.
Students are able to join up to one gendered men’s or women’s league as well as an open league with no gender-based roster requirements or a Corec league with sport-specific gender-based roster requirements.
Different intramural styles are also present for students of varying experience levels and desires for competitive play. PlayFun leagues offer an opportunity for both beginners and veterans to participate in intramurals without overly aggressive play. On the other hand, PlayComp leagues are geared towards players who wish for a more intensive and quicker intramural style.
To sign up, students must create an account through the IMLeagues website and select McMaster University as their school. Once students are registered, they can find and join an intramural league by creating a team as a captain and sending invite requests or emails for other members to join.
Once students are registered, they can find and join an intramural league by creating a team as a captain and sending invite requests or emails for other members to join
Students can also sign up as a free agent within a league and division of their choice for members on the site to add to their team. Remaining free agents will be assigned to teams once all of their members are confirmed at the end of the fall and winter registration period.
More information about intramurals can be found through Instagram @macintramurals or on the intramural sports page on the McMaster Athletics and Recreation website.
Exploring the implications of viewing dance as a sport versus an art for McMaster Athletics and Recreation
The recognition dancers receive in the sporting community is contested both organizationally and from the perspective of the general public. Some may view dance as solely an art or form of entertainment. Others might not associate dance with the physical demands sports such as football or basketball demonstrate.
Members on McMaster’s competitive and recreational dance teams often get overlooked in favour of other university athletes. These struggles can be summarized by their classification as a club as opposed to a varsity team under McMaster's athletics and recreation department.
Maddy Arnott, president of the McMaster competitive dance team, acknowledged the artistic components of dance but she also underscored dance’s athletic intensity.
“We encourage all of our dancers and choreographers to be really creative and express your feelings. . . but to an extent, we are very athletic individuals. We train lots during the week and train at a varsity level to an extent, so it definitely has a physical and sport component to it,” explained Arnott.
"We train lots during the week and train at a varsity level to an extent, so it definitely has a physical and sport component to it."
Maddy Arnott, president of the McMaster Competitive Dance Team
Per Arnott, members of the McMaster competitive dance team are expected to undergo at least six hours of training a week, including a one-hour intensive group conditioning class. Dancers also have the option to sign-up and participate in extra dances, which can add up to double this mandatory time.
In preparation for their three competitions in March and end-of-year show in April, extra weekend practices and dress rehearsals contribute an additional layer of responsibility for members.
Even with the difficulty and commitment required by members, neither the McMaster recreational nor the competitive dance team are officially considered varsity teams by the university.
“As a community, it can also be difficult not to have other sports communities or things like that regard you as unathletic or high intensity. . . I do think that it definitely can be discouraging not to have other people view you as an athlete when you do put in that high level of training,” said Arnott.
"As a community, it can also be difficult not to have other sports communities or things like that regard you as unathletic or high intensity. . ."
Maddy Arnott, president of the McMaster Competitive Dance Team
This lack of recognition has significant implications not only for dancers and their identities but also their finances.
The Athletics section on McMaster’s impact donation page allows patrons the opportunity to provide merit-based athletic financial awards for athletes across multiple different sports. Donors may provide one-time or perpetual gifts to various sporting team funds laid out on the website. Neither the McMaster Recreational Dance nor the Mcmaster Competitive Dance Team are among those listed.
According to the McMaster Athletics Eligibility page for student athletes, dance is not officially recognized as either a U Sport or Ontario University Athletics sport. Accordingly, scholarships and financial support for athletes provided by the university are also only offered at the discretion of U Sports and OUA policies.
Within both the OUA model outlining G1, G2 and G3 sports, as well as the Sports Model Framework developed by U Sports, dance fails to match their criteria to be considered a recognized sport.
Currently, both teams primarily raise money through student-led fundraising events to cover their costs. Last year the team organized a Christmas bake sale, a Fun Run, and a sticker sale in support of both Mac Dance and the McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation.
The lack of sponsorship or external backers furthers the funding gap between dance and other McMaster Athletics and Recreation sports. This lack of financial support results in increased payment fees for expenditures such as costumes, competitions and transportation. Alongside impacts to their personal identity, these financial burdens on dancers make their recognition as athletes a critical topic of discussion.
C/O Alora Griffiths (Unsplash)
Want to get more recreational exercise? See what options McMaster has for you!
Following a strange year for sports at schools all around Ontario, COVID-19 restrictions are lifting rapidly province wide. With this comes new opportunities for all students, competitive athletes and amateurs — real amateurs, not Ontario’s definition of amateurs. You can now participate in sports all around campus.
In comparison to the beginning of the year, Mac has opened many additional facilities that you can use at specified times every day, including court usage, the gym, the pools and more.
In comparison to the beginning of the year, Mac has opened many additional facilities that you can use at specified times every day, including court usage, the gym, the pools and more.
For those interested in swimming, there is some great news. McMaster has daily openings at their swimming pool, located in the Ivor Wynne Centre, for all students to experience. There are a total of five time slots throughout the day, from 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. for students to use, each one an hour in duration.
Apart from numerous other intramural programs that the campus has offered through the course of the year, there are still various drop-in opportunities daily. Even with exams approaching, there are still opportunities to drop in and compete. The most common drop-ins are currently basketball and volleyball, located at the Smith and Burridge Gym, respectively. To find the schedules for these programs, you can visit the recreation website.
As we stray away from COVID-19 restrictions, the campus sports program will become more available and open to the student body. There are still numerous programs and facilities — such as the Pulse gym — that can accommodate anyone who wishes to exercise. To keep up with the latest news or any new programs that may become open to anyone, make sure to check in with the Mac Athletics and Recreation website.
