Equestrian

Story and photos by Emily Huynh

Without a doubt, the members of The University of Alabama’s Equestrian team are some of the hardest working students on campus. With two hour practices 2-3 times a week at the nearby Westminster Farm, it’s no surprise that the team as a whole has taken third place and above at each of their shows this year.
In the fall of 2014, The University of Alabama Equestrian team will move from a club sport to varsity level and compete in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association. The club was founded in 2010 and after four years, they will finally be an NCAA recognized sport at UA.
As a club, the team is part of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and regularly competes against Berry College, the University of Georgia and Mississippi State, among others. The UA Equestrian Team welcomes students interested in competing at beginner level through advanced level.
“I’m so excited that the program has grown to such a high level and that we’re getting attention for all our hard work,” said freshman Kimbrell Burnett, who has been riding for 12 years. “When we become an NCAA team, we’ll be able to provide scholarship opportunities.”
In addition, this is the first year that the University has hired a coach for the Equestrian Team. The team has grown exponentially in just the past year, and will continue to grow in the years to come.

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