Jumbos on horses

While it is the Tufts way to swear allegiance to a giant elephant, there are some on campus who find another four-legged creature suits them. While Jumbo brings to mind an intimidating beast, the Tufts Equestrian team competes on the backs of beauties. Horses are the animal of choice for these riders. With the Show Season underway, the squad is hoping it can build upon the success of the last few years with strong performances both this fall and in the coming spring.

The team made up of both men and women had its first show season in Hanover, MA this past Saturday. It finished fourth out of ten schools, which included BU, MIT, Harvard, UMass-Dartmouth, Endicott, and Stonehill, among others.

"We did pretty well. It wasn't the best that I've seen, but it was a pretty solid performance overall," senior co-captain Ellie Langevin said. "The majority of our freshmen placed 3rd place or above in their respective events, so we were pleasantly surprised."

Among those freshmen who contributed were Kate Stewart and Andrea Savage, who were seeing their first actual show experience with the team. The newcomers as well as the returning riders will be expected to step up and carry the load after nine of last year's team members graduated following a second place finish at Regionals. Included in that graduating class was Hally Phillips, who won the Chaccione Cup three years ago. This is the highest individual award in collegiate equestrian.

While some may believe it is the horse that does all the work and that there can't be much skill involved, the contrary is actually true, Langevin says.

"At a show, you draw a random horse, so that's where you can separate the good riders from the great ones," Langevin said. "Anyone can be great on a $50,000 horse, but being able to maintain control of an excitable horse is the challenge. We are basically competing with new horses as well as against new horses every time."

The dedication and time the team puts in is especially noteworthy. The "home" stables are almost an hour away in Apple Knoll Farm in rural Millis, MA. It is required for each of the nearly forty-five members to go there at least once a week, but those who are in the shows will go up to three or four times a week to prepare for the weekend. The team started near the end of September and will continue until the middle of November. They then have a whole other season in the spring, where just as many newcomers arrive as did in the fall.

"It takes up three and a half fours of the day, if you include the ride down. But it's totally worth it if you're passionate and willing to sacrifice that free time," Langevin said.

While many of the riders have been honing their riding skills for many years, there are certainly those on the team who came to Tufts new to the world of equestrian sporting all together.

"Some of the team had never been on a horse before freshman year. Others have been doing it for nearly our whole lives. We are all across the board as far as levels of experience go," Langevin said. "But for competition, the less experienced walk/trotters are as important for us as the jumpers. All the points matter the same amount."

But the Equestrian team does more than just ride horses together.

"We go skiing and snowboarding together up at the Tufts Lodge at least once a winter, if not more," Langevin said. "During the week at the farm, we connect with each other. Both of my roommates I met through the team, so we definitely have a lot of bonding time."

The team travels to the Stonehill College Horseshow in Hebron, CT this weekend.