The equestrian team is a club sport that is co-sponsored by the Student Finance Committee (SFC). Although the team's expenses are subsidized by the SFC, the costs of twice-weekly lessons, entry fees and transportation to meets and practices are substantial. However, teammates are quick to lend riding gear to help subsidize costs and the expense factor hasn't seemed to stop interested riders. This year's roster features riders who entered the sport when they were barely old enough to walk, as well as students who had never ridden a horse before this year. "I think that having such a wide variety of riding ability on our team benefits us both in competition and team unity," said co-captain Judie Zbeda '03. "It's also great to have some men finally joining our team," she added.
Because Amherst has neither a riding facility nor horses and, since no team member boards a horse near school, the team travels twice a week to Biscuit Hill Farm, about 30 minutes away in Shelburne, Mass. At Biscuit Hill, each club member is encouraged to take two lessons a week, which are taught either by coach Annie Reinish '02 or an employee of the facility. The equestrian team is a year-round commitment, with five shows in the fall and at least four more in the spring.
The equestrian team is also unique because it is coached by a current Amherst student. When former coach Tracy Farnam, who also instructed the UMass and Smith College teams, stepped down last year, the team voted for Reinish to take over the job. "Annie has been a great coach both during lessons and on the sidelines at competitions," said Co-captain Leigh Borum '04. "Her knowledge of and experience with riding has benefited our team tremendously and our record can attest to that."
Although the rising popularity of the equestrian club is enough to warrant commentary, it's the team's performance in the past couple of meets that has truly made headlines. For the first time in the club's history, Amherst defeated the infamous Mt. Holyoke team. "Beating Mt. Holyoke was huge and served as an indicator of the progress we've made," said Borum. Besides ousting their rival, the Jeffs also were the high-point champions at their last meet and have already qualified four riders for Regionals later in the season. These accomplishments seem all the more impressive considering that, before last month, the Amherst squad had never won a meet.
At the Mt. Holyoke show on March 3, Emily Eisen '05 took first place in the Intermediate Fences, while Erica Hewes '02 rode to second place in the Open Fences. On the same day, Lizzie Blair '04 earned first place in the Advanced Walk Trot Canter division.
Freshman phenom Eisen was also the reserve high-point rider, meaning she amassed the second most points of any of the 12 teams' riders at the show. Several other Jeffs also turned out strong performances in a number of categories.
This Saturday, look for the Jeffs to continue their string of stellar performances when they host a meet at Biscuit Hill. The competition will feature teams from 11 other schools, including Williams, Springfield and Landmark Colleges.