Equestrian Club

Club Information & Plans

Hunt Club

  • Hunt Coach: Chelsea Vickery
  • President: Marisa Scarantino
  • Vice President: Julia Woolman
  • Financial Officer: Katelyn Piesko
  • Public Relations: Kyla Ozinga
  • Risk Manager: Katheryn Solomons
  • Historian: Audrey Seeman
  • Secretary: Elena Tabacaru
  • Fundraising: Elizabeth Kalafut

Team E-Mail: [email protected]

Stock Team

  • Coach: Laura Zemaitis
  • Co-Coach: Katelyn Belcher
  • President: Taylor Kalfayan
  • Vice President: Caroline Barthel
  • Financial Officer: Isabella Miller
  • Fundraising: Gracie Endres
  • Public Relations: Elena Sneed
  • Membership Officer: Aynslee Gavey

Team E-Mail: [email protected]

About Us

 The Grand Valley State Equestrian Teams are a member of Zone 6, Region 4 in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). We actively compete against Adrian College, Albion College, Calvin College, Central Michigan University, Ferris State University, Hillsdale College, Michigan State University, Oakland University, Saginaw Valley State University, University of Michigan, University of Western Ontario, and Western Michigan University. Our teams currently have nearly fifty members competing in either hunt, western, or both disciplines.

 We are a club sport at Grand Valley State University. We are not only a competitive group but a group of horse lovers as well. Team activities include competing at IHSA horse shows, group fundraisers, team dinners, etc. We are open to riders of all experience levels - from national competitors to beginners who want to learn more about the sport.

We compete through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association's (IHSA) horse shows in both the Fall and Winter semesters.  We attend shows, take lessons and participate in other team activities.  At IHSA shows we compete in both Hunt Seat (English) and Stock Seat (Western).  Each semester we travel to shows hosted by other colleges throughout Michigan and even Canada.  The hosting college provides the horses; therefore you do not need your own horse to be a member of the team.  As a rider, you are placed into a level that you compete in based on your experience.  Levels range from walk-trot, for people who have hardly ridden, to open, for those who are highly experienced. Hunt shows offer hunt seat equitation and equitation over fences, and stock shows offer horsemanship and reining classes.

 The GVSU Equestrian Team is open to all full-time and part-time Grand Valley students who are interested in learning more about horses and riding. We welcome members of all experience levels. Members are not required to compete but may do so as a team member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

 Because we are a club sport at GVSU there are no try-outs for the team. However, a simple evaluation ride is required so that the coaches can place you in the proper division for showing.

Team Schedule

Hunt Club Schedule

Date

Location

Hosting School

Team Results

October 8, 2022

Cheff Center, 

WMU

Reserve Champion (2nd Place)

October 22-23, 2022

Cedar Lodge

KZOO

Champion (10/22); Reserve Champion (10/23)

November 19-20, 2022

Willowbrooke Farm

MSU

 

January 21-22, 2023

Willowbrooke Farm

U of M

 

February 4-5, 2023

Foxpointe Equestrian Center

Oakland/Wayne

 

February 25, 2023

TBD

TBD

 

April 1, 2023

George M. Humphrey Equestrian Center

Lake Erie College

 

May 4-7, 2023

Kentucky Horse Park

N/A

 

Stock Club Schedule

Date

Location

Hosting School

Team Results

September 25th, 2022 AM

Midland County Fairgrounds

Saginaw Valley State University

5th Place

September 25th, 2022 PM

Midland County Fairgrounds

Saginaw Valley State University

Reserve Champions - 2nd Place

October 1st, 2022 AM

Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center

Albion

Reserve Champions - 2nd Place

October 1st, 2022 PM

Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center

Albion

6th Place

 

Regional Qualifiers:

Kayelee Dunn (Rookie B)

Caroline Barthel (Ranch Riding)

November 12th, 2022 AM

Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center

Grand Valley State University

 

November 12th, 2022 PM

Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center

Grand Valley State University

 

December 3rd, 2022 AM

Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center

Adrian

Regional Qualifiers:

Taylor Kalfayan (Level 1)

December 3rd, 2022 PM

Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center

Adrian

Regional Qualifiers:

Isabella Miller (Level 2)

January 29th, 2022 AM

Michigan State University Pavilion

Michigan State University

3rd Place

 

Regional Qualifiers:

Gracie Endres (Level 1)

January 29th, 2022 PM

Michigan State University Pavilion

Michigan State University

3rd Place

February 25th-26th OR March 4th-5th, 2023

TBD

IHSA Zone 6 Region 4 Regionals

 

March 25th-26th, 2023

TBD

IHSA Western Semifinals

 

May 4th-7th, 2023

Kentucky Horse Park

2023 IHSA National Championship Horse Show

 

2022-2023 Roster

Hunt Roster

First Name

Last Name

Class

Division

Hometown

Previous School/Team

Marisa 

Scarantino

Senior

Open

   

Julia

Woolman

Senior

Intermediate

   

Elena 

Tabacaru

Sophomore

Open

   

Audrey 

Seeman

Junior

Limit

   

Katelyn 

Piesko

Junior

Pre-Novice

   

Katie

Solomons

Senior

Limit

   

Ella 

Gustafson

Freshman

Pre-Novice

   

Ryleigh 

Harmon

Sophomore

Limit

   

Eloise 

Jackson

Sophomore

Pre-Novice

   

Elia 

Miller

Freshman

Pre-Novice

   

Emily 

Robinson

       

Alexa 

Styranec

Sophomore

     

Kailey 

Turchan

Freshman

Limit

   

Amani 

Jones

Freshman

     

Nicole 

Mazur

Freshman

Pre-Novice

   

Olivia 

Szewczyk

Freshman

Pre-Novice

   

Olivia 

Smith

Freshman

Pre-novice

   

Stock Roster

First Name

Last Name

Class

Division

Hometown

Previous School/Team

Aynslee

Gavey

Senior

Level 2/ Ranch Riding

Clarkston, MI

Michigan State University

Caroline

Barthel

Senior

Open/Ranch Riding

Saginaw, MI

Freeland High School

Cassandra

Conn

Freshman

Rookie B

Lake Orion, MI

Lake Orion High School

Charlie

Crossley

Senior

Rookie A

Plainwell, MI

Lake Michigan College

Elena

Sneed

Senior

Level 1

Traverse City, MI

Albion College

Ella

Brandt

Senior

Beginner

Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Christian High School

Geo

Jones

Freshman

Rookie A

Novi, MI

Novi High School

Gracie

Endres

Junior

Level 2

Grand Haven, MI

Grand Haven High School

Hailey

Wingard

Freshman

Beginner

Cadillac, MI

Cadillac Senior High School

Isabella

Miller

Senior

Open/Ranch Riding

Washington, MI

Stoney Creek High School

Madeline

Vohs

Freshman

Rookie A

Goodrich, MI

Goodrich High School

Maya

Edwards

Freshman

Level 2

Owosso, MI

Owosso High School

Olivia

Smith

Freshman

Rookie B

Battle Creek, MI

Gull Lake Virtual Partnership

Peyton

Murney

Junior

Beginner

Paw Paw, MI

Lawrence High School

Taylor

Kalfayan

Junior

Level 2

Davison, MI

Davison High School

Whitney

Boerman

Freshman

Rookie B

Grandville, MI

Byron Center High School

Wyatt

Purucker

Freshman

Beginner

Homer, MI

Homer High School

Stock Pictures

Stock Team Pictured at Midland County Fairgrounds for SVSU's Show

Stock Team at Midland County Fairgrounds with horses Tex, Blaze, Mercedes, Marv, and Red

Stock Team Pictured at Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center for Albion's Show

Stock Team at Nancy G. Held Center with horses Tex and Lacey

Riders Taylor Kalfayan, Gracie Endres, and Whitney Boerman pictured with horse Ty and his owner Marty Cash

Riders Taylor Kalfayan, Gracie Endres, and Whitney Boerman placed well with Ty the horse and his owner Marty Cash. 

Social Media

Facebook

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News

News

GVSU Laker Dance Team is 12x National Champions!

GVSU Laker Dance Team is 12x National Champions!

The Laker Dance Team earned their 11th and 12th National Championship Titles from The College Classic in Orlando, Florida this weekend!

Apr 10, 2023

Lucas Malloy and Bautista Ballesty are National Boxing Champions!

Lucas Malloy and Bautista Ballesty are National Boxing Champions!

The boys went 5-0 throughout the tournament to bring home the belts!

Mar 26, 2023

Zach Borchardt Takes The Lead in All-Time Franchise Goals for the Men's D1 Hockey Team!

Zach Borchardt Takes The Lead in All-Time Franchise Goals for the Men's D1 Hockey Team!

New Men's Hockey All-Time Franchise Goal Leader!

Feb 18, 2023

Ski and Snowboard Take on Regionals Up North!

Ski and Snowboard Take on Regionals Up North!

GVSU Ski and Snowboard takes on Regionals in the Upper Penisula of Michigan!

Feb 18, 2023

View More News

Team History

TEAM HISTORY

Established in 2005

 

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my own horse to be able to join?
No. In fact, the majority of our team members do not own their own horses. We take lessons on school horses provided by our coaches. At shows, the host school provides the horses.

Do I need to have riding experience in order to join?
No, we have riders on the team from various disciplines and with a wide range of riding backgrounds. Everyone is welcome to join the team, regardless of their knowledge and experience with horses. When it comes to showing, the IHSA offers classes that start with walk-trot/beginner and go on up to open.

How much does it cost to join the team?
Team dues are $120 a year or $70 for a semester for new members, and $40 a year or $20 a semester to be a social member (non-competing). The IHSA also has membership fees of $45 a year. There is also a fee for each member's back numbers ($10 for the Hunt Team for the season, $20 for the Stock Team for the season). Additional fees that team members run into are lessons, entry fees, traveling expenses, hotels, apparel, etc. The team tries to help out with funding as much as possible, but members are responsible for some fees.

When does the team meet?
We have weekly team meetings throughout the fall and winter semesters. They are on the Allendale Campus on Monday nights at 9pm for the hunt team, and Wednesday nights at 9pm for the stock team. These are very important for all team members to attend, so please schedule your classes appropriately.

Where do you ride?
Our hunt seat team trains with Chelsea Vickery at White Oak Farm. It is about a thirty-minute drive from the Allendale campus. Our stock team trains at Red Oak Farm with Laura Zemaitis and Katelyn Belcher, about 15 minutes from the Allendale campus. 

How are the shows run?
When arriving at the show, the team's registration is confirmed. A point rider is selected for each class in the show by the coach - a different rider can ride for points in flat and over fences/open horsemanship and open reining. Although all riders collect individual points, the point rider is the only rider who can collect points for the team. Their points contribute to the overall ranking of the team. While teams are registering, the horses that will be used are warmed up. After all teams are registered, horses are drawn. A description of each horse is posted, but riders are not allowed to school the horse that they have drawn before their class. Riders mount right before their class, as many of the horses are used in previous classes. Rider's team members are allowed to adjust their stirrups, but all other tack adjustments must be done by stewards or the hosting team. A rider will draw twice for flat and over fences/open horsemanship and open reining horses. After the class, riders dismount and hand their horse back to a member of the hosting team.

What are riders judged on?
Riders are judged based on their equitation. Equitation refers to a rider's position while mounted and encompasses a rider's ability to ride correctly and with effective aids.

Are there try-outs to join the team?
Because we are a club at Grand Valley, any full-time student is welcome to join. The teams hold separate evaluations at the beginning of the year to assess members' riding ability and allow coaches to properly place them for lessons and competing.

Do I need my own equipment or does the team provide it?
It is strongly encouraged that all team members own at least a pair of breeches, riding boots, and a helmet for English and jeans and boots for Western. At the beginning of the year, the team usually makes a trip to a local tack store so that beginners can buy the basic equipment they will need. It is suggested that team members own their own show clothes, however, for competitions, it is sometimes possible to borrow someone else's jacket, show shirt, etc.

Tack for horses is usually provided by the host school or comes with the horse we are using for our own shows. However, we may ask if anyone has saddles we can borrow and we appreciate any and all offers!



Page last modified March 20, 2023