Equestrian Club- Stock

Club Information & Plans

Stock Team

  • Coach: Erica Vickers
  • President: Cassandra Conn
  • Vice President: Whitney Boerman
  • Financial Officer: Olivia Smith
  • Fundraising: Sylvie Haywood
  • Public Relations: Lilly Urban
  • Membership Officer: Hailey Wingard

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, Central Michigan University, Ferris State University, Michigan State University, and Saginaw Valley State University. Our teams currently have nearly fifty members competing between 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 the team competes in Stock Seat (Western).  Each semester we travel to shows hosted by other colleges throughout Michigan.  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, stock shows offer horsemanship, ranch riding, and reining classes.

The GVSU Equestrian Team is open to all full-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

Stock Club Schedule

Date

Location

Hosting School

Team Results

September 22nd 2024 AM

Midland County Fairgrounds

Saginaw Valley State University

Beginner:

Grace Shimunek - 1st

Rookie A:

Ray Whitworth - 2nd

Sarah Brewer - 3rd

Hailey Wingard - 5th

Wyatt Purucker - 6th

Rookie B:

Hillary Howe - 2nd 

Level One:

Kallie Taylor - 2nd

Level Two:

Jenna Arbenowske - 5th

Whitney Boerman - 5th

Sylvie Haywood - 6th

Ranch Riding:

Whitney Boerman - 2nd

September 22nd, 2024 PM

Midland County Fairgrounds

Saginaw Valley State University

Reserve High Point Team

Beginner:

Grace Shimunek - 5th

Rookie A:

Hailey Wingard - 1st 

Ray Whitworth - 3rd

Sarah Brewer - 4th

Wyatt Purucker - 6th

Rookie B:

Hillary Howe - 5th

Level One:

Chloe Coker - 2nd

Kallie Taylor - 6th

Level Two:

Whitney Boerman - 1st

Sylvie Haywood - 2nd

Jenna Arbenowske - 4th

Ranch Riding:

Hailey Smith - 5th

November 2nd, 2024 AM

Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center

Adrian College

Beginner:

Grace Shimunek- 2nd

Rookie A:

Hailey Wingard- 2nd

Sarah Brewer- 3rd

Ray Whitworth- 5th

Rookie B: 

Hillary Howe- 2nd

(Pointed up to Level 1)

Level 1:

Chloe Coker- 1st

Cassandra Conn- 4th

Olivia Smith- 6th

Level 2:

Jenna Arbenowske- 1st

Sylvie Haywood- 4th

Whitney Boerman- 6th

Ranch:

Jenna Arbenowske- 6th

November 2nd, 2024 PM

Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center

Adrian College

Beginner:

Grace Shimunek- 4th

Rookie A:

Ray Whitworth- 3rd

Sarah Brewer- 4th

Hailey Wingard- 6th

Rookie B:

Kayla Baich- 4th

Level 1:

Kallie Taylor- 4th

Cassandra Conn- 5th

Hillary Howe- 5th

Olivia Smith- 6th

Level 2:

Jenna Arbenowske- 1st

Whitney Boerman- 5th

Sylvie Haywood- 6th

Ranch:

Whitney Boerman- 4th

Open:

Hailey Smith- 6th

November 24th, 2024 AM

Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center

All Region Show

N/A

November 24th, 2024 PM

Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center

All Region Show

N/A

January 26th, 2025 AM

Michigan State University Pavillion

Michigan State University

N/A

January 26th, 2025 PM

Michigan State University Pavillion

Michigan State University

N/A

February 15th, 2025 AM

Nancy G. Held Equestrain Center

Albion College

N/A

February 16th, 2025 PM

Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center

Albion College

N/A

TBD

TBA

IHSA Zone 6 Region 4 Regionals

 

March 15th -16th, 2025

TBA

IHSA Western Semifinals

 

May - TBD

Tryon International 

2025 IHSA National Championship Horse Show

 

2024-2025 Roster

Stock Roster

First Name

Last Name

Class

Division

Hometown

Previous School/Team

Sylvie 

Haywood

Senior

Level Two / Ranch Riding

Allendale, MI

Allendale 

Whitney

Boerman

Senior

Level Two / Ranch Riding

Grandville, MI

Byron Center High School

Cassandra

Conn

Junior

Level One

Lake Orion, MI

Lake Orion High School

Olivia

Smith

Junior

Level One

Battle Creek, MI

Gull Lake High School

Hillary 

Howe

Junior

Level One

Custer, MI

Mason County Eastern High School

Hailey

Wingard

Junior

Rookie A

Cadillac, MI

Cadillac Senior High School

Wyatt

Purucker

Junior

Rookie A

Homer, MI

Homer High School

Chloe

Coker

Sophomore

Level One

Hart, MI

Hart High School

Kallie 

Taylor

Sophomore

Level One

Hudsonville, MI

 Zeeland East High School

Lilly 

Urban

Sophmore

Rookie B

Shelby Township, MI

Notre Dame Preparatory

Kayla

Baich

Sophmore

Rookie B

Buchanan, MI

Buchanan High School

Hailey

Smith

Freshman

Open / Ranch Riding

Caledonia, MI

Caledonia High School

Jenna

Arbenowski

Freshman

Level One

Fowlerville, MI

Fowlerville High School

Ray 

Whitworth

Freshman

Rookie A

Springfield, IL

Springfield High School

Sarah

Brewer

Freshman

Rookie A

Blissfield, MI

Blissfield High School

Grace

Shimunek

Freshman

Beginner

St. Joesph, MI

St. Joesph High School

Sarah

Sharp

Freshman

Beginner

Sand Lake, MI

Creative Technologies Academy

Stock Pictures

Social Media

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@gvsustockteam

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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 $500 a year or $250 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. 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 Wednesday nights at 9pm. These are very important for all team members to attend, so please schedule your classes appropriately.

Where do you ride?
 Our stock team trains at Silversands Performance Horses with Erica Vickers, about 10 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!

News

News

GV rowing team celebrates sixtieth anniversary - Grand Valley Lanthorn

GV rowing team celebrates sixtieth anniversary - Grand Valley Lanthorn

GV rowing team celebrates their sixtieth anniversary, an article posted by the Grand Valley Lanthorn.

Sep 19, 2024

Max Schweikert and Trevor Young finish 5th in the Bassmaster College Series

Max Schweikert and Trevor Young finish 5th in the Bassmaster College Series

After qualifying in the 2024 Bassmaster College National Championship, Max Schweikert and Trevor Young finish 5th at the Bassmaster College Series in Saginaw Bay.

Jun 6, 2024

Thrilling Action and Team Camaraderie at the College Club Swim National Meet

Thrilling Action and Team Camaraderie at the College Club Swim National Meet

The College Club Swim National Meet brought together 1622 athletes from 118 clubs, including Grand Valley's Club team, who showcased their skills and camaraderie amidst fierce competition over three days.

Apr 24, 2024

The Laker Dance Team Becomes 15X National Champions

The Laker Dance Team Becomes 15X National Champions

The stage was set in Orlando, FL, as dancers converged at the Orange County Convention Center for The College Classic. Among them, the Laker Dance Team stood poised to showcase their skill and passion in a display of triumph and unity.

Apr 24, 2024

GVSU Club Gymnastics Team Shines at Nationals with Impressive Performances

GVSU Club Gymnastics Team Shines at Nationals with Impressive Performances

Grand Valley State University's Club Gymnastics team dazzled audiences and judges alike at the recent national championships, where their exceptional performances earned them accolades and recognition on both team and individual levels.

Apr 22, 2024

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Team History

TEAM HISTORY

Established in 2005

 



Page last modified December 2, 2024