Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005
The Westminster College Equestrian team will host 13 colleges and universities at a riding competition Sunday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Little Neshannock Stables.
"Riders compete in Hunt seat equitation on the flat and over fences, with the jumping classes beginning at 9 a.m.," said Evan Garrison, instructor of English at Westminster College and faculty advisor to the team. "Flat classes begin in the afternoon."
The following are scheduled to compete: Allegheny College, Bethany College, California University, Duquesne University, Edinboro University, Mercyhurst College, Penn State Behrend, Penn State Fayette, Slippery Rock University, Seton Hill, West Virginia University, Westminster College, and Washington and Jefferson College.
"Hunt seat is the traditional style of riding inherited from Europe, also called the forward seat," Garrison said. "The flat classes in these horse shows are judged by professional and accredited judges who evaluate a rider's position in the saddle at a walk, trot, and canter. Jumping classes are usually more advanced riders who mount horses they do not know and take the horse over a course of jumps."
The event is free and open to the public, and a concession stand is available. Contact Mary McKinley, owner of the stables, at (724) 946-2399 or e-mail mary@neshannock.com or Dana Roberts, a senior business administration major from Pittsburgh and captain of the equestrian team, at robertdj@westminster.edu for more information. Little Neshannock Stables website is www.equisports.com and it is located one mile east of Westminster.
