CMU Equestrian Club

Story by: Alivia Cranick

Photos by: Ava Harmon

For students who are interested in horses, the CMU Equestrian Club offers a unique opportunity to ride, compete and find a sense of community.  

“The main goal of the equestrian team is to bring in a friendly community of college students into the world of horses,” said Andie Dickson, club president and a junior studying business management. 

The club is open to riders of all experience levels making it accessible to beginners while still challenging more advanced riders.  

“Our mission is accessibility and opportunity for everyone,” Dickson said. “We let everyone with any level of experiences ride during our practices.” 

The team is split into two groups: Western and English, also known as stock and hunt seat. Practices take place at two different barns – Sunshine Farms in Bay City and Crazy Acres in Wayland – which can make it harder for some students to get involved.   

“With practices being so far away, it can be harder for beginners to get started, but it is entirely possible,” Dickson said.  

Despite those challenges, the team continues to grow and includes riders with a wide range of backgrounds, from 4-H competitors to those with national-level experience.  

The team competes through the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association. Unlike many other equestrian events, riders don’t compete on their own horses. Instead, they draw a horse at random and compete without a warm-up. 

“Everyone in IHSA draws straws at the competition and we ride the horse we draw,” Dickson said. “You are judged based off of you, not necessarily the horse.” 

This year, the team reached an important milestone by sending three riders to regionals – something that doesn’t often happen for the club.  

“In the past only one rider makes it, but we were able to go and support each other,” Dickson said.  

As a club sport, the team does not receive funding from the university, which creates financial challenges for members. Riders typically pay around $100 per competition in addition to travel costs.  

“The biggest challenge we face is financial stability,” Dickson said.  

Even with those obstacles, the club offers more than just riding experience. Members build friendships, develop leadership skills and connect with others in the equestrian world.  

“Our members gain friends and leadership experience when joining the club,” Dickson said.  

Looking ahead, the club hopes to grow its presence on campus and gain more recognition. 

“We want to grow, thrive and we want to make it past regionals for years to come,” Dickson said. 

For Dickson, and the rest of the team, the goal is simple. Keep building a welcoming space where students can get involved in the sport and continue pushing the program forward.