Riders from the Stanford Equestrian Team began early move-in over the weekend of September 15 and returned to the Red Barn on September 17 to begin a week of preseason training before the start of the academic year. Over the following five days, the team will participate in daily practices, fitness sessions, barn work, and clinics with a variety of equine professionals from around the Bay Area. This year's featured clinics include saddle fitting with Chrissy Foley (from Revere Saddlery), Tellington T-Touch bodywork with Richard Newton, and veterinary care with Bayhill Equine's Dr. Kelly Zeytoonian, as well as a tour of Branscomb Farm in Half Moon Bay.
In addition to getting returning members back in the saddle during preseason, the team provides incoming freshmen the chance to participate in a preseason practice session before tryouts on Sunday, September 30. We strongly encourage interested riders with substantive experience to contact team presidents Alina Benavides (alinab@stanford.edu) or Rachel Kolb (rkolb@stanford.edu) to arrange a time to come out and ride around their busy orientation schedules. The team will also be holding an open house on Thursday, September 20, which will be open to all prospective riders regardless of experience level. The open house will feature food and drink as well as the opportunity to meet coaches, fellow riders, and horses while finding out more about Stanford's student equestrian programs.
This year the team is looking for riders in all disciplines (hunt seat, dressage, and western) and from all backgrounds and experience levels. Tryouts will be held on September 30 from noon-2pm at the Red Barn and open to all.
