Fire away because it isn't football

Equestrian Coaches Poll (Sept. 19, 2012)
T1. Georgia (82)
T1. Texas A&M (82)
3. Auburn (63)
4. South Carolina (61)
5. Oklahoma State (57)
6. Baylor (40)
7. Kansas State (35)
8. TCU (31)
9. Fresno State (13)
10. New Mexico State (12)

Fresno State is so overrated. If they were in a BCS conference they wouldn't even be in the top 25.

Do they ride side saddle at Baylol?

[This message has been edited by BizAg83 (edited 9/19/2012 3:08p).]

First 4 are SEC and next 4 are tu12.

5 are currently or were once "Aggies."

I Should Be Working, I think you probably have the best tag on Texags and there are many good ones.

Nice

TCU just lost two riders for the year. Craven Morehead and Wilma Fingerdew have been suspended for a violation of team rules. Rumor has it that they were caught smoking the devil's lettuce. Huge loss!

I do not know much about the sport. Why is the sport not a recognized NCAA sport like gymnastics, rowing, lacrosse? When might it become one

from NCAA website:

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An emerging sport is a sport recognized by the NCAA that is intended to provide additional athletics opportunities to female student-athletes. Institutions are allowed to use emerging sports to help meet the NCAA minimum sports sponsorship requirements and also to meet the NCAA's minimum financial aid awards.

Current Emerging Sports

Equestrian
Rugby
Sand Volleyball

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from National Collegiate Equestrian Association:

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HISTORY
In 1998, Equestrian was classified as an NCAA emerging sport. At that time there were six participating teams (Auburn, Fresno State, Georgia, Oklahoma State, South Carolina and Texas A&M). Today there are currently 23 colleges and universities offering Equestrian as a varsity sport, and more continue to add the program each year.
....
Many people within the horse industry have united together to advance the sport of Equestrian to full NCAA championship status. In order to attain this goal and hold a NCAA sponsored Equestrian National Championship, there must be 40 Division I/II schools that sponsor Equestrian at their institution.

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Thanks... That's interesting...

Is it incredibly expensive to run an equestrian program? I also wonder how much financial return you get from an equestrian program.

Rev_86, It is a loss leader

Sport is expensive but finding sponsors is easier than you would think. Daddy's little girl means valuable donors later on.

And a happy Daddy's little girl means Daddy writes big checks to A&M.

quote:

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This thread has been up for three whole days and no one has actually posted a picture
Further proof that this board blows nuts

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what events do these horses compete in? sprinting, pulling a plow through wet cement? how do you recruit a horse, offer better apples and grains?

a hot number riding on your back!

While it's an expensive hobby, the costly part is purchasing your horse and tackle, then upkeep. Like KM said, moms and dads donate directly to the program. I believe a few years ago we even snagged the #1 rider in America out of the Northeast. The program recruits just like any other sport. I doubt their expenses exceed donations.