April 11, 2016 
On Saturday, April 9, for the first time in ten years, the University of Vermont Equestrian Team qualified for Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) Nationals, which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on May 5-9. Since 2006, many individuals from UVM have qualified—but this time we go as a team.
© Alex Carlton
What do you get when you take a bunch of talented college kids, a love of horses, an exceptional coach, and some determination? Magic.
If I told you I saw this coming at tryouts this year when I watched this group of riders get on our toughest horses and make it look easy, you might not believe me. If I told you I saw it coming when I said we were going to get up for strength training at 6:15 A.M. on Thursdays and no one questioned me, you might begin to get the idea. But really, when we earned a perfect scorecard at our last fall show at Dartmouth College—that is when I knew that this dream could truly become a reality. I have never seen a group of people work so hard to reach a goal, and I have never been so proud.
Coach Madeleine Austin is no stranger to IHSA Nationals. In her 26-year tenure with UVM she has qualified numerous teams and individuals for the most prestigious event in IHSA, but UVM has not qualified for team competition since 2006.
© Alex Carlton
A Grand Prix dressage rider, Coach Austin’s greatest asset as a teacher is her ability to spot raw talent and build confident and skilled riders quickly. Her expertise and attention to detail are just a few of the reasons she has coached so many successful teams. I have been to IHSA Nationals twice as an individual, but to go as a senior with a team in tow is going to be a completely different experience. Only sixteen hunt seat teams from across the country qualify.
We’ve done the hard work required to get past the Zone Championship, but we have one more challenge ahead—finding the funding to get us to Kentucky. The University of Vermont is proud of our accomplishment and will help as much as they can to get us there. Budgets are tight, so in addition to no-stirrup lessons and more 6:15 A.M. workouts, we will be seeking donations and fundraising tirelessly to help us get to Kentucky. This is just another challenge that together as a team we will overcome. I am extremely excited to see what the next month brings.
To follow Alex’s IHSA team, check out their Facebook page and Instagram!
About the Author
Alex Carlton has been an avid hunter/jumper rider for as long as she can remember. A senior at the University of Vermont, she is a co-captain of their IHSA team. She competes in intercollegiate competitions as well as horse shows up and down the east coast.
