The Kent State Western Team has an open membership policy. This means that as long you have a passion to ride and wish to learn more about horses, you are more than welcome to join. Our team tryouts come in the form of an evaluation lesson with our coaches, Jessica Walker and Danielle Ganoe.

 

We currently ride at Silver Spur Performance Horses in Ravenna, Ohio, which is conveniently less than 15 minutes from main campus.We make an effort to make sure that everyone has a way to make it to a lesson and can arrange for carpooling. However, if you wish to drive yourself that is not a problem.

 

Our members usually take two or more lessons per month, but you are more than welcome to do more than that. Group lessons are $20 for one hour and private lessons are $30. Our coaches also offer monthly lesson packages if three or more students are committed to that deal. 

 

We show through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), which has divisions for very beginners through the most advanced. IHSA is unique in the fact that the host school provides the horses and a rider draws a horse at random for their class. The Western Team competes in horsemanship in all levels and reining is offered for the open division riders. See attached link if you are interested in seeing how one of the shows runs. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiT1-Ofl8wU )

 

Team members are required to participate in fundraisers throughout the year. More fundraising means fewer out-of-pocket expenses for everyone. We do receive some funding from the school but it is never enough to cover all expenses the team faces or to prevent having to pay out of pocket.

 

The university requires that all club sport members are full-time students at Kent State and are academically eligible.

 

 

For information, please email Hunter Johnson at hjohns39@kent.edu.