Purdue western riders gallop into nationals

By Heather Mangold
City Editor

For the first time, the western riders of the Purdue Equestrian Team are traveling to nationals and they think they have a good shot.

Nichole Buck, Joel Moore, Rachel Boersma, Scott Husband and Kristen Husband will represent Purdue at the Atlanta, Ga., nationals on May 4, 5 and 6.

The team qualified for nationals after participating in regionals and zones. At regionals, the equestrians defeated Saint Mary's of the Woods, University of Illinois, Parkland of Illinois and Ball State University. At zones, Purdue's riders outdid Ohio State University, the University of Finley and the University of Nebraska.

Last year, the western team missed nationals by three points. In 2001, Purdue's equestrian team advanced to nationals by a margin of only two points. Buck and Kristen Husband have competed in nationals before but Moore, Boersma and Scott Husband will be newcomers to the event.

Coach Jerry Steinmetz said he is proud that the team members have come so far.

"It's really exciting that they get to go," said Steinmetz.

Steinmetz said that the group's success will depend on what horses they are given. Equestrian team riders don't take their own horses to shows; the shows provide horses. However, Steinmetz said that this should be no cause for concern.

"They wouldn't get horses that aren't for nationals," he said. "When you go to nationals, you should be able to win with any horse you get."

Steinmetz said that on a scale of one to 10, horses provided at nationals should be at least a seven or eight.

Each rider shows individually and is placed individually. At the end of nationals, individual scores are combined and the team with the most points wins.

One disadvantage that Purdue faces is the lack of time they spend in the saddle, as compared with other schools. Purdue equestrian team riders have only one lesson per week.

"At schools that have an equine major, they ride maybe five times a week," said Steinmetz.

However, time spent in the saddle doesn't have Buck, Moore, Boersma, Kristen Husband or Scott Husband worried.

"I think we have a pretty good shot, but the main thing is just to go down there and have fun," said Kristen Husband.

The experienced equestrian, who has been showing horses since childhood, joined the team after moving to Purdue from her family's farm.

"It was really nice to get off campus once a week and get back with the horses," said Kristen Husband. "It's always been in me to show."

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Purdue western riders gallop into nationals

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