UMass Western Equestrian Team

UMass Amherst Western Equestrian is a horseback riding team that aims to help its members strengthen their riding skills and fall in love with the Western discipline. We are open to anyone who has a love for horses, whether you’ve been riding since birth or want to try a new hobby. Our mission is to create a welcoming environment where our riders can grow as equestrians and make lifelong friends. In the past couple of years, some of our team members have won high point rider of the day at our shows. We have also had multiple riders qualify for regionals, which requires a rider to be in the top 2 of their IHSA division in the region. Of course, our horses are at the center of our success and are consistently praised by other teams for their gentleness and manners. For the past two years, they have taken home the crown of high point horse.

Under the leadership of Coach Hailey Stebbins, our team has grown from less than 10 members to 27 members in the past few years. We are thrilled that more people are becoming a part of our team; however, we also recognize that we need to purchase more equipment in order to accommodate everyone. Your donation will help us ensure that we have enough brushes and tack to keep our horses happy and our riders furnished. 

Because our team is open to everyone, many of our riders don’t come from a background in western riding. This means that they don’t have the proper clothes to compete in our horse shows. The expenses add up quickly, and purchasing a show shirt, chaps, hat, and buckle can easily be over $500. We want everyone who is interested in competing to be able to, but these prices can be a barrier for college students. Your generosity will help us buy team clothes that everyone can share, so riders don’t have to pay out of pocket and still have the ability to experience showing. 

Even a small contribution can make a huge difference for our team. Your support will help us continue to grow and expand, as well as make our competitions more financially accessible. We believe that everyone should be able to experience the life-changing joy of being on the back of a horse, and your donation will directly help with that. Consider giving today!