Most athletes can excel in their sport solely with their own strength and skill. The riders of the Ohio University Equestrian Team, however, must simultaneously cooperate with an animal weighing more than 1,000 pounds.
It's just something about being around another animal and being able to communicate with it
said Kari Besler, vice president of the team. You learn so much patience ... and respect
for the animal and what you are doing.
In order to raise money for their club team, the Equestrian Team is hosting Rent-A-Rider at 9:30 p.m. at the Union, 18 W. Union St. Unlike a conventional date auction, the women will be auctioning off various tasks.
Some women will go on dates, others will do laundry and some are willing to do the required community service of those who buy them, said organizer Chrissy Hunley, a sophomore studying psychology.
We decided to do it because we have a large team - 45 girls and one guy - and it's hard to have fundraising we can all participate in said Katie
Montgomery, fundraising
and community chair for the team.
The team doubled in size from last year, and each rider has a different skill level. Many have years of experience, while others have never ridden before college.
I really like riding because even though it's a team sport it's still about you and how much you put into it
said Montgomery, a junior studying special education. I'm the one who makes or breaks it.
The team has been the champion of its Intercollegiate Horse Show Association for the past three years, and it won the 2001-2002 national championships, Montgomery said.
Each competition, called a show, is divided into two portions: flat and fence.
In the fence competitions, which have far fewer participants, the rider has to guide the horse over a series of fences. In the flat portion, riders walk, trot and canter the animal and are judged based on their technique, Montgomery said.
Most women take lessons twice a week at a barn in Coolville, 30 minutes from campus. The horses are not transported to the shows, so the participants have to be able to ride the horses provided by the host team, Hunley said.
It teaches you to be adaptable
she said. You learn to adjust yourself ... and become a better athlete.
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Lisa Bernheim | FILE
Sara Dzieglelewski shows Indie at the Ohio University horse show Jan. 23, 2010. The OU Equestrian Team is hosting a Rent-A-Rider fundraiser at 9:30 tonight at The Union. (Lisa Bernheim | FILE)
