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The Student Experience
Weekly Lesson
Small groups organized into Lesson Pods on a semester basis with a reoccurring weekly ride time which can vary from morning to late afternoon based on students' class schedules.
Equipment & Tack
Riders bring their own helmets & boots, plus show clothes when applicable. Personal saddles are optional (provided they fit school horses). All remaining tack is provided.
Horse Shows
Twice a semester, this is a weekend affair for the team to travel within the Region & compete against other IHSA teams.
Group transportation is coordinated for riders & horses.
Transportation
Group transportation is coordinated from campus to/from the barn by lesson pod. If there is any wait time at the barn, riders have access to the Lounge equiped with study space & wifi.
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The Student Experience
Frequently Asked 💬
The Vanderbilt Equestrian Club Team has been active previously, first joining as a member university of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) in 2003. The program was established and managed by several Middle TN area trainers before becoming dormant in 2022.
While Vanderbilt graduate and professional students are not eligible to participate in the IHSA team, they are a welcome part of the broader Vanderbilt Equestrian community.
Schooling days & hack passes are available for enrolled graduate and professional students during the academic year. This is for experienced riders only, defined as individuals who can tack up independently, WTC with leads/diagonals. Jumping optional, but note all school horses do not jump higher than 2'6". This is a semester long commitment with fees due at the beginning of each semester.
Plus, all graduate and professional students may join us for quarterly social events & bi-annual Horsemanship Clinics.
Beginner through experienced English riders are welcome to tryout for the team. Even beginner riders will be expected to horse show as classes at IHSA range from Walk Trot to Open Over Fences. We will accept a limited number of riders across all experience levels each academic year. Vanderbilt only offers a Hunt Seat team, we unfortunately do not offer Western riding at this time.
IHSA teams provide all tack and necessary equipment for the horses. Riders are responsible for providing their own helmets, boots, riding pants, and when applicable show attire. Riders' helmets and boots must adhere to USEF safety guidelines.
During lessons, personal saddles are welcome & may be used by riders, provided they safety fit their assigned horse.
Riders are required to ride at least once per week during the academic year, excluding school breaks. Riders should budget approximately 2.5 hours per ride, which includes commute time (30 minutes each way) plus tacking/grooming and ride time. There are opportunities for additional riding opportunities, both hacking and lessons.
We strive to conclude the fall & spring semesters prior to Finals Weeks. However, in the spring points-eligible riders may compete at Regionals, Zones, and/or Nationals which may conflict with Study Weeks.
Horse Shows are often a weekend-long commitment. We plan to attend and/or host four shows per academic year (two each semester).
Group transportation, including pre-paid rideshares and carpooling will be provided to and from each lesson. Group transportation will also be arranged to each horse show.
Riders with their own transportation are welcome to use it and are eligible for car pool incentives if they commit to driving members of their Lesson Pod each week.
The goal for the 2025-2026 academic year is to participate in approximately two horse shows per semester. These are normally weekend long time commitments. Transportation & accommodations are provided for competing riders.
Vanderbilt will compete in IHSA Zone 5 Region 1.
Club dues are billed per semester, they are inclusive of weekly riding lessons, transportation to weekly lessons, plus transportation, entry fees and trainer fees for two horse shows per semester. Pricing for the upcoming academic year to be posted shortly.
Additional riding opportunities may be available at added costs and billed monthly. Riders who progress to post-season competition (Regions, Zones, etc.) will be billed per horse show.
At present there are no scholarships available for Club Fees, however it a goal of our Board to secure such opportunities in the future.
School horses will be available that align with the experience and competition level of current roster.
We are actively looking for academic year care leases for qualified horses who can compete up to the 2' and 3'6" over fences. The value of your care lease is tax deductible as Vanderbilt Equestrian is a 501c3. Contact us to learn more.
Maybe. Private boarding for personal horses depends on availability of stalls. Contact us to better understand current openings.
If you would like to donate your horse for an academic year care lease to the team, there are opportunities to do so. Note, in this case, your horse would be fully engaged in the team's lesson program.
We strive to create a curated and connected community. The riding team is a great opportunity for new riders to learn and improve their skillset, plus a way for more experienced riders to remain active during college. It's educational, with Horsemanship Skills Clinics offered each semester with local equine veterinarian and industry experts.
It's networking and professional development with Alumni engagement at quarterly events.
It's a wellness break, get out of the Vandy bubble and away from Midtown, join us out on the farm for fresh air and horses.
It's a balancing act, we do have a Study Lounge with workspace and wifi to help navigate the time constraints of being at the barn. Pop in as needed throughout your time onsite.