Equestrian club brings horse riding to Hopkins

When Maya Jabbour and Amy Lee met through therapeutic riding, they both lamented that there was no equestrian team at Hopkins. Lee mentioned that she knew of three horses up for sale.

So they bought them.

That's right. Two college students bought three horses.

"Of all the schools I applied to, Hopkins was the only one that did not have a riding team. That was something I used to look at as a down-side," Jabbour said. "[Then] I got to view this as an opportunity to do something big."

Though the cost of a thoroughbred horse can range anywhere from several thousand dollars up to the equivalent of a Hopkins education, the team has been very fortunate - and frugal.

They negotiated the cost of two horses down to just a few hundred dollars each, and on Wednesday they got a free lease on a fourth horse valued at $40,000.

"Amy knows so many people. She's very well-connected in the horse world," Jabbour said.

Still, the two students are paying for these horses completely out of pocket with no financial support from Hopkins. They hope to get reimbursed through member dues, lesson fees and fundraising.

"It's an investment we made. We knew going in what we're getting ourselves into," Jabbour said. "I've never owned my own horse, so I've been learning about what it takes to own a horse and what it takes to train a horse."

Jabbour has been riding since she was eight, but was not heavily involved in competitions, preferring to spend time working at horse camps and leading lessons. This has helped her out with the Hopkins team, where many of the riders are beginners.

Though Mimi Gu had ridden with friends in high school, she never had any formal experience before joining the club.

"It's really refreshing to get off campus and sort of be away from everything," the freshman said. "The farm is really pretty and the horses are so nice."

Beginners are guided by those with more experience, including sophomore Maxi Gumprecht, an award-wining rider and former News-Letter Athlete of the Week.

Beginners are monitored, but more experienced riders like Gumprecht are allowed go out on their own.

Safety has been a priority for both the group members and Hopkins administrators.

Though they were ultimately approved by the Student Government Association, there were some concerns.

"We are currently having conversations with various university risk and legal officers on the operations of this organization. ?There are still a number of questions that need to be addressed," Director of Student Involvement Jason Heiserman said.

Riders are required to sign a series of waivers removing Hopkins from liability.

"People have to agree to the fact that they are taking a risk," Jabbour said. "They really have taken a lot of precautions," Stasinopolous said. "There's always someone supervising... if a horse isn't paying attention, they will jump on and show them who's boss."

The cost of a riding session is $25. Gu, who has gone riding twice this semester, said the cost was "kind of pricey."

Sophomore Marilyn Stasinopolous has only made it out to the barn once this semester, but for her it was more of an issue of finding the time than financial.

"The price is reasonable. For people who don't have a lot of experience with riding, the cost can seem like a lot, but it's pretty inexpensive," she said.

Riders can also work in the barn for three hours to pay for one hour of riding. Stasinopolous felt this was a good opportunity for newer riders.

"You get more accustomed to being around the horses so when you're riding you are not as nervous," she said.

Gu enjoyed learning more about the care and keeping of horses. "They teach you a lot about how to care for the horse. It's not just about getting on and riding. You walk the horse, learn how to put on the tack and how to clean up after it."

The horses are boarded in a privately owned farm out in Parkton, Md - riders pile into ZipCars for the thirty minute drive.

The distance has been a downside for Jabbour, but she appreciated that the facilities have covered arenas, making it easier to practice through the winter as they prepare to hopefully begin competing as a team.

Though Director of Athletics and Recreation Tom Calder had not been approached about creating a competitive equestrian team, he questioned whether Hopkins could provide financial support.

"Based on the state of the current US economy and how it has affected the University, the introduction of any new program or team in athletics or recreation is going to be looked at over the next several years with start up and annual costs as two of the major considerations," he said.

But if things work out, the team would likely compete in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). According to Gumprecht, their events would include both flatwork and jumping, but only on the hunt seat style saddle.

Stasinopolous said she would welcome the opportunity to compete.

"I don't know if I'm good enough, but it would be a lot of fun. It's a good way to get better, improve your technique and look better when you are riding," she said.

Gu also said she would consider competing, though she too had questioned her skill level. "They assured us that there are competitions for all skill levels. I think it would be really exciting," she said.

The team would be pitted against riders from schools such as Towson, Goucher and the University of Maryland.

"We would definitely support Hopkins' decision to create a team," University of Maryland Equestrian Team Vice President Arielle Bluestein said.

"It will take time to build a team, but you can be very competitive with a small number of students due to the fact that there are a limited number of spots available in each division at each horse show," she said.

Each school can only provide 14 riders per competition. In IHSA events, riders are randomly assigned horses provided by the hosting team right before competition.

"Sometimes you get horses that will know exactly what to do, and other times you will get a difficult horse. It's just luck of the draw, to say the least," Bluestein said.

If Hopkins makes it to the IHSA, they will face their strongest competion from Goucher and Mary Washington. "They both have very strong teams and practice every day which gives them a big advantage," Bluestein said.

Though Jabbour hoped that the team could start competing next school year, "at this point our goal is to just take people out to the barn and ride."