Equestrian team reigns in control of season

By Ryan, March 29, 2016

By Makenna Rooker // Staff Writer

The High Point University Equestrian Team is proving it’s riders skills and abilities. The team competes in the Interscholastic Horse Show Association (IHSA). IHSA is known for being as competitive as NCAA Division 1 riding. The local region requires the team to compete against 12 of the top universities within the area. Many of the teams are from larger schools and have been around for much longer than the HPU team.
Despite being a relatively new team, the High Point Equestrian Team can hold its own against the tough competition. Not only is the team consistently at the top of the region, but the team has also sent several competitors to nationals. This is a huge accomplishment because in order to advance to nationals, the riders have to first be successful at regionals and zones. In fact, one of the team members, sophomore Morgan Moog, is in the running to compete for one of the most prestigious awards in collegiate riding, the Cachione Cup.
Aside from riding and showing, the team has also created friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
“The team is a bunch of girls and a boy who are crazy about a crazy sport,” Lilliana Chalfant, senior, said. “It’s cool to be able to share that with other people.”
“Fortunately, being the only boy on the team hasn’t really been that big of a deal,” Jason Scoggins, junior, said.
Similar to Big Brothers Big Sisters, the team members have younger riders that they mentor. In addition to coaching HPU students, Cathy Schlaeppi coaches middle and high school students. HPU team members are paired with a younger rider as their little.
“We do stuff like going to dinner with them and always cheering each other on at competitions,” Scoggins said.