Nationals Team 2006

For information about the University of Vermont's academic programs, admissions, and other questions which are not related to the equestrian team, please contact the school directly. Information can be found on their website: www.uvm.edu

Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions page for in depth information about the team.

The UVM Equestrian Team is one of the most successful in the country.  Regardless of your level of expertise, you will find that riding on the team will give you access to an unparalleled riding education.  Intercollegiate competition offers unique challenges to accomplished riders, and expert instruction is offered from beginner through advanced levels.  The program's focus is hunter seat equitation and basic dressage, involving 35 students each semester.  Tryouts are held at the beginning of each year, with interim tryouts held at the beginning of the winter term to fill any open slots. If you are a dressage rider interested in continuing your education, please click here.

The weekly schedule for members includes mandatory meetings, two lessons or practice sessions and two hours of work at the barn. The Equestrian Team makes its home at Imajica, the farm of coach Madeleine Austin.  Transportation to the farm is provided by team members who have their own cars.
 

Amanda Starbuck  Class of 2001  Winner Miller's Open Flat and Fences

 The Equestrian Team  invites all interested athletes to try out. While the selection process is competitive, prospective members must remember that riders are needed at ALL levels.  Madeleine looks for riders who are athletic, physically fit, intelligent and able to respond to instruction

Because intercollegiate competitions often limit entries, not all team members are able to compete. Intercollegiate showing is unique because riders are mounted on horses drawn by lot, provided by the host college. Students compete in eight to ten Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) shows each year, where they may qualify for the regional, zone and national finals.
 

John Pigott, Class of 2005, Winning the Cacchione Cup

The UVM Equestrian Team has sent riders to the national finals consistently and has won the regional championship for the last six years.  In 2000, UVM placed fourth at Nationals.   In 2003, John Pigott won the coveted Cacchione Cup, a first for the region and a great honor for UVM.  In 2004, UVM again sent a team to Nationals. In 2005, Rachel Bertsch was second in Intermediate fences and third in Intermediate flat, joining Amanda Starbuck and John Pigott as a multiple winner at nationals. 2006 brought yet another trip to the prestigious final for an entire team resulting in a fifth place finish.

The equestrian team has much to offer the dedicated, competitive athlete. While academics will be the focus of your life at school, riding can be an important part of it, as well. The same excellence you expect from UVM academics exists in the equestrian team, providing you with a first-class facility, coach, and opportunities.
 

Anna Seeley, Class of 2000  Social Director Emeritus

 Captains:

                Jordan Werner                  jwerner@uvm.edu

                  Cailin McMurdo-Minnich  cmcmurdo@uvm.edu
 
 

Madeleine Austin has been the coach of UVM's equestrian team since 1993.  A Grand Prix dressage trainer, she has coached riders to international as well as national success in several disciplines.   imajica@imajica.net