PLUMSTED — A fledgling horseback riding team with its sights set on the national stage is taking shape at the Reindancer Therapeutic Riding Center, Archertown Road, Plumsted, as trainers make an open call for riders of any skill level to saddle up.
Featuring a collaborative effort between Reindancer and Chester Croft Farm, Moorestown, the riding team will give sixth- through 12th-graders a chance to compete.
“Most of the teams that compete in this zone are teams that are formed at private schools,” said Nancy Schreiner, an instructor and barn manager at Reindancer. “Because of the newness of this program, the Interscholastic Equestrian Association [IEA] is letting us form a team with a much looser association.”
There are currently about six students from both organizations who are interested in starting the team, according to Schreiner.
“If we could get 12 people for a team of kids who show interest and want to come out for practices, that would be great,” Schreiner said .
The IEA, formed in 2002, is a national organization that has more than 5,000 student riders and hundreds of teams in North America.
If there is enough interest and the idea for a riding team takes off, participants will learn the English Hunt style from Briana Quinn, of the Chester Croft Farm.
Based on traditional fox hunters in Great Britain, English hunt is scored primarily on the rider’s form and horsemanship.
Equipment and horses are provided by Reindancer during training sessions, just as they are at all IEA events, which brings the general cost down and puts the focus on the rider, according to information provided.
To further reduce the cost of participating, Schreiner said fundraising efforts are in the works. Students will have to provide their own uniform for competitions and $40 for any necessary training sessions at Reindancer. Show fees would be divided by the team participants.
“Burlington County College’s riding team just formed last year and they come here to practice. They did some fundraising and have been able to pay for their riders to cover a good amount of their costs. We are really hoping to follow that model and make it cheaper for everyone,” Schreiner said.
Reindancer is a nonprofit organization specializing in providing horseback lessons for able-bodied and disabled students. The first meeting and orientation for the proposed riding team will take place on Sept. 30 at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call Nancy Schreiner at 609-752-0900.
— Andrew Martins