Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many times may I ride as part of the riding program?
Students enrolled in the riding program are required to ride three times per week. Two of those times will be structured lessons and the third will be an independent ride. By fulfilling the requirements of the riding program, students will earn one PE activity credit per trimester.

2. I have only done dressage. What type of riding would I get at Madeira?
Instruction in Hunt Seat and basic horsemanship skills are incorporated in the curriculum. The goal of the program is to develop knowledgeable and disciplined riders capable of participating in a variety of equestrian disciplines.

 

3. Is there a separate charge for riding?
The enrollment fee for riding will be charged home per trimester. Students are permitted to ride in addition to the required class times and are encouraged to participate in the many special events and long-standing traditions.

4. Do I need to bring my own horse? Other equipment?
Only about a handful of girls bring their own horse to board in our facility. Most girls ride Madeira horses (we have 40 of them). All riders must supply their own riding helmets that meet USEF safety standards. Long pants and hard-soled shoes are also required. Everyone is expected to follow the barn rules and no one is permitted to ride alone or visit the barn after hours.

5. May I compete independently or just on the Madeira riding team?
Riders who wish to compete may do so in a variety of ways through in-house shows, interschool meets, and local and rated competitions off campus. Competing for Madeira on one of the equitation teams or in the Mid-Atlantic series is recognized as a varsity sport. Try-outs for the equitation team are held early in the fall. The team is structured to accommodated beginner, novice, intermediate, and advance levels. Riders are selected based on their equitation positions, security in the saddle, and overall command of the horses. Good attitudes and the ability to meet the time requirements for practices, competitions, and show preparations are mandatory.

The Tri-State Equitation League (TSEL) is Madeira's primary equitation team. Participating schools include: Foxcroft, Garrison Forest, the Grier School, and the Columbia Horse Center. The schedule comprises three regular meets and a season finale. Schools take turns hosting meets for groups of three. Riders draw for their mounts supplied by the host. Competing on unfamiliar horses is a true test of a rider's ability. Riders are judged on their equitation position and overall control. At the finale, while only one team serves as host, all schools attend and contribute horses for the draw. Year-end honors are awarded to the overall high-point teams and the individual division winners.

Any rider participating in the program may opt to compete in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA). Structured like TSEL for beginner through advanced riders and judged on the same criteria, IEA is a national association. Individuals and teams strive to qualify for zone and then national finals. At the start of each meet, coaches select a point rider for each class. Only those points are tallied for team standings. Whether you are designated as a point rider or not, all points earned help block other teams and are credited toward individual standings. Competing in the IEA requires more travel than TSEL. Riders will be responsible for all travel, membership, and entry fees. Participating in the IEA is an excellent stepping stone for competing at the college level in the NCAA or Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.

The Mid-Atlantic is a series of interschool competitions in the hunter, jumper, and eventing disciplines. Each competition offers varsity and junior varsity levels. Schools compete on their own horses in squads of three or four. Individual and team awards are presented at the end of each competition.

6. Does Madeira participate in other shows?
Throughout the year, Madeira attends several local and rated shows. Whether competing on privately owned or school horses, riders are responsible for all show fees. Those fees vary depending on the competition. The Washington Bridle Trails Association is a local and C-rated series of three shows with a year-end awards banquet. The Washington International Local Day Qualifier and the Virginia Intermont Classic are two favorite USEF-recognized competitions. The number and type of off campus competitions scheduled each trimester vary depending on riders' interest.

7. I want to play tennis and serve on the riding team at the same time. May I do this?
The riding program also offers a number of special activities throughout the year just for the girls enrolled in riding. New and returning students are encouraged to join the Centennial Drill team. Practices are held throughout September in preparation for the Parents' Weekend demonstration. Feeling creepy? Dressing a horse for the Halloween Parade will lift a rider's spirits. Gymkhanas are games played with the horses on Founders' Day and on the two afternoons when newly accepted students revisit campus. Madeira's End-of-Year Horse Show and Picnic is a fantastic way to showcase new skills and wrap-up the school year. Family and friends are encouraged to come watch and stay for the picnic at the Farmhouse. On the last morning of final exams, watch out for the seniors as they ride across campus for Graduation Gallop!

Have a question for Coach Wentzel? Send her an email at swentzel@madeira.org