Are equestrian events actually sports? If the NCAA’s Committee on Women’s Athletics has its way, they soon could be. The Committee on Women’s Athletics has asked the Division III Presidents and Managements Council to research the schools that have equestrian competitions and ask them if the sport would be worthy of the NCAA branding. In order for a sport to be considered for NCAA championship status, 40 schools have to have it as part of their sporting season. Currently, equestrian competition has the support of 38 schools. The major sticking point in equestrian being considered by the NCAA is the question of what defines the season? Many of the schools that offer equestrian competitions compete in events that are put on by the International Horse Show Association. The shows go on all over the country, and therefore it is hard to have a season. Not having a season is in direct violation of NCAA standards.
I believe that if the NCAA is interested in adding equestrian as a sport, they should go ahead and do it. Being a sports fan, my philosophy is, the more sports that I have to see the better. Equestrian competitions have been a part of American culture for as long as I can remember, so it’s about time that they are recognized by both colleges and the NCAA.
Mark Zadakis
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