The George Mason University Equestrian Club & Intercollegiate Team was founded in August of 2004 by Audra Swanberg . In its first year, the team quickly became the largest club sport at George Mason University, with over 40 members.  The club is open to those of all skill levels, from very beginners to those who compete regularly.  Currently in its second year, the GMU Equestrian Club & Intercollegiate Team is coached by Megan Hurst  of Giles Run Stables in Lorton, VA . 

If you are interested in becoming a member the best way to get involved is to visit the Prospective Members  page to fill out the survey.  A club representative will contact you shortly to let you know how to become a member.  At the start of each semester, the club holds information kiosks in the Johnson Center.  Please feel free to drop by, pick up a brochure, and meet some of our members.  The second week of school each semester the club holds a sign up meeting for those who came by the kiosks or filled out the prospective member form.  The club consists of several member categories: show team member, club member, and club supporter.  The level of commitment varies for each of these categories.  Show team members compete regularly in IHSA  (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) events and local shows, are required to attend all meetings, lessons, and events.  Club members have opted to not compete within the IHSA but are eligible to go to local shows with our coach. 

They are required to attend all lessons, 80% of meetings, and 80% of events.  The club supporter category is available for those who would like to be involved but are unable to meet the show team member or club member attendance commitments, due to academics or work.  Club supporters can, but are not required to, take lessons.  They do not have a required percentage of meetings and events they must attend, but rather come to what they can when their schedules allow.  Currently, there are about 20-30 members in the club.  Since the GMU Equestrian Club & Intercollegiate Team is a club sport, George Mason University does no recruiting for the team and does not offer scholarships.  However, the alumni of the GMU Equestrian Club & Intercollegiate Team have implemented a scholarship to alleviate the dues of one member each semester.  We expect this scholarship to expand as our equestrian program grows and we have more alumni to contribute.
           
As a club sport, the GMU Equestrian Club & Intercollegiate Team is self-funded.  The GMU Equestrian Club & Intercollegiate Team is currently in the process of raising $12 million in order to build a barn on campus and purchase horses of our own.  The proposed facility would house our own horses, lesson programs for the club, the student body, and for the community, private boarders from the local community, a therapeutic riding program, an at risk youth program, and a trainer development program.  If you would like to learn more about the proposed facility and/or donate to the “Friends of the GMU Equestrian Club Foundation” please visit our donations page. 
         
The GMU Equestrian Club & Intercollegiate Team competes in Zone 4, Region 1  of the IHSA, which is made up of 16 other schools in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.  There are approximately 8 IH SA shows in Region 1 per year, split over the fall and spring semesters.  These shows feature hunt-seat equitation classes divided into several levels of competition: walk/trot, beginner walk/trot/canter, advanced walk/trot/canter, novice flat and fences, intermediate flat and fences, open flat and fences, and alumni flat and fences.  Zone 4, Region 1 also offers western competitions. 

Riders are judged on their position and control of their mount. Horses are assigned randomly to riders prior to the commencement of the show, and riders are not allowed to practice on their horses before entering the ring. Competitors are awarded seven points for a first place finish, five for second, four for third, three for fourth, two for fifth, and one point for sixth. The team accumulates points from one rider in each class. Before the show begins, these riders are appointed as the team’s "point riders". The champion team is the one whose "point riders" have collected the most points at the end of the show.

Riders who acquire 35 points in their division advance to the next level of competition.  They are then eligible to compete at regional competition at the end of the spring season.  Successful riders at regionals have the option to advance to zones and potentially to nationals.  During the 2005-2006 season, the GMU Equestrian Club & Intercollegiate Team is expecting to send at least 2 riders to regionals and hopefully all the way to nationals.

 GMU Equestrian Club members take groups lessons, determined by their skill level and schedule.  Members take one or two lessons per week (although two lessons are encouraged) September through December in the fall semester and January through April in the spring semester.  Lessons are taught by Megan Hurst at Giles Run Stable in Lorton, VA.  Giles Run Stable is located about 25 minutes from campus.  Members carpool to and from lessons.  Members are expected to arrive at least 25 minutes early in order to properly groom and tack their assigned horse.