Activities
In addition to competing at IHSA shows, the team also participates in non-competition related events, such as fund-raisers, Homecoming parade, team picnics, "Barn Day"/Horse clinics, Cal's Non-Alcaholic Mix-Off, etc.
Clinics
The team will hold clinics and educational days with professional members of the equestrian industry. In the past, the team has toured horse farms and learned about the various aspects of keeping and caring for horses, horse composition, and equine health issues.
Community Service
When possible, the Equestrian Team participates in a variety of community activities.
Past efforts have included donating ticket sales to the Washington
4H after a flood destroyed their facilities,
participating with March of Dimes and teaming up with the
Cal University Habitat for Humanity chapter's annual "Box
Out" competition.
In the competition, clubs and organizations at Cal U design and build (sometimes) elaborate homes out of cardboard. Then, a member of the club must remain at the box for 24 hours.
The Box Out is a judged competition to raise homelessness awareness. Teams are awaded prizes based upon originiality, design, etc. All funds are donated to Habitat for Humanity and local shelters and organizations.
Fundraisers
As a student organization, a portion of the team's expenses are raised through fundraising.Traditionally this includes Christmas and Easter candy sales, lottery "strip ticket" sales, and raffle baskets, to name a few.
Every fall the team holds a Western game show. The Mon Valley equine community
is invited to participate, and the event runs from morning to mid afternoon.
The team produces a concession stand and registration table, and events range
from western show classes to fun competitions like Bobbing for Apples and
even cash-price classes like Cloverleaf barrels.
Our 2005 Game Show was held September 11,
2005.
Western IHSA Show
In addition to the western game show, the team also hosts an IHSA stock seat competition. This is a mandatory team function, and team members are assigned to positions ranging from Show Secretary to Horse-handler.
In past years, our show has been held at 4T Arena near Morgantown, West Virginia as part of a two-day show weekend. The team covers hotel accomodations and usually dinner expenses.
Last year, Cal U also co-hosted the Western Regional and Zone competitions at 4T Arena.
Social / Campus Community
When we're not working hard at our riding, fundraising, hosting shows,
and being the scholarly students that we are, the team loves
to just get together and have fun.
Since
all of our members don't always have the time or funds to ride,
the team holds a lot of "team-building" activities. Social
events range from bowling to camp fires and pool parties or
just having some coffee down at the Underground Cafe after
our meetings. Each semester we also host a team picnic at our
coach's house where everyone's invited for food, riding, and
the occasional roping demonstration.
On campus, the team participates in the Homecoming Parade, and take home our share of trophies at the annual Non-Alcoholic Mix-Off. We also do our time at the Organizational Fair, so stop by and chat if you're interested in horses!