In this episode, I’m joined by Beth Sheely, head coach of the Virginia Tech Equestrian Team, to break down what collegiate club teams really look like and why they might be the best-kept secret for riders who want to continue in college.

We talk about everything from how these teams are structured and funded to what coaches are actually looking for, plus real, actionable ways to start exploring options for your rider.

We cover:

• What a collegiate club team is and how it differs from NCAA/NCEA
• How IHSA works and why catch riding matters
• Costs, funding, and scholarship realities
• What coaches look for beyond talent
• Time commitment and what “student-athlete” really means in this sport
• Confidence, nerves, and the role of sports psychology
• How fear develops and how to prevent it
• What parents often get wrong (and how to better support their riders)
• How to start exploring college riding programs
• When to begin the process (timeline for high school riders)

Resources Mentioned

College Riding Exploration

• Equestrian Talent Search (ETS Clinics): https://rideincollege.com/equestrian-talent-search
• Tournament of Champions Series: https://rideincollege.com/tournament-of-champions

Organizations & Competition

• IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association): https://www.ihsainc.com/
• NCEA (National Collegiate Equestrian Association): https://collegiateequestrian.com/
• NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association): https://www.ncaa.org/

Virginia Tech Equestrian

• VT Equestrian Team: https://vatechequestrian.weebly.com/
• VT Equestrian Team on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginiatechequestrian
• VT Animal Science (Equine Program): https://www.apsc.vt.edu/

Broke Horse Moms

• Join the newsletter https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter
• 2026 Planning Workbook: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/2026
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms