Best Colleges for Equestrian Scholarships?

As someone who's been riding horses for a few years, I'm curious about colleges that provide scholarships for equestrian sports. What are some of the best schools offering equestrian scholarships?

There are numerous colleges and universities that support equestrian sports and provide scholarships related to them. Theses institutions belong to the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA), and American National Riding Commission (ANRC). Keep in mind the first two are actually considered collegiate sports organizations, while ANRC is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting the collegiate riders and enhancing the quality of collegiate riding.

Here are a few notable ones:

1. Auburn University: They offer an equestrian team which competes at the NCEA level and is one of the top programs in the country. This team, in fact, has won multiple national championships.

2. Baylor University: Competing in the NCEA, Baylor's equestrian team is another strong choice for riders. They offer scholarships for both English and Western riders.

3. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater: The equestrian team here competes in the NCEA and awards scholarships to talented riders.

4. Berry College: Berry College allows riders to compete in IHSA events, and they have an endowed scholarship for members of the Equestrian Team.

5. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): SCAD is an interesting pick, as it's a leading school in art and design, but also has a strong IHSA team. This could be an excellent choice if you're interested in both riding and a creative field.

6. University of Findlay: Prominent in IHSA's western division, they offer scholarships for riders at varying levels and disciplines.

Remember, each institution has its own process and criteria for awarding scholarships. It's important that you reach out to the individual school or team's coach to find out about their specific scholarship application process. You can also engage in competitions to garner attention from recruiters. Make sure to highlight your equestrian experience in your college application to enhance your chances of getting noticed. Just keep in mind that while scholarships can definitely help, they might not cover all costs, so be sure to consider all financial aspects and use the Net Price Calculator for these schools to estimate your expenses.