Michael Jimenez/ Contributing Writer
FIU offers a large variety of clubs for students who are looking for productive and engaging activities to take part in. These clubs are a great way for students to meet new people and find something their passionate about along the way. One such club that students may not be too familiar with is FIU’s Equestrian club. After speaking with FIU Equestrian President and Team Captain Courtney Frost, she explains both the purpose and state of the club in detail. Founded in 2010 the Equestrian club’s main goal is to “share our passion for horses with the FIU community”. While knowledge of the sport is a plus, Frost insists that anyone can join regardless of how much they know. “I was a freshman when I joined and to be honest, I knew almost nothing about horses or horse riding competitions”. “You don’t have to know a lot about the sport to join”.
So what are the differences between the team and the club? Simple. Whereas the Equestrian team competes in various IHSA events all throughout Florida and Georgia, Frost says the Equestrian club offers “A more relaxed approach” for beginning riders to first learn about the horses and the sport in general. For those beginners, riding lessons are offered twice a week for those wanting to learn the basics of horse riding.
The team is very proud to have head coach Daniela Roy leading the group. Frost called the Swiss born Roy a “World Class rider” who has trained and competed in Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and the United States. The team and club regularly train on Roy’s 10 acre facility in Southwest Ranches. This training helps the riders get familiar with the horses and ready to compete at a high level.
Frost went on to describe the amazing relationships she has made not only with the other riders but also with the horses themselves. Frost says “After a while you start to look at the horses as your equal” noting the emotional bond that grows after taking care of the horses. Once in the club, new members will learn how to ride a horse, compete in collegiate equestrian sports, and form friendships with other riders that extend well beyond the club.
While the club and team are looking for new members to join for the fall semester, Frost insists that “It’s good for people to start joining during the summer so they can learn how to ride and get a head start for the fall”.
Anyone interested in joining the FIU Equestrian club or team should email them at fiuequestrian@gmail.com.