USEF High School Athlete Letter Program

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

USEF High School Equestrian Athlete Program

Equestrian student athletes are now able to get the recognition and respect they deserve for their long hours of training and competition. united States Equestrian Federation, ContributorLetterman jackets and varsity letters have long been a tradition of the American high school experioverwhelming. “Right now we have nearly 5,000 students enrolled,” says Mellenkamp. “Parrecognition for their individual achievements regardless of their school recognition of equestrian ence, but until recently, eques- as a sport. Students are respontrian student athletes were left sible for tracking their own out in the cold. Today’s eques- hours and competitions, which trians now have more oppor- means support of the program tunities to compete on inter- by a student’s school is not scholastic equestrian teams, necessary for participation. and thanks to the United States Individuals who compete inEquestrian Federation’s in- terscholastically can use their creasingly popular High School team practice hours and comEquestrian Athlete program, petitions to meet the annual teens can earn their letter in requirements. The program equestrian. provides schools with updates The USEF High School and information about the stuEquestrian Athlete program be- dents. “We’re hoping this will gan in the fall of 2009 when a initiate conversations with the growing number of high school schools,” says Mellenkamp, students wanted their sport of “and that they will start taking choice—equestrian—to get the notice of the equestrians that same recognition as the other are enrolled.” traditionally recognized sports. The requirements for the “What initiated the program,” USEF High School Equestrian says Jennifer Mellenkamp, Athlete program are simple: Director of National Breed/Dis- ents have told us the school sys- high school students must belong cipline Affiliates and Youth Pro- tems don’t understand the training to USEF, log at least 100 hours of grams at the USEF, “was simply and dedication that is involved to time training, and participate in supply and demand. We were re- be an equestrian athlete,” adds three competitions during the proceiving phone calls from parents Mellenkamp, “and there is often gram year. If you are currently enasking, ‘is there anything offered no recognition for these athletes rolled in grades 9-12 and just now that would recognize high school within their school systems. We hearing about the program, it’s equestrian athletes? They spend felt we needed to start something not too late to get started and earn just as much time training or com- to give all equestrian athletes the a letter for all four years! The propeting as football and basketball acknowledgement they deserve.” gram has been expanded to allow players,’” recalls Mellenkamp. The USEF High School Eques- any current high school student The program quickly found its trian Athlete program was cre- the opportunity to earn a varsity stride, and the response has been ated so students could receive letter retroactively. You can even