Equestrian
Welcome to the Equestrian club page; an all-inclusive sports club for any horse enthusiast! Whether you're a beginner wanting to learn, you own horses and know the ‘ins and outs’ of the equine world, or have been out of the saddle for some time and just want to get back into it, there is a place for you here in our club! We also offer a social membership, catering for those of you just wanting to embrace the social aspect of university and meet like-minded people, without riding with us. With our social events, volunteering opportunities, weekly recreational lessons, and Team Derby representation within BUCS leagues and training, there really is something for everyone. Come down to freshers fair on 17th-18th September for a chat if you're interested!
President’s Welcome
Hello! I'm Becky and I can't wait to be your 2024/25 club president! I have been a member of the club and ridden on BUCS A and B teams since starting my journey at UoD in 2022. Last year I was the club's secretary, and I loved engaging with all of our members and helping recreational riders get involved during this role. The club is a massive part of my university life, and my fellow members and the club are like my family. I can't wait for what's in store for the year to come and to be a part of the club’s development, working with the rest of my amazing committee!
We welcome students of any ability wishing to get involved in everything equestrian has to offer! If you’re looking to get back into riding or try a new discipline, a beginner wanting to learn, a rider wanting to compete, or just wanting to meet new people and make long-lasting friendships, the club has something for everyone to enjoy.
Please feel free to contact us by email (equine@derbyunion.co.uk), Instagram (uod.equestrian), or Facebook (University of Derby Equestrian) if you have any questions about the club and joining us!
We have an exciting year ahead of us & our returning members, committee, & I really look forward to meeting you soon!
Competitions
Each year, the club offers all members the chance to compete through Interclub competitions, a Friendly University League, or as part of Team Derby in the British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) leagues.
At Derby, we have two BUCS teams which compete in their respective leagues, either Championship (A Team) or Trophy (B Team). At a BUCS competition, riders must complete both a dressage test and a show jumping course on a horse that they have never ridden! Horses are drawn randomly and you have 7 minutes on them to warm up and get to know them before competing! Each team has 4 riders, which are selected following our team trials, held shortly after Freshers’ Fair. In order to trial and be eligible for one of our BUCS teams, you must be able to confidently and competently walk, trot, canter, and jump a course at a minimum height of 80cm. If you are successful and selected onto one of our teams, there will be regular training, strength and conditioning, and theory sessions that you will be expected to attend. This year our team trials will be held 25th-26th of September and more information about signing up will be available at freshers fair and on our social media!
For riders that have never competed before, or prefer the thrill of competing without the pressure, our friendly league offers you the oppurtunity to compete against other universities, without the pressure of gaining points. The friendly league is hosted in a similar format to BUCS, which enables you to familiarise yourself with the style of competition, ready for if you decide to move up to BUCS in following years!
Weekly team training sessions are held at Longlane Equestrian Centre, transport will be shared and arranged after teams are chosen to make sure those who dont drive can still make it!
We also host our interclub competitions each year, allowing both team and recreational riders to compete against each other in dressage. To get involved with interclub competitions, you must at least hold a recreational riding membership. There will be more information regarding our interclub competitions on our social media pages throughout the year, so keep your eyes peeled for that!
Recreational Lessons
Recreational lessons provide a fun and friendly environment for all riders to learn and develop their skills. We cater for people who have never ridden before, to those who want to continue to improve their riding whilst at university. Weekly or bi-weekly group lessons are held at Longlane Equestrian Centre. Shortly after Freshers’ Fair, we will host a Give-it-a-Go which enables you to come along and get a taster of riding with us before you pay your membership fees! The Give-it-a-Go session will enable us, alongside a qualified instructor, to organise groups based on ability and availability. Regardless of your skill level, students interested in joining the club must attend one of two Give-it-a-Go sessions. They cost £28 each for an hour group lesson and are bought weekly. This year they will be on the 2nd and 3rd October, information on how to sign up for these will be available at freshers fair and on our social media!
We also host a Give-it-a-Go session at the beginning of the second semester, alongside re-freshers fair for new students!
Volunteering
New for this year, we are offering the opportunity to volunteer through us at the Scropton Riding for the Disabled Centre. This will give all members the opportunity to put their love for horses into a great organisation. This is a fantastic opportunity for those wanting to continue caring for horses whilst away from home and at university, as well as helping with lessons or catering, and for those wanting to learn the basics of horse care. It really is ideal for all members no matter their experience! Hours of volunteering also contribute to the Futures’ Awards!
Socials and Events
Last year, we held some great events and socials! Joining in with our social offering will also allow you to mix with members of other clubs and sports, as well as getting to know your fellow members and committee better.
We ran an array of events and socials, both sober and drinking, which started with our Welcome Event. We can’t wait to host this year’s welcome social and meet you all properly. For updates of this event, keep your eyes on our social media!
Club events and socials are open to all members, and we often support other sports club’s events throughout the year. These include both horse and non-horse related events, such as club meals, bowling, themed socials, a day at the races, and so much more... I’m sure our Social Secretary, Liv, has some great things planned!
The Union Sports Awards is an event that is open to all club members, last year Equestrian were awarded Club of the Year and Mental Health Champions!
If you're looking to try another discipline, there will also be opportunities throughout the year to do so; for example, trying horseball or polo!
How to Join?
We offer four membership types – A social membership which permits attendance at any social event, £20; A General membership, allowing you to ride as a recreational rider as well as attend events, £40; a Competition add on, £15, which must be paid if you are selected to be on a BUCS team; and a £20 social membership top up, allowing you to ride as a recreational rider if you later decide to. Whichever you select must be bought alongside your union pass of £20, this is a one-time annual fee that gives you access to participate within sports at your union. Being a union sports member doesn't only give you access to the club, training and competitions, it also gives you the ability to purchase tickets for Sports Awards and Specific Personal Accident Insurance for student sport through Endsleigh, if you are injured as part any club activities - https://www.derbyunion.co.uk/getinvolved/memberresources/. Sports members also have access to coaching and officiating bursaries through club application to the Union.
The Union Sports Pass also helps keep our clubs affordable by helping the Union fund training and competition opportunities.
To purchase your membership…
- Go to the Union Website & Login.
- Click onto the "Get Involved" icon, then the "Sports" tab on the righthand side.
- Select the "Equestrian" tile which will take you to the club page.
- Select the "Join this Club" button.
- Once the correct membership has been added to your basket, select "account" tab on the right then "basket" on the left.
- Add the "Union Sports Pass" into your basket, select "Proceed" and enter payment details!
If you’re interested in joining, have any questions, or just want to chat, please contact us on our socials or email us at equine@derbyunion.co.uk . We are looking forward to meeting you very soon!