Intercollegiate Equestrian Teams

Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Equestrian Teams (IHSA)

Over half of our equine studies students ride as part of their college experience, but other LEC majors also participate in riding classes and our intercollegiate teams. All LEC students are welcome to ride!

Equestrian team membership creates an instant sense of “belonging,” turning you into we. Team membership teaches leadership and working as a part of a group for a shared goal. You gain responsibility and earn accolades for hard work and performance. Every team member matters and every rider counts. Team members become lifelong friends and professional contacts later in life. For many students, being a LEC team rider is the ultimate part of the college experience.

Hunt Seat

Zone 6 Region 1 Champions 2020

The Lake Erie College IHSA Hunt Seat team competes at an average of 8-10 horse shows per year, hosted at our George M. Humphrey Equestrian Center and by other teams in our region. We maintain a team of approximately 30 riders in divisions ranging from Walk/Trot to Open Over Fences. Team riders focus on honing their riding and competition abilities, developing strong "catch riding" skills, and being compassionate, thoughtful horse people. 

We are highly competitive in our region, zone, and in the nation, and we send a variety of riders to Nationals every year in Walk-Trot to Open, on the flat and over fences. We consistently produce candidates for the Cacchione Cup, yielding the Regional High Point Cacchione Cup riders in seven of the last ten years. In 2019, our Cacchione Cup rider nearly cracked the top 10 in the country, finishing with a highly respectable 11th place. At LEC, our Hunt Seat team is a powerhouse. These riders and their officers work hard, ride well, and make college memories to last a lifetime.

Western

Zone 6 Region 1 Reserve Champions 2020

The Lake Erie College IHSA Western team competes on a similar schedule as our Hunt Seat team, at horse shows hosted at LEC and other schools in our region. This young team continues to gain momentum, and LEC individual riders frequently attend Regionals, Western Semi-Finals, and IHSA Nationals. Small but mighty, the 15-rider team welcomes both experienced Western competitors and those new to the discipline. The successes of our Western equestrian athletes reflect their focus, dedication, and hard work.

Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA)

Dressage

Region D Champions 2020

The 2011 Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Champion Lake Erie College Dressage team continues its winning tradition as a national powerhouse! The team established themselves early on as a force to be reckoned with, winning two National Champion titles in 2005 and 2011. LEC also dominates the USDF/IDA Quiz Challenge. In 2016, LEC placed 2nd in the exceptionally difficult competition. Our 2018 LEC competitors brought home the National Championship Title followed by a Reserve Championship in 2019. The current roster includes 15 riders from Walk/Trot riders up to First Level competitors. 

Outside of the intercollegiate ring, a group of IDA riders has won the Low Team division of the Lake Erie College USDF/USEF recognized Prix de Villes dressage competition every year since 2016. LEC dressage competitors compete on our school horses in recognized dressage shows in pursuit of their USDF Rider Medals. As of 2019, three of our riders need just two more scores to reach their USDF Bronze medals.