Frequently Asked Questions 

The Trent Team competes on the Ontario Collegiate Equestrian Association's North Zone. The OCEA is a catch-riding based equitation circuit, on which riders compete on donated horses. Riders accumulate points in their respective classes for their individual standing and for the team. Each rider competes in an under saddle and an over fences class in their assigned division.

You do not need to have your own horse for lessons or shows. Kildare Stables provides us with a great team of horses for our weekly lessons. At the shows, host schools and private owners provide horses for our use which are appropriate for their respective division.

We ride at Kildare Stables North. The farm is a 10 minute drive north of Trent University's Peterborough campus. 

Team members must lesson at least once a week, but you can ride more or less often to accommodate your schedule provided that there are available lesson spots. Team members must lesson the week of a show, and must abide by the Kildare Stables lesson policy.

No, but we expect that if you are joining the team that you are intending to represent our team at horse shows. If you do not wish to compete, check out our recreational club! You will be informed ahead of time how many shows have been scheduled and will be given an approximate cost based on the previous year's expenses. 

We try to make it as convenient as possible for our members by arranging carpools for each lesson as required. Once a lesson schedule is organized then we develop carpools for those lessons. The team also carpools to horseshows. Shows can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours away. 

Not at all. We are always the most excited when we get new riders! In this case, we recommend you join the club so that you can focus on developing your skillls. If you're unsure whether you want to join, send the team an e-mail (trentequestrian@hotmail.com) and come watch a lesson or a show!

Yes! Any student currently enrolled at either Trent University or Fleming Collage is welcome to join either the team or the club. Both programs are also available to recent alumni of both schools.

Tryouts are held during mid to late summer, and into September. Tryouts determine the team based on riders' skill level, showing history, and general attitude. If we cannot fill each division at this first round of tryouts, a second round will be held at the beginning of second semester. Tryouts consist of an assessment of your knowledge and abilities on the flat, and then based on your experience/comfort, several hunter and equitation-style courses on several different horses. You do not need to bring your own tack, but you are welcome to bring your own saddle if you would like to. Please note that if you choose to bring your own saddle, other riders in your tryout will ride in your saddle during the horse-swap. If your saddle does not fit the horse that you start your tryout on, you will not be permitted to use it.

OEF Membership: approximately ~$70  (https://ontarioequestrian.ca/membership/)

Try-out fee: $50 - paid prior to tryout, and subject to change on a yearly basis.

*Semester Lesson Fee: $690 - subject to change and dictated by Kildare Stables

Show Fee: ~$150 /show (Normally 4-6 shows over the academic year)

Accommodations/Carpooling at Shows: Approximately $0-40, depending on the distance to the show. This is decided at the discretion of the driver based on gas mileage and wear-and-tear. 

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* = applicable to the club

You should have your own riding apparel. If you are on the team, we expect that you have your own show jacket, white show shirt, beige breeches, helmet, and tallboots. No personal tack is needed, however, you are welcome to use your own saddle during lessons provided it fits your assigned horse that week.