The Duquesne Equestrian Team perspective: Expenses, fundraising and getting the university involved.

If time is money, then how much is an hour in the saddle worth? Can you name a price for the excitement of jumping your first fence? Do you ever calculate the cost of spending a day cheering on teammates and friends at an IHSA show? Any equestrian will argue that this is all time well spent. But regardless of how much we treasure our time in the ring or on the trail it all comes down to one bottom line: riding is an expensive sport.

This is a fact that Duquesne University’s equestrian team is reminded of daily.

Struggling to make a permanent place for itself within the Duquesne community, the equestrian team continually encounters and tackles financial obstacles. Almost solely self-funded and still working to obtain full recognition from the University, Duquesne’s equestrians are a club, not an official school team. Still, they always refer to themselves as such; practicing, competing and representing Duquesne as a team is what defines the group.

What these young women lack in financial support they make up for in determination. Dwarfed in size and budget at competitions by larger schools, Duquesne’s team pays for all of its own training and showing fees – a cost that is usually more than $500 a semester for each rider.

Each member pays for lessons and minimal equipment (boots, helmet and britches) while also contributing to the lesson car pool fund. Competing members must pay additionally for IHSA registration and class fees, showing attire and competition car pool expenses. Hotel costs for shows that require an overnight stay and any other miscellaneous costs, such as team shirts or jackets, are the responsibility of team members as well.

Usually the team receives a small yearly stipend from Duquesne’s Student Government Association, and this money pays for its IHSA registration fee each fall. Attempting to establish a lesson-fee fund, from which money will be given to each member to allay lesson costs, Duquesne’s equestrians fundraise during the fall and spring semesters by selling everything from baked goods and chocolate bars to candles and team t-shirts.

“This club has worked hard to good effect,” faculty advisor Dr. Janie Harden Fritz said. “Members have modeled a spirit of entrepreneurship, putting forth resources of finances, time and creativity to make it happen.”

Still, this fast-growing team is in desperate need of an equally fast-growing financial resource.

One alternative to making money through fundraising is to foster a relationship with the university that benefits both parties. The team strives to serve as a positive and effective representative of the University, drawing freshman with equestrian interests and emphasizing the importance of horsemanship and team spirit over that of competing. Hopefully, the team will reach its long-term goal of becoming an official team within five years.

Word is spreading, slowly but surely, that Duquesne University now has a team of young women who can jump higher than the entire basketball team--with the help of their four-legged counterparts, of course. Team membership has increased tenfold in only four years, and as quickly as the team gains members, it gains fans. At one of last fall’s local shows, Duquesne was not only represented by its riders but also by a small but vocal cheering section made up of Duquesne professors and students.

The University is taking notice of these small successes, which are hopefully paving a path to funding for future Duquesne equestrians. Until then, however, the team remains grateful for the opportunity to take lessons, show at IHSA competitions and build friendships with other horse enthusiasts. After all, it is certainly time—and money—well spent.

---Chrissy Arbuckle

(Chrissy Arbuckle joined the Duquesne equestrian team in 2000, having never taken formal lessons before college. Though she only competed at 30% of the zone 3, region 3 shows last season, Arbuckles' leadership abilites were rewarded with the title of co-captain in 2002-03.)