The University of Alabama Equestrian Program has added a new competitive western team, which will begin competing during the 2017–2018 academic year along with UA’s established hunt seat team.
Paige Linne, a Texas A&M graduate with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s degree in equine industry management, will coach the new team. During her undergraduate career, Linne was a member of the 2012 National Champion Equestrian Team at Texas A&M. While in graduate school, she was a clinician and class instructor, and coached Texas A&M’s stock horse team to multiple championship titles. She also interned for The National Collegiate Equestrian Association.
The University of Alabama Equestrian Program currently competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, which provides collegiate riders of all skills the opportunity to compete individually and as a team in equestrian competitions. Teaching and competing in both hunt seat and western disciplines will give both skilled and new riders more opportunities to compete at regional and national levels.
Students with reining or horsemanship experience interested in riding opportunities on the western IHSA team can find information regarding tryout requirements online at www.equestrian.ua.edu.