Horseback Riding - The Program

2009-10 Varsity Riding Team

Riding at Grier School offers girls the opportunity to develop their skills through a daily instruction program. The facilities include a 40 stall horse stable, 2 outdoor rings, an indoor arena and a network of forest trails. There are school horses that range in ability from the quietest beginner mounts to advanced show horses.

The Grier equestrian program emphasizes classic hunt seat, dressage, show jumping and cross-country. Students may ride in the program two to four days weekly in a scheduled lesson. The versatility of our riding program allows for riders to be grouped with girls of similar abilities and interests.

For those interested in competing, Grier School riding program offers a multi-faceted Varsity riding program. Riders on the team have the opportunity to compete at all levels of horse shows, from casual schooling shows to rated competitions in both NCAA recognized disciplines. Hunt seat equitation, Western Horsemanship and Reining are all part of Grier's college preparatory equitation program. Grier's riding staff and college counseling staff begin meeting with students in their 10th grade year to prepare applications for universities and colleges that have excellent equestrian programs. Even riders new to showing will gain experience through the program that is based upon progressing through show levels each semester. At Grier even the beginner rider can advance to show levels, while an experienced show rider will still continue to polish her show skills.

For the casual rider, there is no pressure to compete. The program offers plenty of related activities, trips and opportunities to excel in areas other than showing.

Throughout the year, the school's varsity riding team competes in the Interscholastic Equitation League, which is nation wide and modeled after the collegiate leagues. Varsity riders may also opt to participate in local shows scheduled on weekends in the fall and spring semester. Members of the varsity team are selected by their dedication to the sport rather than by their level of ability.