Equestrian Club at Berkeley | Fall 2025

Who Are We?

The Cal Equestrian Club practices and competes in American equitation riding. The club competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), which allows students of all experience levels to join the team, regardless of their ability to own a horse. How? When at competitions, the host college provides the horses. The responsibility of hosting and providing horses is passed between schools throughout the season, so no one team will always have the home-field advantage. Riders are randomly assigned to a horse and compete against other collegiate riders with similar riding experiences. Levels range from walk/trot on the flat to 3 ft over fences. This means that riders from all backgrounds and experience levels are able to participate and compete. 

Our History

Founded in 2010, the Cal Equestrian team prides itself on its diversity, dedication, and mutual love for horses. Cal Equestrian competes within the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). Our team goes head-to-head against schools such as Stanford, UC Davis, and Cal Poly. Riders of all skill levels and experience are welcome. Team members will ride at least once a week and join the biggest community of equestrian enthusiasts at UC Berkeley! In the team's 15 years of competition, numerous riders have competed at the Regional, Zone, and National levels. The team is proud to be entirely student-run and strives to lead with sportsmanship in and outside of the ring.

Mission Statement

The Cal Equestrian Team is committed to creating a safe, fun, and competitive environment for students at UC Berkeley who share a love of horses. With first-class trainers and top-of-the-line facilities, the program strives to enable riders of all backgrounds to develop their horse knowledge while gaining confidence and leadership skills. Founded upon teamwork, horsemanship, and sportsmanship, the team works to provide a rewarding experience and lifelong friendships for all of its members.

Not Just a Sport

For many riders, the choice of attending UC Berkeley involves making the difficult decision to sell their horse or leave him or her behind at home. We are comprised of overjoyed Cal students, who can have horses close to them and engage in a sport that is not just a sport, but a passion. With the stress of a rigorous academic schedule, various club leadership positions, jobs and never-ending pressure to succeed, the few hours every week that members attend lessons and those weekends away at horseshows provide a respite from campus life, a chance to de-stress and participate in an activity they love, and a time to revel in the harmony created by horse and rider. The Cal Equestrian Team is a tight-knit family, where every member takes joy in coming together and sharing their passion with each other.

Team News

We're excited to break in the club's new facility. Caldecott is conveniently located over the Berkeley hills. The stable has a covered arena with full-length mirrors and a large outdoor arena. Both arenas, as well as the round pen, have new top-of-the-line footing by Premier Equestrian. There are two all-weather sand turnouts equipped with Otto Sport Mats and an all-weather 60-foot round pen equipped with Otto Sport Mats. Additionally, there is a 15-acre grass field for hacking, and the facility is surrounded by two large regional park systems with horse trails only five minutes away.

Funds Breakdown

The $10,000 raised through Crowdfunding will be used to ensure that members never have to pay to compete. 

• 40% of the funds raised will go towards competition entry fees. 
• 15% will go towards rider transportation costs to shows, including car transportation to local shows and the occasional flight to the national finals. 
• 15% will go towards horse transportation to shows. 
• 15% will go towards rider hotel costs. 
• The final 15% will go towards paying our show coaching staff.
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All estimates are rough only, and actual expenditures may vary. 

 

If our goal isn't met, funds will still be used for riders' travel to local shows. More expensive shows (including national finals) will be tabled if our goal isn't met.

Your Impact

This project will support our horse and rider travel fund. Traveling to tournaments and competitions around the state and country is expensive for our students and our four-legged partners. Funds will ensure that all members of the Equestrian Club will always have the opportunity to represent California at the Best of the West Tournament, Zone 8 Finals, and National Finals!

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