ADVISOR

position to reduce that stress for them and for their parents.”

“Joining IECA meant becoming part of a community of like-minded educators who want to help students reach their potential, so learning that I could put all of my experiences on the college side of the desk to use in that way was the moment I knew I’d found the right career.”

A key component of IECA membership is ongoing education; professional members like Heathman have to visit hundreds of college campuses to gain firsthand knowledge of their cultures and offerings, as well as attend workshops, training sessions, and conferences to stay up-to-date on current trends and regulations. IECA members often refer to themselves as “students of colleges.” Heathman goes the extra mile to cultivate deep knowledge about the inner workings of college equestrian programs, riding teams and clubs nationwide.

Tailoring the college search to a student’s particular parameters— the riding discipline, academic interests, location, a family’s budget, social needs, etc.—isn’t always something a school counselor has the time or resources to undertake, but it’s where The Equestrian College Advisor excels.

Specific considerations include: “Are we looking for an NCEA program or is the student a better fit for the IHSA? Is the student dyslexic and in need of some specialized academic support? Where does the campus culture feel right to them? Were there interruptions to their school progression during COVID? Is the student a better fit for a test optional school than one where they’ll have to submit an ACT or SAT?”

Of course, the end of the process always comes when students receive decisions from colleges, which is always emotional no matter the result. From happy tears to frustrated conversations about having to switch to a student’s Plan B, Heathman has experienced it all.

“I got the call from my student the night she got into Stanford and her whole family was celebrating in the background,” she says. “I definitely cried happy tears with them. I’ve also had calls from students who didn’t get the first result they wanted and we mourned together before we moved to their second option. I’ve found over the last ten years that the most important thing I can do is be there and listen. Families don’t want to dive into this alone.”

You don’t have to go on campus visits in the ninth grade, but visit the websites of schools that interest you and see what they’re all about. Read up on majors and follow their riding teams on social media.

2. DON’T STICK TO BRAND NAMES. College costs continue to increase but families aren’t always getting the best value for their educational dollar. Famous names and campus amenities are nice, but it’s what happens inside the classroom that matters most and some lesser known colleges are offering a better experience at a lower price point.

3. ACADEMICS COME FIRST.

Most parents don’t plan to support their student’s riding career after college so they’ll need a great job to be able to continue in the sport. Make sure your college can set you up for career success as well as offer a great riding experience.

Riding Recruitment 101

Don’t worry about acronyms, worry about experience. “Varsity” means a school supports a team; club means the students (or student government) do. Both NCEA and IHSA offer robust competition opportunities for students—the bigger questions are: What experience is the student looking for? How often do you hope to ride each week? Are you okay sitting the bench or do you want in on the action from the start? What events and opportunities have your current show experiences set you up for?

Students must lead the way. Parents are always welcome to ask questions during the search and recruitment process, but the students need to form relationships with coaches and program personnel. They need to start the conversations, ask the questions, and do the follow up. (And they need to be proactive - coaches don’t always know particular students are out there!)

Academics must come first. It’s no good to have great riding opportunities at a college if they don’t have the right majors to help you reach your career goals—not as many nurses come out of art schools as they do out of universities with dedicated nursing programs, after all. Dedicated riders will always find ways to get in the saddle but the right school fit is the key to continuing to afford the sport after graduation.