Two University of Findlay Eventing Team members ranked nationally in the top 10 of the beginner novice class during the 2018 United States Eventing Association (USEA) season. Katie Wilkins, riding on Bright Prince, and Veronica Escude, riding on Mickey Mantle and Crocodile Roc, placed 5th and 8th respectively. The end of season rankings are determined by an individual’s accumulated points throughout the year’s competitions. Wilkins and Escude are in their senior year as English Equestrian Studies and Equine Business Management double majors and have been riding with the team since their freshman year.
Katie Wilkins
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2019
Major: Double major in English Equestrian Studies and Equine Business Management
What has your experience on the show team been like?
Being on the show team has provided many invaluable opportunities that I wouldn’t have otherwise experienced. Growing up, I played on several soccer teams but I especially enjoyed horse showing because it was a very individual sport, just me and the horse out there. The Eventing Team brought together the team mentality while keeping the individualism. I came onto the team freshman year with quite a bit of show experience and I have watched the Eventing Team develop into a well known and extremely competitive team. The team has allowed me to be a leader in many aspects and has helped develop me into the rider and person I am today.
This has really been one of my favorite parts of college. I have been a part of building a program that is not only growing at Findlay but across the country. Being ranked is just the cherry on top of everything.
How have your classes at Findlay contributed to your showing success?
Of course my barn class, where I am at the barn riding and caring for my horse five days a week, has contributed to my showing success. I have the opportunity to ride in front of a knowledgeable instructor every day so that is pretty helpful. Although not all of my classes are horse related, I can say that even the professors of non-horse classes have contributed to my success as well. They have all been very understanding of my busy competition schedule allowing me to focus on showing and manage my schoolwork.
Has there been a particular instructor that you have been impacted by?
My instructor and Eventing Team coach, Sue King, has made a huge impact on me throughout my college career. She’s been a teacher, mentor and friend to me. Her passion for the horses and her students inspires me. She has given me opportunity after opportunity to improve my riding and myself in general. Sue has been and will continue to be a huge part of not only my show success but also my success in life.
What is your favorite riding memory at Findlay?
I have so many great memories from Findlay but if I had to pick a top moment it would be from last semester when the team competed in their first show of the year at Flying Cross Horse Trials in Kentucky. I was taking my assigned school horse, Bright, who I spent the summer with rehabbing back from an injury he sustained earlier that spring and this was his first show back after eight months. The Findlay team won the intercollegiate competition and Bright and I won our individual division on the lowest score we’ve ever earned! It was a great start to my senior year!
What are your plans after graduation?
I want to continue to eventing after college and eventually ride internationally as a professional. The goal is to start my own training business where I will offer lessons for students and training for horses. Other goals I have that I want to achieve along the way are receiving my dressage judging license and course design license.
Veronica Escude
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2019
Major: Double major in English Equestrian Studies and Equine Business Management
What has your experience on the show team been like?
I have learned so much from being on the show team. I have been able to travel all around the east coast and visit all these super cool equestrian facilities and meet well-known riders and trainers. I really enjoy the girls on the team, everyone tries to help each other be as successful as they can, but we still like to be competitive as individuals. We always have a great time, even when we get rained out.
How have your classes at Findlay contributed to your showing success?
Findlay has given me the opportunity to ride some very challenging but very talented horses. I didn’t bring my horse to school with me so without the Findlay school horses I wouldn’t be able to compete. I also get to ride at least two horses a day. There was a point I had four very different horses to juggle. I think it’s very important to be able to ride many different horses in different situations. My riding has improved tremendously since I came to Findlay, trust me… you could ask my coach, Sue.
Has there been a particular instructor that you have been impacted by?
My coach, Sue King, is like a second mom to me. I wouldn’t be the rider I am today without her. I couldn’t thank her enough.
What is your favorite riding memory at Findlay?
I have so many to choose from. It would have to be either riding for my small silver medal in Germany or when Katie and I went to compete at the Intercollegiate Championships in Virginia.
What are your plans after graduation?
My career goal is to be a competitive four star eventer rider, with clients and a barn of my own.
The University of Findlay Eventing Team competes in four USEA recognized shows in Area 8. It is not necessary to be an equestrian major to participate on the team. Many riders major in a variety of other degrees and compete on the team. The Eventing Team is supported by UF, fundraising efforts and a combined training schooling show at The James L. Child Jr. Equestrian Complex. Riders can use university eventing horses or their own upon approval. For more information about the Eventing Team, please visit their home website. If you would like to learn more about becoming an English Equestrian student at the University of Findlay, visit www.findlay.edu/sciences/equestrian-studies/english-equestrian/.
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