The Kent School equestrian program is a team made up of twelve hardworking students and dedicated trainers. The members have the mission to improve not only how well they perform while on the horse, but also how to meet their horse’s needs while not riding, the basis of being an excellent horseman or horsewoman.
The athletes on the team are encouraged to participate in equestrian for all three terms, and many of them do. The trainers there work with them five days a week on riding, as well as an extra sixth day for horsemanship, which involves learning how to properly care, groom, and treat your horse while not riding it. Every student gets a personalized training experience from the trainers, tailored to what every horse and equestrian needs to improve.
The head trainer, Lauren Meehan, started working with horses because she was intrigued by the puzzle that horses are, and she enjoys figuring out how to “make a horse be the best version of itself.” She said that her favorite part of working at Kent is the sense of community and being able to see the companionship between students and horses. She appreciates having a stable on campus, and that students who have free time during the day can schedule to get picked up and dropped off so they can have individual lesson times.
Besides Ms. Lauren, there are also many outside trainers, all of whom are either Olympics champions, highly-regarded trainers in their area, or owners of barns themselves who visit the stables to assist with training, allowing the students to have a learning experience provided by different instructors with various points of view and methods.
The team goes to regular competitions off campus every term, and hosts two shows at the stable where they are based: the Michael O’ Page Equestrian Center, about five miles away from school. It has two outdoor arenas, multiple acres of grass for leisure riding and turnout, an indoor arena, and a stable with 32 stalls. Transport brings the students to and from the barn almost every day, and during home shows, anyone who is interested in spectating can be picked up multiple times during the day. The indoor arena is also being renovated to include better heating and AC, soundproofing, and insulation.
Upcoming events to keep an eye out for from the equestrian team are Old Salem Farm Welcome Weekend on May 3, HITS Hudson Valley Overnight Trip from May 15-17, and the Kent School Spring Classic on May 23, which students and faculty are all welcome to attend.
