UTM Increases Efforts to Maintain Equestrian Program

[Source: AQHA.com]

To read the full article on AQHA.com, click here.

The National Collegiate Equestrian Association is pleased to support to the University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian team in its efforts to raise $600,000 by June 1 of this year to have the resources to continue its program. 

“The NCEA is committed to add our support to the UTM equestrian staff and the outstanding student-athletes in that program,” NCEA Executive Director Dr. Leah Holland Fiorentino said. “We are hopeful that the NCEA membership and the UTM alumni will continue their successful efforts to raise additional funding for the program.  We are excited to see continued support from the UTM administration.”

UTM officials announced in November 2014 that the Skyhawk Equestrian program would be discontinued as a varsity sport based on the NCAA’s decision to remove equestrian from the NCAA’s list of emerging sports for women.  This decision regarding the UTM program would take effect following the spring of 2016 unless funding could be procured to sustain the program. Each student-athlete’s scholarship at UTM would be honored through her fourth academic year.

Recent developments within the NCAA, including a vote to table the removal of equestrian as an emerging sport, have encouraged UTM to continue its equestrian program and seek outside funding to maintain a long-term high quality program.