Audrey Van Eman

Equestrian Head Coach

The New Mexico State equestrian team program, I feel, is unique from nearly any other program in the nation. I have found in my time here as coach, that our team and university is a gem among the large powerhouse schools we compete against outside of the WAC. As coach Robin Morris and I are starting to bring our competition and recruiting season to a close, we have found that NM State is a draw for the serious collegiate equestrian. We are very excited about our recruiting class for next year and are looking forward to a winning season.

The largest enticement for our potential recruits is roster size. NM State’s equestrian roster is smaller than most. Many of the Varsity Equestrian Universities carry up to 60 ladies on their roster. Here, at NM State, we carry 25-30 for the season. This means for the task of recruiting, we can really focus on the best of the best, and not try to fill a large number of roster spots. For the recruits, it means more specialized attention from the coaches, more time in the saddle at practice, higher frequency of practices, greater chance of competing and a larger chance for scholarship and financial aid. As a team, our small size makes for a large family. There is a cohesive bond between our student-athletes that carries far outside of practice and competition, and anyone who spends time with our team cannot ignore it.

Because the largest and most prestigious horse shows and competitions are held outside of New Mexico, we find that most of our strongest recruits are from out-of-state. One of the most frequent questions that we as coaches get from potential recruits is, “what’s the weather like out there?” I can’t think of any other place in the nation that has weather so perfect for riding. It doesn’t rain us out during our practice season. We never have to cancel competitions or slop through the mud. It (nearly) never snows. There are no hurricanes, tornados, floods, earthquakes or below freezing temperatures during the day. No humidity when it’s hot. This winter we brought in three recruits from the east coast that confirmed that NM State is on the top of their list. If this program didn’t sell itself, the weather did.

The last thing I hear from my recruits that makes them fall in love with NM State and the equestrian team is the campus atmosphere. NM State is unique from nearly all other Varsity Equestrian universities because our facilities are actually on campus. Our potential recruits see that you can go straight to practice from class or the dorms rather than get in the car and drive for 20 minutes to a farm out of town. They get to see that the facilities are open to the public and that often families and students that love horses come out to visit us, not to mention that the staff and students here are some of the friendliest.

I am truly excited for next season. Though I am losing some of my most experienced and confident riders as the seniors are graduating, the freshmen I anticipate on signing are some of the strongest junior amateur riders in the nation. NM State may not be the largest or flashiest school in Varsity Equestrian, but it in my opinion; it has so much more to offer.