By RAEGAN RAST
I started Educated Rider in 2023 with the goal of educating prospective student-athletes (PSAs) and their families on how to navigate the collegiate recruiting process based on their unique athletic, academic, and personal needs. As a former Division I student-athlete, I leveraged my relationships with coaches to gain insights into what they look for in a recruit and the best ways to stand out during the recruiting process.
With the rise of collegiate equestrian, there is often confusion about the best way for PSAs to approach recruitment. Below, I outline key dates and essential tools to help navigate this process effectively.
Important Communication Dates
June 15: The summer before a PSA’s junior year marks the date when Division I coaches (most of whom lead dual-discipline teams with Jumping Seat and Western riders) can begin written and verbal communication with recruits. However, I encourage riders to email coaches ahead of this date to get on their radar. For Division II and Division III schools (primarily single-discipline Jumping Seat teams), coaches can begin communication at any time, as their recruiting guidelines differ slightly.
August 1: Beginning August 1 of a PSA’s junior year, Division I schools can host in-person visits. There are two types:
- Official visits: Invitations extended by coaches to prospective recruits they want to impress.
- Unofficial visits: Scheduled by the PSA to express interest in the team and the university.
Unofficial visits are crucial during junior year to build relationships with coaches and demonstrate enthusiasm for both the equestrian program and the university. For Division II and III schools, unofficial visits can occur at any time, but official visits must take place after June 15 before junior year for Division II and after January 1 of junior year for Division III universities.
The Best Recruiting Tools
YouTube Channel: A PSA’s YouTube channel is the #1 recruiting tool. Keeping it updated and including a graduation year in the description is essential. Ideally, coaches want to see PSAs riding a variety of horses, whether in show videos or clips from schooling sessions at home or camp.
Emails: Email communication is a primary tool in the recruiting process. Pay attention to spelling, grammar, and addressing the correct coach. Be persistent—coaches are busy, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t receive an immediate response.
Website/Resume: While some coaches appreciate a website in an introductory email, it is a “nice to have” asset not a “must have’. However, a well-prepared resume is beneficial for initial outreach. Updating and resending the resume as accomplishments grow is a good practice.
Camps & Unofficial Visits
On our podcast, WEQ Weekly, we recently interviewed Division I University of South Carolina Jumping Seat Coach Ashley Duda. She shared insights on what South Carolina looks for in a recruit and how to stand out:
Camp: “Camp is the best time for us to see how coachable someone is and to learn more about their personality. You can’t know everything, but you get a sense of who they are by watching them work, interact with ‘teammates,’ and navigate camp. If you don’t have a big show record, get into camps—that’s probably the best thing you can do.”
Unofficial Visits: “If you come on an unofficial visit, we will try to arrange experiences that give you a true sense of what it would be like to be a student here. Not every school is the right fit, and it’s important for students to find where they belong, whether that’s here or at another school.”
Final Thoughts
Everyone’s collegiate recruiting journey is unique and unfolds on its own timeline, but the key communication strategies and recruiting tools remain the same for nearly all prospective student-athletes.
Happy recruiting!
About:
Raegan Rast is the Founder of Educated Rider. Take your collegiate recruiting experience by the reins
Link to WEQ Weekly Podcast: From the Coach’s Corner: The Evolution of College Equestrian & Building USC’s Championship Culture with Coach Ashley Duda
Instagram: @educated__rider
Website: educatedrider.com
