Brought to you by The Plaidcast
Even though you’re teammates with your horse, riding is ultimately considered an individual sport. But that dynamic shifts entirely with collegiate equestrian teams, where athletes compete not only for themselves, but for their school and teammates. For Auburn University senior Baylee McKeever, being part of a Division I NCAA team has transformed her perspective on competition, responsibility, and collaboration.
Team Dynamics in an Individual Sport
Before college, Baylee’s riding was mostly shaped by her experiences at home with her family and the team at Castle Hill Farm. Entering Auburn’s structured team environment introduced her to an entirely new dynamic. “It’s very nice to be at school and riding with the team and kind of give you like a team feeling,” she said. “It’s good for such an individual sport where sometimes we don’t really get to experience that.”
Suddenly, her performance in the ring wasn’t just about her own results—it affected her teammates’ outcomes as well. That pressure comes with a new kind of motivation. “Accomplishing the same goal and having the same task at hand makes you stronger,” Baylee said. “You want to push yourself more because it’s not just for yourself. It’s for others around you.”
Beyond the Ring
Competing on a college team isn’t just about show results. It also involves a range of responsibilities outside of the arena. “We do a lot of things that aren’t riding in the ring,” Baylee noted. From team workouts and community events to mental preparation and academic commitments, the experience requires riders to grow in multiple areas.
Baylee believes these tasks have strengthened her as both a rider and a person. “That’s built like a very strong piece in me of like a team dynamic and how to work well with others,” she said.
Lessons That Translate to Life and Sport
Through her time on Auburn’s team, Baylee has gained skills that apply far beyond the confines of a college arena. Learning to collaborate with people who have different work styles has helped her become more adaptable, while showing up consistently for practices and meetings has reinforced a strong sense of accountability. Competing on behalf of her team, rather than just herself, taught her how to handle pressure in a new way and develop resilience. She’s also taken on leadership by setting a positive example for her teammates both in and out of the ring.
Perhaps most importantly, she’s gained perspective, understanding that every role, even if it’s not front and center, plays a part in the bigger picture. These lessons mirror the skills riders need at the highest levels of the sport and prepare them for future opportunities on teams and in professional environments.
The Joy of Something Different
In addition to the lessons, there’s a refreshing shift in mindset that comes with riding on a team. Baylee described her college competitions as “almost like a break from real shows.” She explained, “It’s more like a different kind of feeling. It’s like a different pressure and you want to do it more for your team and not just yourself.”
That distinction, between competing for personal gain and competing for collective success, adds richness to the college experience. It also offers a valuable reminder: no matter how skilled a rider is, growth comes from being part of something bigger.
To hear the full conversation with Baylee McKeever, listen to episode 439 of The Plaidcast. Subscribe and follow The Plaidcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear more inspiring stories from across the equestrian world.
