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Recruitment is a common process in the world of college sports. However, a sport that often differs from traditional recruitment techniques is horseback riding.

At Liberty University, the equestrian center is finishing up expansions to the facilities that include two riding arenas, another barn and additional pastures, according to the equestrian center’s website. With the bigger and improved facilities, the school is seeking to expand their collegiate riding program as well. Executive director and head coach Jim Arrigon and his staff have attend multiple horse shows to seek out new talent for the team.

“I (…) attend annual clinics at Mount Holyoke, twice and Randolph College, twice at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) and also at Delaware Valley University, Centenary College and the Ohio (University),” Arrigon said. “I teach as many as I can in order to scout (talent)… and go to the College Prep Invitationals in Florida and Texas.”

However, traveling to seek out talent is not an exact science and Arrigon relies on other strategies to draw skilled riders to the teams. These tactics have to suit the unique aspects of collegiate riding, which involves team members competing in different skill levels to earn points for the team. Thus, equestrian recruitment varies from the way many other sports operate.

“It’s a little more difficult than most sports because you don’t just want to recruit the best of the best,” Western coach Lauren Eagles said. “Otherwise you would then have all (very experienced) riders when you need to get people who fall in the different levels,” Western coach Lauren Eagles said.

However, there are similarities to other sports’ recruiting process as Arrigon keeps an eye out for team players and riders that want to be part of the team. The coaches also look for riders that already attend or are committed to coming to Liberty.

“I think the biggest recruiting thing is targeting people who are already coming to Liberty that ride and making sure that they know we have a team,” Eagles said.

Riders that Arrigon and Eagles hope will attend and compete at Liberty are then approached in a variety of ways.

“I know if I can show (potential students) a nice Liberty horse, and our nice arena, and show some good teaching, we can attract some good kids,” Arrigon said.

Though equestrians use novel ways to approach riders, the recruitment process is still regulated at the NCAA level and coaches must ensure they follow stipulations. However, since Liberty runs the equestrian team as a club sport, there are few limitations on what coaches can do, according to Arrigon.

While the University does provide travel expenses and promotional material for recruitment, there are no scholarships for club sport athletes. This makes it harder for Liberty to appeal to top riders that are pursued by multiple riding programs.

“Last year it was impossible because we had no facility to show them … and eventually I had to tell them that our team wasn’t very good,” Arrigon said.

However, prime student riders still seriously consider Liberty and are thriving in the program, according to Arrigon. Sophomore Zoe Leppke was hesitant to join the team at Liberty until Arrigon approached her.

“I always knew I wanted to have my horse with me but I wasn’t planning on being on the team,” Leppke said. “After a few conversations with head coach Jim, I tried out and I could not be happier with my decision.”

Leppke is now the novice fences point rider for Liberty. In addition to Leppke, Freshman Bailey Boan, who turned down a scholarship to ride at Emory and Henry College, had specific reasons she decided to attend Liberty as a rider.

“I came to Liberty because I wanted a school that was centered around the Lord in more than just their words, but in their actions,” Boan said. “I also wanted a school that had fun while pushing their students academically; Liberty was the perfect fit.”

Though the amenities of Liberty draw some riders to the school, Arrigon finds it harder to attract others. He is hopeful that the school will be more willing to offer incentives and opportunities to attract incoming riders in the future.

“I would like to be involved in providing horses for IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) nationals,” Arrigon said. “If we can sit (riders) on a nice Liberty horse in our nice tack with a LU logo pad, that will go further to promote us than anything else.”

In the meantime, Arrigon uses sincerity and honesty about the team and its strengths and weaknesses to establish good rapport with potential students. He also relies on current team members to recruit by word of mouth and representing well at shows.

“Team members are role models back home,” Arrigon said. “(We want) them to talk to the good kids in their barns back home and spread a good word for Liberty.”

In addition to returning riders and good placings, the new facilities also help bring new riders to a decision. Even if freshman are not ready to join the team, those with horses can board at the barn and be “on deck” in case they are needed, assistant hunter coach Kimberly Counts added.

The center’s new academic courses for beginning and intermediate riders are another avenue that Eagles and Arrigon use to prepare future team riders that may not have made the cut.

“Some just need more regular riding,” Arrigon said. “Others need to be around a good program where they can watch others who are stronger riders than they.”

Staff member Meghan Nedow teaches the classes which help teach new riders the correct way to ride and gives the riders an opportunity to show a teachable heart and good attitude. This in turn sets them up for future success as a possible rider on the team, according to Nedow. Boan takes both the kinesiology class and regular lessons in order to get more riding time.

“The best way to get better is practice,” Boan said. “Having two extra practices a week, where we dissect every aspect of riding, really keeps me sharp along with two team practices a week.”

This work ethic is what Arrigon and Eagles are looking for in future riders, even if their skills may be lacking. The team has grown, but the need for riders with an adaptable and team focused spirit holds steady.

Though there is room for improvement on the recruitment end, Arrigon is pleased with his 2016–2017 team. Most recently, the hunt seat team won the blue ribbon at their first show of the season in Richmond, Va.

“It can only get better from here,” Arrigon said.