THE TEAM

The University of Cincinnati Equestrian Team (UCET) was founded in 1997. It is a nationally competitive club sport at the university with Semi-Varsity status. The team contains all skill levels and we are very proud of that. As a team, we work together to gain skill and knowledge of horses, the sport of riding, and competition. UCET is a great team to be a part of and is made up of showing and non-showing members of both Western and Hunt Seat disciplines.

If you would like more information about joining the team please visit the Join the Team section.

COMPETITION

UCET is a part of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) riding in hunt seat equitation on the flat and over fences, reining, and western horsemanship. UCET competes in Zone 6, region 3 within the IHSA, showing against Xavier University, University of Kentucky, Morehead State University, Midway College, Ohio University Southern, University of Louisville, Northern Kentucky University, and Marshall University.

In order to be eligible to compete within the IHSA, students must be enrolled full-time at any college within the University of Cincinnati system carrying a current load of twelve credit hours or more. Due to IHSA rules, only undergraduate students can compete. Graduate students who competed within IHSA during their undergraduate study can compete within the IHSA alumni division.

For more information on IHSA please visit www.IHSAinc.com or www.campusequestrian.com

THE COACH

Missy Jo Hollingsworth grew up showing horses. She competed in both the western and hunter arena all through grade and high school. When she was not competing she was riding along to various farms in her father’s farrier truck. In college she rode for Dr. Charles Anderson at Western Kentucky University on the equestrian team and competed on the judging team. Both teams were nationally competitive and the equestrian team won the national title in 1990. At the National IHSA competition in 1992, Missy Jo was announced as winning the IHSA scholarship. At the same time she rode dressage horses winning the Dr. Benson Jr. Young Rider Award.

In April of 1996, with the help of Joe Kremer in construction and the business guidance of Nancy Kremer, Saddle Lake Equestrian Center opened its doors. Missy Jo has become a well-respected trainer and has been named “Trainer of the Year” by the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association five times (’03-’05, ’07-’08). She is an American Quarter Horse Association Professional Horseman, and a Kentucky Equine Education Project team leader. She is also currently the president of the Mid-East Quarter Horse Association.

Over the years, Missy Jo has had many students win and place at AQHA Select World Show, AQHA Youth World Shows, IBHA World Shows and the world’s largest single-breed horse show, the All-American Quarter Horse Congress.

Missy Jo, along with Geralyn Coyle, owns Sonnys Hot Jazz, one of the most versatile stallions being bred today. “Sonny” is a multiple World and Congress Champion and sire of many World, International, and Congress champions. This year, the breeding program included seven embryo transfers of which we were 100% successful.

But most importantly Missy Jo is blessed with her children, Preston, Jordan, Delaney and Madison. Any of whom are usually close to her side.

The University of Cincinnati Equestrian team hired Missy Jo in 2007. Since then the team has moved from 8 riders to 50. In 2007 for the first time in UCET history, the team was top five in the region for both western and hunt seat division. In 2008, the Western team took the regional title and the Hunt seat team was fourth overall.

Missy Jo is dedicated to providing the best possible care for horses, teaching students the fundamentals of riding, whether they are beginner or advanced, and providing a fun, safe environment in which to learn. Missy Jo wants to help her students develop a strong sense of self-esteem and confidence with horses and in their everyday lives.

You can contact Missy Jo at me@missyjo.com or visit her website at www.SaddleLakeEquestrian.com.