SMU has a team on campus that is thriving, despite little knowledge about the sport.

The equestrian team recently moved up to No. 11 in the Intercollegiate Equestrian Coaches Poll that was released last Tuesday. This title comes after an upset from No.3-ranked Georgia, 7-5, the biggest in team history. It was the Mustangs’ first home match this fall at Park Lane Equestrian Center.

In the win, freshman Claire Wenholz had an 89-80 victory on the flat and earned the honor of MVP in equitation. The Mustangs received seven points from seven different riders.

Earlier in the fall, SMU fell to the Bulldogs 8-4 in Athens, Ga..

The Mustangs are off until next semester. Their first spring meet will be at No. 4 Baylor, and they also face No.11 Delware State in the spring.

Many people are unaware of what exactly happens in NCAA equestrian. The average size of current women’s equestrian teams is 46, ranging from 20 to 85 athletes. Teams compete either head to head or in a tournament-style format. Each team is required to ride the same horse provided by the host school, and judges’ scores are compared across horses.

The format includes hunt seat equitation on the flat, and over fences and western horsemanship and reining. Hunt seat competition includes both the flat and over the fences. Riders are judged based on the horse’s movement and form, and in equitation classes on the rider’s ability both on the flat and over fences.

The varsity equestrian competition season ends with the Varsity Equestrian National Championships, Each year, there are three titles at stake: Overall Team Champion, Hunt Seat Team Champion and Western Team Champion.

In order to hold an NCAA Equestrian Championship, there must be a least 40 Division I or Division II schools that have a varsity level equestrian team. Twenty three colleges and universities currently offer equestrian as a varsity sport and more get added every year.