Saddle Up for New Season for the Mississippi College Equestrian Team

MC's newest horse, E.S. Cassini Grand in action.

First-class horses and outstanding student athletes are part of the winning formula for Mississippi College’s equestrian team.

MC’s talented squad soon saddles up for its 13^th season. Key dates include pre-season training camp at Providence Hill Farm August 19-23.

The Fall schedule for the MC Choctaws team features competition hosted by Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas October 12-13. Mississippi College will welcome riders from the region for more events November 2-3.

MC’s team for the upcoming season will be comprised of undergraduates from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. The roster continues to expand, says equestrian program director Ann Skogerboe.

So does MC’s supply of fleet horses in Providence Hill Farm stables.

The newest horse on the scene is a great stallion named E.S. Cassini Grand. The 15-year-old horse was recently donated to Mississippi College by a Dallas, Texas resident. The horse competed in shows in Europe in jumper divisions before taking part in events around the USA.

“Cassini is a gentle giant and will help teach the team the necessary skills to ride a variety of horses,” Skogerboe said. “I look forward to using him in our program and am very grateful for the opportunity to work with Cassini.”

Horses with names like Hale Bopp, Mac, Quinn and Laddie jumped hurdles as essential components of Mississippi College’s equestrian squad over the first 12 years.

Last season, Mississippi College equestrian riders competed for ribbons in a new region in Louisiana and Texas to face teams like Tulane, Rice, LSU and Texas State.

One of the South’s premier equestrian squads, Mississippi College is part of the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association.

Collegiate equestrian teams are located at schools such as Auburn University, the University of Georgia, Cornell University in New York, Baylor, Ohio State, and Berry College in Georgia. IHSA serves more than 400 college equestrian teams across the USA and Canada.

Last year’s co-captain, Kaylyn Kimpel of Orlando, Florida competed for her fourth and final season as a Lady Choctaw.

Joining the Blue & Gold squad practically as an inexperienced freshman, Kaylyn remains thankful for the helping hand from her teammates. “Whether it was tucking my hair into my helmet at shows, giving me pointers or cheering me on, they were there for me.”

Capiche is the name of one of the Floridian’s favorite horses at team headquarters, 2,000-acre Providence Hill Farm.