Watt is Equestrian?
HWU Equestrian Club is dedicated to providing opportunities for all levels of riders, from complete beginners who may have never even sat on a horse before to more advanced riders looking to compete.
We offer weekly riding lessons with friendly, qualified instructors for beginners and intermediate riders who are not looking to compete. These lessons will consist of learning how to ride and improving your skills as well as learning how to tack up and look after the horses in the stable.
Competitions
For those more competitive and advanced riders we have one team who represent the University and compete in the BUCS leagues. These competitions involve a novice dressage test and a short round of show jumps. Each team has three competitions in the BUCS league every year, a team consists of only four riders and reserves which are picked during team trials during October. A typical competition consists of a dressage test with a horse that you pick from random, you get a short warm up to get to know your horse before starting your test, a member from each other team will ride the same horse as you and you will be scored in comparison to each other.
The showjumping is style jumping so is judged on penalties for knockdowns and refusals as well as your approach, take off and landing from each jump.
In the past we have also hosted a WATT cup competition where the club is split into yellows and blues and compete against each other whether it is with a show jumping competition or polo match!
Socials
The club try to host group rides out with normal lessons; this could be trying polo or group hacks into the countryside! We love to see all our members out with the saddle as well whether it is a themed pub night or a dinner and movie night in, there is lots of opportunities to catch up over each semester including with our alumni, who we love to see.
You will also have a chance to attend the sports ceilidh and sports ball which is a great occasion to dress up and have a memorable night out with the club!
Volunteering
HWU Equestrian Club is also extremely proud of the relationship we have built with the local RDA (Riding for the disabled Association) located in Ravelrig. We have lots of volunteers which go along weekly to help out wherever needed, this can involve mucking out, grooming horses and filling haynets. We welcome anyone interested in this volunteering opportunity, it can be an amazing way to spend your Sunday mornings.
Social Media
We love to keep everyone updated on what is going on in our club, to see what we have been up to give us a follow on our Instagram and Tiktok! Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions!
You can find us on social media by searching for HeriotWattEquestrianClub