As part of a new initiative to get Asbury University equine students and horses to off-campus events, university professor Catherin Wilbanks competed at the Lexington Equine Medical Group Hunter Pace and 5K at the Kentucky Horse Park earlier this month.
While Wilbanks and her horse did not place in the competition, the event was another stride towards progress for the school-owned horse’s well-being and laid further groundwork for future competitions involving students, said Wilbanks.
A hunter pace is a competitive event where a team of riders and horses navigate an outdoor course within an optimum time, made to simulate the conditions of traditional foxhunting. Competitors traverse woods, fields, ponds and jump obstacles.
Wilbanks rode Shaquille, an 11-year-old Oldenburg horse who was donated to the university in 2023.
Wilbanks and Shaquille attended their first hunter pace in May 2024 at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Harrodsburg. The decision to attend the hunter pace arose from a concern for Shaquille’s mental wellbeing.
“It boosts his mood and motivation… He gets to go out and play and have fun, and then he comes back and is in a better frame of mind to do the harder work we ask him to do,” said Wilbanks. “Outside in green spaces, outside in nature—that shows you what he can do. He actually has a draw towards jumping. He likes jumping.”
Shaquille came to Asbury aggressive, unmotivated and with an unhealthy relationship to work. Through careful rehabilitation, Shaquille has started to enjoy his time with humans. Shaquille is used for hunter paces and for Vaulting Club, in which students perform gymnastics on horseback.
Over the summer of 2024 Wilbanks took equine summer staff to hunter paces, then in the following fall she opened up the opportunity for students to attend a hunter pace with school horses.
“It’s good for the horses, it’s good for the students,” said Wilbanks.
To run in an open field with other horses is good for the animal’s mental wellbeing. Getting away from the daily routine of the school year is fun for both horse and rider.
However, not everyone can compete at a hunter pace. Paces are physically taxing for both horse and rider, and there is significant risk involved. According to a 2018 study, 45% of participants reported seeking medical attention for an injury received while riding, with 20% of those injuries having taken place while riding on trails.
Only students who can manage and accept the risks of riding in a hunter pace are allowed to compete with school horses.
While Wilbanks did not take students to Sunday’s hunter pace, she plans to bring students to the next pace at Shaker Village in October. Last year, Wilbanks held tryouts. This year interested students will be selected through the hunter/jumper riding club, where the club leaders will assess a rider’s competency to ensure student safety while at the competition.
Photo courtesy of Asbury.
