College of Charleston Equestrian Team Is Riding High

^{Above: Olivia Lonneman riding at White Horses in Huger, South Carolina (Photos by Mike Ledford)}

After bursting onto the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) scene last season, defeating then-No. 1 ranked Lynchburg in Single Discipline in their first-ever NCEA meet, the College of Charleston equestrian team is poised to become national champions this season. 

All-American Camilla Murray and the NCEA squad will open the campaign Sept. 27 at Lynchburg before a pair of home meets at White Horses LLC on Oct. 17 against Sweet Briar and Oct. 18 versus Berry. 

The competitive team of 32 student-athletes added the NCEA format last year.

“It provides more competitive experiences for female athletes, which is very important,” says head coach Natasha “Tash” Vitkovic.  

Assistant coach Hope King emphasizes that the team would not have had such immediate NCEA success without having first been a competitive Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) team. “We are all one. Our motto last year was ‘two formats, one team.’”  

Both coaches say they are grateful for the flexibility of student-athletes willing to transition from one format to another in order to help build a more competitive program.  

Senior Olivia Welsh was on the IHSA roster for the past three years, and is new to the NCEA format. She observed her team compete at NCEA nationals last year and hopes to compete this season.

“I’m really hoping this year we can pull off the win,” says the business administration major from outside of Chicago, who has been the team captain for two consecutive years. “That’d be a really cool way to finish out my journey here at the College.”  

Fellow student-athlete Lainie Rubin, a junior international studies and political science major from Columbia, South Carolina, worked hard in the off season and feels ready to compete for the national championship both physically and mentally.

“I’m just feeling very excited and prepared,” she says. “There’s always some possibility that with enough hard work and the right attitude, you can really make opportunities for yourself.” 

And for the team. No matter the outcome of the season, the coaches cultivate a culture of positivity.

“We want the girls leaving here every day feeling like they’ve contributed to something worthwhile,” King says.  

“We’ve already won by being ranked,” adds Vitkovic, who invites students, faculty and staff to come out to White Horses to cheer on the team in October.

King agrees: “In the spring, we got into our groove. It was a real confidence boost. We can do this.”