When Trouble Comes: A day in the life of a Texas Tech equestrian team member

By Malone Graham, Special Contributor to the Hub@TTU

Trouble comes for opponents when the Texas Tech Equestrian Team steps into the arena at a competition.

Trouble also comes when his rider, Kaycee Edwards, leads him into the Wilson Arena at the Texas Tech Equestrian Center.

Edwards, a senior at Tech, is the Horse Coordinator Officer for the university’s equestrian team. While ensuring the health and well-being of horses, she also manages the team’s communication with the center, where she works. She competes for the English team, though she is also in charge of the Western team’s horses.

Driving around the center, it is hard not to be overwhelmed by the facilities and the acreage they cover. One whiff of the air as I step out of the car, and I know I am in for an experience unlike any I had ever had.

It is time for equestrian team practice.

Edwards takes her beloved 4-year-old horse, Trouble, out of his pen and brushes his coat. With clean hair, Trouble is tacked, that is, he is equipped with a half and saddle pad, saddle, bridle, halter and reins. He lets out a loud neigh, and off we go to the arena.

Both the English and Western equestrian teams have two one-hour practices a week and most members have multiple personal ride times in that span. These work outs are often led by Coach Danica Jorgensen, but sometimes officers offer instruction, too.

These practices prepare the team of over 50 for their competitions, which took place at West Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Tarleton State this semester. In the spring, they will return to West Texas A&M, and compete at Texas Tech and Las Cruces for the regionals. At competitions, they ride one of Tech’s 28 team horses, which is what Edwards typically rides at practice.

Though there are horses at every turn, the arena is its own kind of peaceful. The sound of hooves and riders’ soft corrections to their treasured animals fill the air. Even from the stands, the connection between every rider and their horse is evident.

Edwards participates in the advanced practice, which is after the beginner and intermediate level work outs. Before she and Trouble take the arena, the newer riders focus on having correct posture and control.

For Edwards, her goals are respecting leg, riding completely loose rein, being smooth and responsive and maintaining control. She begins with a few warmup laps and pep talks with Trouble. There is no music in the arena, no sudden movements, just each rider locked in with their horse, seemingly focused on nothing else besides the ride.

With just one hour for a lot of work, the strictly scheduled practice begins as Jorgensen rallies her team together to describe the stations set up. Right away, riders lead their horses and begin equitation, trying to perfect different positions and turns. They next move to flat barrel work and finish the hour with horsemanship patterns.

While my ignorance shined while watching, my curiosity grew. Each move is specific. Coach corrects her riders’ hands position more than anything else, calling for ‘softer hands’ or grip on the reins. Smiles paint the faces of each rider as they share laughs about each other and their horses.

One thing is clear during practice, this team loves each other and horses. That is Edwards’ favorite part about being on the equestrian team. She has friends who share her love for hard work, competition and horses.

Her friends probably experience the same stress relief she does on Trouble when riding their horses. Pure joy and calmness radiate from Edwards as she describes her horse’s personality and all he has done for her. She genuinely admits as she is working on him, he is working on her.

When she is sitting on a saddle, she leaves stress and worry about school and life behind. The long to-do list in her mind disappears, and benefits come for her both mentally and emotionally. The delight in her voice cannot be misheard when she talks about her time with Trouble.

He is the first thoroughbred, or horse breed usually used for racing, she is training from start to finish to become an equestrian competition horse. She credits her coaches and trainers for guiding her through the transition process.

The tight-knit team takes their horses for cooldown laps as practice winds down and more work begins.

After practice, Edwards untacks Trouble and hoses him off before putting liniment treatment on his legs and back. She uses the gel to relieve any muscle soreness, stiffness and inflammation he might be feeling. Dinner is next.

We walk to his stall, and she ties him up to begin getting his food together. She feeds him four pounds of Purina Ultium Competition feed with a few large alpha pellets. Lastly, he is given his third flake of coastal hay for the day.

A quick pat and kiss from Edwards leaves Trouble feeling like he was nothing close to what his name suggests at practice.

A tired yet fulfilled Edwards says goodbye and drives away in her dually truck, ready to do it all again tomorrow.

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