Senior Bella McCracken has a love for horseback riding so it only makes sense for her to take her talents with her to the next level. McCracken began riding around fifth grade and began competing when she went into seventh grade.  Her events are Hunter and Equitation.

“Hunter is where the judges focus on the horse on how they move and negotiate the jumps and Equitation is where the judge is solely judging the rider and how they perform on the horse,” said McCracken.

In the fall, she will compete on the Seton Hill Griffin Equestrian Team.

“At Seton Hill I will compete in IHSA, where you basically do the same thing but you don’t ride your own horse,” said McCracken.

To learn more about these events click this link.

Seton Hill is one of only five Division II schools in the country that has equestrian as a team sport.  They compete in events sponsored by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.  Because the team is affiliated with NCAA, they must follow all NCAA rules regarding recruitment, practices and scheduling.  The equestrian program at Seton Hill was elevated from club sport to varsity status in 2006.

To learn more about Seton Hill’s equestrian team, watch the video attached to this story.

McCracken plans to double major in chemistry and kinesiology.

EE: Why did you choose Seton Hill?

BM: I was torn between Penn State University Park and Seton Hill. I chose Seton Hill because they have so much more to offer. Their team is ranked second in the Intercollegiate riding and their Kinesiology program is on top.

EE: What are  you most excited for in college?

BM: I am most excited to branch away from this small town and to compete on the collegiate level in equestrian. I am also excited about studying a double major.

EE: What will you miss the most about playing sports at TAHS?

BM: I will miss my interscholastic team and my trainers, Ed and Sharon. I will also miss competing in national circuits and being a part of my tight knit “family.”

EE: What advice would you give to younger athletes?

BM: Never ever give up what you’re doing. I have fallen and gotten hurt so many times and if I had let that get to me, I wouldn’t be the athlete I am today and I wouldn’t be getting recruited by two major schools.

EE: What is your intended major?

BM: Chemistry and kinesiology.