Maryland Equestrian Club puts on a show at Maryland Day while trying to raise money

A Maryland Equestrian Club rider showcases her skills
as a group at Maryland Day watches.

At the University of Maryland, anyone, from a beginner to an experienced rider, can join the equestrian club.

And Saturday at Maryland Day, the equestrian club showcased their skills.

At the campus farm, members of the Maryland Equestrian Club (MEC) competed in good-natured competitions. 

In a showring, a woman announced instructions over a loudspeaker and people crowded into bleachers to watch the performances.

Riders competed in levels ranging from beginner to advanced as they cajoled their horses in a trot, gallop or walk based on the woman's instructions.

The riders had been preparing for this day since August. 

After each competition, the standings were announced. 

But Saturday was about more than competition.

Equestrian Club needs money to keep horses fed and healthy

The Maryland Equestrian Club (MEC), which was created in 1998, was looking to raise money.

There was a box next to the showring asking for donations.

At a table a few hundred feet from the showring and next to the stables where the horses are housed. 

The activities also served as a way to promote the club to current and former students.

At the table, raffle tickets, food and other assorted items were for sale.

All proceeds went to MEC.

"We're raising money to buy supplies to take care of the campus horses," Yant said. "The Maryland Equestrian Club takes care of our campus horses. We ride them. We give their medicine to them."

Yant was one of several people who worked at the table. She had a 10 am-4 pm shift. 

"It's just a really fun way to get involved with animals," said Jill Yant, a sophomore member of the MEC.

The Equestrian Club held other activities, such as stick horse racing to promote interest in horse riding 

After the competition ended, the MEC remained. There were stick horse races in the showring.

Small children with a stick between their legs, meant to represent a horse, galloped from one end of the ring to the other and back again.

The MEC is open to all students at Maryland no matter their skill level or prior history, or lack thereof, or riding horses.

There's even a spot for people who love horses but don't want to ride.

They can help organize clinics and social events, such as the showcase at Maryland Day.