The Dartmouth equestrian team is galloping into the spotlight after an undefeated fall season that has vaulted them to the number-one spot in the Eastern College Athletic Conference. Since its transition in 2021 from the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association to the more competitive ECAC — a single-discipline league for English riding on the East Coast — the team has shown tremendous growth and determination.
The equestrian season spans two seasons, fall and spring. According to team member Chloe Terestchenko ’25, Dartmouth’s strong fall portion laid the groundwork for continued success in the second half of the competitive season.
“This year has been really exciting,” Terestchenko said. “We’ve worked so hard to get to this point. Being undefeated at home this fall gave us the momentum to claim the number-one ranking after just our third or fourth meet.”
Last season, the team made history with a semifinal appearance at the National Collegiate Equestrian Association National Championships — an impressive feat for their first season competing at that level.
Team member Sam Tackas ’27 also expressed enthusiasm about the promising start to the season. She said she believes in the team’s ability to compete for the championship again this year.
“We’re kind of an up-and-coming team just because we recently joined the ECAC a couple of years ago, so we’re building things up, and it’s exciting to see that paying off,” she said. “Nationals last year was a great experience, but it was our first time there, so we were still figuring things out. This year, we’re ranked first, and with how strong our fall season was, I think we have a really good chance at nationals to win.”
Currently, the team is practicing in Hanover, despite the weather. Tackas said it can be “a little tough” to practice equestrian in New England’s harsh winters.
“Our facility is about 15 minutes away, and we have an indoor arena to ride in during the winter,” Tackas said. “It’s still a little chilly, but the horses are super well-behaved, and we make it work. It’s impressive for them, too, honestly.”
According to Terestchenko, the team’s success has been a group effort, fueled by a strong sense of camaraderie and an “uplifting” team culture.
Terestchenko said the team’s supportive nature is “what sets [it] apart.”
Team member Elise Stephens ’28 said the group’s closeness was “awesome,” adding that she was excited about being part of such an elite team in her freshman season.
“I knew that Dartmouth had the potential to be a top team or the top team in the country, and I was really just excited to join a close-knit team,” she said. “Coming from a smaller high school and smaller sports teams, I was excited to have a similar dynamic here.”
Stephens also highlighted the team dynamics, noting a lack of “internal competition.”
“It’s all about helping each other and working toward the best for the team,” Stephens said. “That supportive environment is one of my favorite parts of being on this team.”
Dartmouth equestrian’s recent success builds on a legacy of strong performances in their last league. The team consistently excelled in IHSA competitions, earning titles such as Ivy Champions — five times, most recently in 2016 — IHSA Zone I, Region 2 Champion — six times, most recently in 2018 — and even finishing 10th at the 2014 IHSA National Championships. Their consistent high-level IHSA performances set the stage for their move to the ECAC, a league that has further challenged and elevated the team.
The team will compete in two meets in February before traveling to ECAC regionals in Charleston, S.C., in March. The team’s performance at regionals will determine whether they will qualify for nationals in April.
Stephens said that because the team only had one away meet in the fall, she is “excited to travel with [her] teammates” and “continue building on [their] progress.”
The team’s future looks bright, with strong leadership from coaches and promising talent in younger riders.
“Every year, we get incredible riders who raise the bar even higher,” Stephens said. “I’m excited to see where this team goes in the coming years.”
When asked what makes the team special, Tackas emphasized the strong bond among the riders.
“We all connect really well and work well together,” she said. “Everyone on the team, whether they compete or not, plays a huge role in our success. It’s all hands on deck at all times, and we celebrate each other as much as we celebrate ourselves. That’s what makes this team so special.”
