What is the NCAA Eligibility Center?
The NCAA Eligibility Center is a clearinghouse for all NCAA schools to certify your initial freshman eligibility both academically and athletically. It evaluates your academic record and your amateurism status. PSA’s should register with the Eligibility Center during their freshman or sophomore year of high school. It is required to be registered prior to making any official visits.

When a prospect has completed a university’s recruiting questionnaire, should she wait to see if she hears back from coaches before sending videos, riding resume and academic info?
The prospect should send all her recruiting materials, regardless of whether she hears back from a coach following submission of her questionnaire. Those materials can be submitted to coaches any time, although sophomore year is recommended for those in high school. Remember you will not receive a response from a coach if you send your information prior to June 15 following your sophomore year in high school.

At what point in a prospect's high school years is she advised to make initial contact with coaches at NCAA equestrian colleges to which she might wish to apply? 
Any time after June 15 after the prospect's sophomore year is recommended for initial contact with coaches either by email or phone call. In terms of correspondence, it's important to know that email, phone calls, and texts cannot be initiated by a coach until June 15 following the prospect’s sophomore year in high school. After June 15 following the prospect’s sophomore year coaches can have unlimited email, phone, or text communication with a prospect. Face-to-face contact cannot be made until August 1.

At what point is it recommended that a prospect make a personal campus visit to an NCAA equestrian college in which she's interested? 
Under NCAA rules, if a prospect wishes to make an "unofficial" visit (i.e., the candidate covers all of her own travel expenses), she is welcome to visit an equestrian campus at any time during her high school years – although freshman and sophomore athletes cannot have face to face contact with a coach when visiting the campus or the school’s equestrian facility. If a PSA visits a school unofficially on or after August 1 of her junior year in high school she would be permitted to have face to face contact with a coach. If a prospect is invited by a coach to make an "official" visit, she cannot make that official visit until August 1 of her junior year in high school. Under NCAA rules, candidates are permitted to accept up to five official visits (to five different universities) after August 1 of her junior year.

When a prospect visits a prospective NCAA equestrian college, is it recommended that a parent accompany her to meetings with the coach? 
Typically, parents are encouraged to attend meetings between coaches and their daughter. Coaches take this time to get to know the prospect's personality, and to allow the prospect an opportunity to ask her own questions. At the end of the visit, parents are encouraged to ask any questions that might not have been addressed. 

How realistic is it to expect an offer of an athletic scholarship? 
Scholarship criteria vary from institution to institution, but it should be noted that not every NCAA equestrian athlete is awarded scholarship funds. A select few receive full ride scholarships. Athletes can also receive partial scholarships. A number of athletes may not receive any type of athletic scholarship – but they might be eligible for partial (or full) academic scholarships, either from the respective colleges or from outside entities. Also, at some colleges, an athlete who starts on an equestrian team as a walk-on might earn an athletic scholarship over time as she continues to improve her riding, maintains a satisfactory academic standard and exhibits a hard-work ethic toward the team. 

Is a PSA allowed to win prize money at horse shows?
Under NCAA rules, athletes must be certified as an NCAA amateur athlete. The NCAA’s amateur status is determined differently from USEF’s, AQHA’s, APHA’s, and other equestrian competitive associations’ definitions. PSAs will be classified as amateurs if the prize money won in any given year prior to college does not exceed the amount of expenses incurred that year. Examples of those expenses include: entry fees, meals, lodging, stall fees, feed, trainer expenses, and gasoline and hauling expenses.

How many times do student athletes practice per week?
Typically, student-athletes practice on average three times per week, though each program has its own policies. Coaches build a practice schedule and assign student-athletes a different horse to ride at each practice. Because of the competition format, it is important for student-athletes to ride different horses for practice.

What type of horses do you ride?
Most equine athletes at NCAA equestrian programs have previous extensive show careers. Western horses are predominately quarter horses and paints. Jumping Seat horses consist of “A” Circuit quality thoroughbreds and warmbloods.

What other activities are mandatory for student-athletes?
Equestrian student-athletes have additional responsibilities in addition to riding. As with other sports, all athletes are required to participate in team strength and conditioning sessions. Each program has its own policies, but most programs work with strength and conditioning coaches three times per week. Academics is also an important component of being a student-athlete. Most programs require incoming freshmen to log study hours their first semester. Typically, study hours are reduced for good grades and are reassessed and assigned based on the student-athlete’s GPA. Most athletic departments have team community service involvement requirements as well. In addition, equestrian student-athletes can have other requirements that include team meetings, stable chores, competition preparation, and fundraising events.