UTM is excited to announce the addition of a women’s varsity equestrian team to its athletic department for 2006. UTM is the 21st school to add equestrian and is working in conjunction with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) to advance the sport to championship status within the NCAA. The team will compete in both the hunt seat and western disciplines, with emphasis on hunt seat equitation on the flat and over fences, as well as horsemanship and reining in western. Other schools with varsity programs include University of Georgia, Auburn, University of South Carolina, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Texas A&M and Fresno State.

Equestrian Facilities The Ned R. McWherter Agricultural Complex will be the home competition venue for the UTM Equestrian Team. The 82,000 square-foot compound was completed in 1984 and includes a 24,000-square-foot arena and seating for 3,200 people. There is a 185-stall barn adjacent to the complex. The McWherter Agricultural Complex hosts monthly West Tennessee Quarter Horse and Cutting Horse competitions, as well as other agriculture and community events. Renovations to the complex include the addition of an attached covered arena.

Graves Stables is the home of UTM horses. The stables include 10 stalls, three wash racks and three tack rooms. There are approximately 30 acres of turnout, which includes seven paddocks. The university is in the process of acquiring another 60 acres for turnout. The UT Martin Equestrian Team is adding an outdoor arena (135 ft. x 250 ft.) adjacent to Graves Stables to be used for practices.

UTM currently competes in Zone 5, Region 2 of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association with Maryville (Tenn.), Middle Tennessee State University, Mississippi State University, Murray State (Ky.), Rhodes College (Tenn.), The University of Tennessee, Tennessee Tech, Vanderbilt and Western Kentucky.