Kate Krueger Enjoying Final Rides At Seton Hill

Kate Krueger is a senior at Seton Hill University and a member of the Griffins equestrian program. Her journey began as a young girl at six as she began riding horses with Betsy Kupic. From there, she joined the Cranberry Equestrian Team in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association through her middle school and high school days.

(Photos by Seton Hill Athletics submitted by Kate)

When it came time to pick a college, she chose Seton Hill because it was a place that felt like home thanks to Seton Hill’s Head Equestrian Coach Rebecca Bloom. “When I came on my visit to tryout for the equestrian team, Coach Bloom was kind, strong, and gave the best advice. She also had coached the women’s equestrian team to three consecutive regional championships.” Presently, she is in her fourth year with the program and competes in Open Equitation Over Fences and Open Equitation on the Flat. Open Fences requires that riders jump six or more jumps at a height of 2’9”. Open Flat requires that riders be judged at the walk, trot, and canter in both directions. This season, Krueger has already qualified for regionals individually in Intermediate Flat and Intermediate Fences. As for the team, they are currently winning the region and hope to be crowned regional champions once again this year.

College equestrian is a tight-knit community as the Griffins of Seton Hill are one of few schools in all of Division II to feature a varsity equestrian team. Usually, the program competes in Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The Griffins are also members of the IHSA, which stands for the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association. Looking back at her own favorite memories from the sport, she lists her performance from the home show this season when she won high point rider of the day and won both of her classes of the competition. Her performance from the show helped her to earn Griffin of the Week Honors earlier this semester.

While being a three-time captain, she’s kept up with her studies as a Clinical Exercise Science major and is awaiting to see where she will head to physical therapy school. She is currently accepted at Seton Hill while waiting to hear from Chatham University and Northeastern University. Something the Plymouth, Massachusetts native would like people to know about the sport of equestrian is “The sport requires so much out of its athletes both mentally and physically. Athletes must have respect and trust for the horses they partner with and the strength to help their horse through the movements, whether that be jumping or cantering around the ring. Each movement requires strength from both the horse and the rider.” Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about equestrian and to share your journey so far, Kate! Best of luck as you continue your career and prepare to become a Doctorate of Physical Therapy 🐎👩‍⚕️