BUCS
Saints Equestrian has proudly competed in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competitions for many years, providing talented riders with the opportunity to represent the University of St Andrews at a national level.
If you are an experienced rider with a background in competition and are interested in competing in both dressage and showjumping, our BUCS Teams could be the perfect fit. Team members train regularly throughout the academic year and compete against universities from across the UK.
To compete as part of a BUCS Team, you will need to purchase a Competitive Membership. However, riders attending team try-outs are advised to purchase a Recreational/Standard Membership initially and only upgrade to a Competitive Membership if they are successfully selected for a team.
Representing St Andrews is a fantastic way to develop your riding, compete at a high level, and be part of a supportive and ambitious team environment.
BUCS Equestrian Programme
The BUCS Equestrian programme is one of the largest university equestrian competitions in the UK, with more than 160 teams competing throughout the academic year in a combination of league fixtures and championship events.
BUCS competitions are designed to test riders across two disciplines: dressage and showjumping. Each rider’s scores from both phases are combined to produce their overall result, with individual performances contributing to the team’s final standing.
A unique aspect of university equestrian competition is that riders compete on borrowed horses rather than their own. Horses are provided by the host venue, and riders are randomly allocated their horse on the day of competition. This format rewards adaptability, horsemanship, and riding skill, as competitors must quickly build a partnership with an unfamiliar horse.
At each competition, riders are given a short warm-up before completing a dressage test, which includes movements in walk, trot, and canter. They then go on to compete in a showjumping round, typically over a course of fences set at approximately 80cm.
BUCS Teams
Saints Equestrian currently fields three BUCS teams:
- A Team – 4 riders
- B Team – 4 riders
- C Team – 4 riders
All teams compete throughout the academic year, with each team participating in three league competitions. Typically, two fixtures are hosted by other universities, while one is a home competition hosted by Saints Equestrian at Drumcarrow Equestrian.
At each competition, 4 riders are selected to represent their team. Depending on individual and team performances during the league season, riders may also qualify for BUCS Regionals and Nationals, providing opportunities to compete against the best university riders in the country.
Competing for a BUCS team is an excellent way to challenge yourself, represent the University of St Andrews, and be part of a close-knit and supportive competitive squad.
BUCS Team Training
Our BUCS teams are coached by Angus Lohoar and Stephen Lohoar at Drumcarrow Equestrian. Both are highly experienced competitive showjumpers who have trained and competed across Europe, and they have successfully coached Saints Equestrian teams in both dressage and showjumping for many years.
Team training takes place every Wednesday afternoon at Drumcarrow Equestrian and focuses on developing the skills required for university competition. Training covers both dressage and showjumping, helping riders improve their technique, confidence, and adaptability.
Team members are expected to ride at least once per week, although additional riding and training sessions are strongly encouraged for those looking to maximise their progress and competitive performance.
BUCS Try-outs
BUCS Team try-outs are typically held towards the end of September and are open to advanced riders with previous competition experience.
The selection process usually consists of a brief warm-up session followed by a short jumping assessment, allowing riders to demonstrate their ability, confidence, and adaptability. Team selection is made by the BUCS Captain, in consultation with coaches Stephen and Angus Lohoar, to ensure the strongest possible teams are chosen for the upcoming season.
If you are interested in representing the University of St Andrews through equestrian sport and would like to learn more about the try-out process, please feel free to get in touch with the club.
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