For Goucher Equestrian Rider Makaylin Shoop "The Hay Is Not In The Barn," But Just Getting Started

Makaylin Shoop has loved horses as long as she can remember. "Black Beauty" was her favorite movie. She would attend horse expos with her grandmother for years. She had quite a collection of toy horses as a kid where her father would help her build barns and arenas for her toys.

Most children go through phases growing up, but Shoop, a sophomore on the Goucher College equestrian team, was persistent and she convinced her parents to let her do her first riding lesson.

"Neither of my parents had experience with horses, but I eventually convinced them to take me to my first riding lesson when I was just seven years old," said Shoop. "Eventually, my sister started riding and my entire family finally shared my love for horses."

It was that love of horses that in part brought Shoop to Goucher because of the top-notch regional program and constant push for national attention. Like most student-athletes, she also enjoyed the overall experience Goucher offers. 

"I chose Goucher because I instantly fell in love with the environment they have created," she said. "Being at a smaller school has allowed me to become closer with my teachers, coaches, and peers, which was very important to me. I feel that Goucher is a place free of judgment and that made me feel at home right away."

In her freshman year, she competed in the limit flat and limit fences. Equestrian is broken down into five classifications, and riders in each class can participate in two sub-sections; the "flat" – which is a pattern that does not include jumping – and a fences section. She competed in the third most-experienced class with only the open and intermediate classes ranking higher.

"Horseback riding is very different from any other sport, all in all, your partner weighs 1,200 pounds and can't speak," said Shoop. "Forming a bond with a horse is usually not easy. Successfully building this type of bond is very rewarding because horses have so much to teach us."

Another unique part of equestrian is that at away competitions, teams do not take their own horses, but use the horses provided by the host institution. It may sound simple to get up and ride a horse, but there are skills and techniques just like in any other athletic sport.

"The key to being successful in college riding is being adaptable to your mount," said Shoop. "Each time you compete at a show, you ride a completely random horse. You must be able to identify your horse's habits and quirks in the show ring because there is no warm up in both the flat and over fences. I enjoy showing over fences over the flat because I feel more confident."

As a member of the equestrian team, Shoop is a student-athlete and believes that the Goucher equestrian team has a great support system.

"Managing school work and riding is difficult at times," said Shoop. "I do homework with a few of my teammates every night. We are always busy during the day, so I always have some company which definitely makes homework a little easier. My coaches are always helpful when I have any type of conflict and I have an amazing support system."

Due to the pandemic, Goucher has been virtual or online since March. Shoop's love for horses that she developed as a kid has not been lost with most of her time being spent at home in Davidsonville, a town not far from Maryland's state capital Annapolis.

Her love of horses as a kid turned it into a family affair. The family moved when she was a freshman in high school, and her father built a barn to house horses. This was a dream come true for Shoop.

The barn is home to Krush, Nicki and Joey. She loves all three of her three horses at home. However, if she had to pick a favorite horse at Goucher to ride it would be Jack Sparrow.

"During the pandemic, my horses were there when school, the equestrian team, and horse shows were shut down," she said. "I am incredibly lucky to have my own horses at home, and that allows me to see and ride them, which is so incredibly important to me. They kept me pretty busy when there was nothing else to do."

While living on a farm has its perks, it also comes with a great deal of laborious responsibilities.

"Living on a farm is a lot of work, but definitely worth it. I put my horses out every morning and have to clean stalls before bringing them back in for the night," said Shoop. "It has required me to become responsible with my time, but there is nothing like looking out your bedroom window and seeing your own horses."

Horses have always been a way for Shoop to grow as a person and become a proud member of the Goucher College equestrian team.

"Goucher is a great place for me to study, offering both a major involving horses and the equestrian team," said Shoop. "Being on the team and at Goucher allows me to stay involved with horses while at school, which is important because horses are going to be such a large part of my future."

Shoop is a business major with a minor in equine studies. After graduation, she hopes to attend veterinary school and eventually open her own equine practice.

"I was always a shy kid, but horses brought out my confidence," said Shoop. "I started making lots of friends when I began riding, ones who shared the same passion as me. I am so grateful for all the amazing people I have met along my riding journey. I found the place where I felt confident and most like myself to be with horses and people who shared that same passion."

Goucher is a place that helps people enjoy their passion together. Shoop found her joy and made it a family affair. She has now extended her family to include Goucher College and the equestrian program and eventually turn that into a career.

Editors Note: The headline is a takeoff from Baltimore Ravens radio broadcaster Gerry Sandusky, who states "The Hay Is In The Barn" when the Ravens have sealed a victory.