1987-Present In 1987, Kathy Pelletier, along with several students organized what would become the University of Connecticut Morgan Drill Team. The original Drill Team was unique from other riding teams at the University as it combined two different riding disciplines into one team. The team was comprised of eight riders, four who rode stock seats and four who rode hunt seats. The team performed choreographed routines to music. During this early time, the team used horses of various breeds that were in the school's string.
A few years later, the Drill Team decided to add to its uniqueness by introducing all Morgan horses to the team. With the introduction of a single breed of horses, the UConn 'Morgan' Drill Team was born. These Morgans were primarily bred and trained at the university, so the team decided to use this opportunity not only to add uniqueness to the team but also to promote the Morgan breed. The Morgans proved to be a beneficial breed as their intelligence and versatility contributed to a larger variety of options in the development of routines and patterns. The Morgans also added an overall visual uniformity to the team. To this day, the UConn Morgan Drill Team is the only team we know of that exclusively uses these magnificent horses.
But just like any good thing, the UConn Morgan Drill Team experiences minor setbacks due to the breeding and lesson programs (hunt seat, dressage, and stock seat). As the UConn College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) breeding program are a Morgan Breeding Farm, the Drill team, unfortunately, loses the use of many of the more experienced Morgan Mares when they become mothers each spring. This temporarily limits the number of Morgans that are available for the team's use. But, this is a setback the Drill Team is more than willing to accept, as they know that the newborn foals will eventually come up through the training program, and become the newest members of the UConn Morgan Drill Team.
The riders on the Team are comprised of students from various academic backgrounds, from business to pathobiology. Their mutual love of horses and desire to work as a team with other students bring them all together as one. During practice, the team develops a 20 to a 25-minute routine that will be performed to music. The various patterns include flat to jumping to stock seat and hunt seat. As it is essential for both the riders and horses to perform in sync, the team believes that practice makes perfect. The members of the UConn Morgan Drill Team work very hard to perfect the patterns as well as their performance and riding abilities while managing to have fun in the process.
Just like the UConn Horsebarn, the Drill Team is self-supporting. The participation fee team members pay each semester is hardly enough to feed each of the team's 12 horses. Therefore, the UConn Morgan Drill Team must seek out alternative sources to purchase equipment and supplies. Each semester, as a registered University Club, the Drill Team prepares a written request for funding through the University Student Government (USG). The UConn Morgan Drill Team gratefully accepts any funding USG might grant the team, with the understanding that the money will be used to promote the school. The UConn Morgan Drill Team takes great pride in promoting The University of Connecticut and the CHANR.
On occasion, the team will sponsor an event or take part in an activity as a fundraising tool. In fall 2003, the team sponsored the first "Fun" Horse Show which was open to students in the riding program and the public. As "Fun" was the title of the show, it really came shining through in the competition. Although the beginner to advanced level entrants were serious riders, it gave everyone a chance to relax and enjoy the competition. The show closed with several rodeo "game" classes which became the highlight of the whole fundraising event. This "Fun" Show was a very successful fundraiser and has become an annual event.
In the fall of 2001, the University of Connecticut Equestrian Program proudly opened the doors of its new indoor arena. The Horsebarn Hill Arena is now the home of the University's riding program, including the UConn Morgan Drill Team. With the added room and shelter from the elements that the spacious new arena affords, the Drill Team can develop even more entertaining routines with room to expand.
Over the many years, Kathy Pelletier has continued to devote her time and energy two-fold; as Coach of the Drill Team and as Advisor of the Animal Science Drill Team club. Without her dedicated support, the team would not enjoy the success it has achieved today.
So if you haven't yet seen the Drill Team in action, give yourself and your family a treat and come out and cheer on the riders and horses that are proud to be part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources UCONN MORGAN DRILL TEAM!
Coming into the 20th Century in Style with our Morgans So if you haven't yet seen the Drill Team in action, give yourself and your family a treat and come out and cheer on the riders and horses that are proud to be part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources UCONN MORGAN DRILL TEAM!
Drill team in the opening ceremonies of UConn's annual Little International Livestock and Horse Show in the Ratcliff Hicks Arena. (1987)
The ground-breaking ceremony for the Lorentzon Stables. Coach's dad looks out on the outdoor riding arena with great approval. Dr. Cameron Faustman also looks on with amazement at the team's precision. (1990)
Huntseat Team performing at the Little International Livestock and Horse Show (1988)
Huntseat Team performs at the Little International Livestock and Horse Show in the Ratcliff Hicks Arena (1989)
Practice night with coach's kids lending a hand in the Horsebarn Hill Arena (1995)
The team's friends are many both on and off campus. "Jonathon" the Husky dog rides with Horse Unit I. He has a special place in his heart for other athletics on campus also! Whenever possible he rides along with the team... (2004)
"Jewel Wows Jorgensen" but not before taking a 2 hour trail ride with Kathy, assistant manager at the UConn horse barn. Kathy chose a UConn morgan for Jewel's mount, Salem Sentana, and Jewel hit it off tremendously. Kathy's mount was also a UConn morgan, UC Sonata. The two enjoyed sight seeing behind the campus.
1998