Western Carolina University senior Madison Kitchen took on the role of equestrian club president for the 2020-2021 school year. She knew it would come with challenges, but a pandemic was not one she thought she would face.
The equestrian club voted for leadership positions in early 2020, just when the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading into the United States. Kitchen was excited to take on the leadership role for her senior year.
Madison Kitchen competes in Limit Over-Fences at UNC Greensboro in February 2020. Photo by Emma Hodes
“This club is so important to me and I knew I wanted to make it even better my senior year. I was so excited to be elected,” Kitchen said.
Kitchen didn’t begin her college career at WCU. She finished her freshman year at UNC-Wilmington and transferred to WCU. And as she said that was the best decision she made.
“Western immediately felt like home and I’m so glad I found it and have spent the past few years here,” Kitchen said.
Kitchen joined the WCU equestrian club immediately when she transferred but was originally sidelined from riding because of an injury. As soon as she could, she began riding and competing in Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) horse shows for WCU.
Kitchen competes in the open-flat division, the highest non-jumping division in IHSA and the limit-fences division. Her placings have improved greatly over her semesters at WCU. In the 2019-2020 season she earned tenth place in the open division in the region. Kitchen gives credit to her successes to coach Julia Collins.
“Julia Collins has made my past few years at Western so amazing and I have learned so much from her. I am so grateful to have her as my coach,” Kitchen said.
Madison Kitchens helps during a clinic at Over the River Farm in October 2020. Photo by Emma Hodes.
Collins feels the same about Kitchen. She loves talking about the memories she has made with her in the club.
“Madison is one of the most-hardworking girls I’ve met. She’s done such a great job with the club and I know she will continue to do so. She is the light of the club and always makes me and the other club members laugh,” Collins said.
Collins said when she met Kitchen, she knew she was going to be a special part of the club for years to come.
“I met her, and she just immediately fit in with everyone and I just knew she was going to make the club go the next level. She cares so much and she’s just a very special girl,” Collins said.
While Kitchen loves the competition aspect of the club, the things she loves the most as the memories made with club members and the fun they have had over the years.
“I love competing and getting awards, but the club is so much more than that. We really are a family and I love getting to laugh and joke with them at meetings and horse shows. I know these are the things I’ll always remember,”
Kitchen’s time as club president has shown many challenges due to COVID-19. Like many college sports and clubs, the Western Carolina Equestrian club had suspended all competitions and practices this semester because of the pandemic.
Kitchen has worked diligently with Collins to create a way for riders to still have time to interact and ride horses even though the club isn’t operating this semester. Collins is giving independent riding lessons and held “faux horse shows” for riders to compete at. These opportunities have changed the way Kitchen looked at her senior year.
“I was worried that my senior year wouldn’t be as memorable without getting to compete in shows, but we have worked so hard and made the best of what we have been given. I still feel so lucky to be president and I’ll remember this year for the rest of my life,” Kitchen said.
