The Leg Up
Posts
Less Guessing, More Knowing:

Less Guessing, More Knowing:

Your February Leg Up

Randi Heathman
February 18, 2026

Every year around this time, I find myself returning to the same thought: families are asked to make enormous decisions with surprisingly little clear information.

Where to apply. Where to commit. How much to spend. Whether a riding opportunity is realistic. Whether a school is truly a fit beyond glossy photos and big promises.

These aren’t small choices - which is why I lean so heavily on data.

Numbers aren’t usually flashy or exciting, but they do tell the truth. They strip away assumptions, rumors, and the well-meaning (but often misleading) advice that floats around parent groups, barn aisles, and social media comments, so this month’s newsletter is built around that idea: information designed to help you. Period.

You’ll find articles that dig into trends, statistics, and patterns - the kind of insights admissions offices use every day to shape their strategies. And if colleges make decisions based on data, it only makes sense for you to do the same, not with the goal of predicting outcomes, but to give you a clearer picture of what’s actually happening so you can make thoughtful, confident choices that fit your priorities.

Alongside the data, there are new camp dates to consider as part of summer planning, along with some scholarship information and another video from my colleague Chris Bell, who does a fantastic job breaking down the realities of athletic recruiting thanks to help from special guest Dave Morris. While the conversation isn’t specific to equestrian sports, much of what they discuss translates - communication with coaches, managing expectations, understanding timelines, and keeping perspective in the process.

If there’s one takeaway I hope you carry with you, it’s this: better information leads to better decisions. Not perfection. Not guarantees. But smarter, more intentional choices and when it comes to college, that kind of clarity is a powerful advantage.

New Camp Dates

Learn more here.

FLORIDA RESIDENTS ONLY - Learn More

Contact [email protected].

Scholarship Info

USEF Members - apply today!

Campus News

Measles cases are sweeping several U.S. campuses as the contagious virus spreads across the country.

In Florida, five students at Ave Maria University presented with rashes and have been quarantined, according to the latest update on the university’s website. Since the start of the semester, nurses have identified the virus in 49 students, who have all progressed beyond the contagious period. The outbreak comes despite the fact that 98 percent of Ave Maria students have received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, university officials said, surpassing the 95 percent recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for herd immunity. READ MORE

For the third consecutive year, The Equestrian College Advisor has compiled key data points about the 2026 signing class for Division I of the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA). This year, data was also collected on the signing class for the Single Discipline/Division III teams. This analysis highlights the level of competition and commitment required to secure Division I roster spots, focusing on the competition schedules and habits of the 49 members of the most recent signing class.

READ THE FULL REPORT