A Qualitative Exploration of Emotional Intelligence and Leadership in Collegiate Equestrian Competitors

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the impact of competing in collegiate equestrian sports on emotional intelligence and leadership development. It examined the lived experience of former collegiate equestrian competitors. The researcher explored their experience with emotional intelligence and leadership as part of their riding career and then how it impacted them outside of the equestrian competitive arena. This qualitative study used the phenomenological design. The researcher interviewed 10 individuals who met the criterion. Participants were selected using purposeful sampling. Data collection followed the steps outlined by Creswell and Guetterman (2019). To ensure credibility, the guidelines established by Shenton (2004) were followed. The researcher used bracketing to minimize bias. The researcher studied the interview transcripts and developed 32 codes from them. Significant statements were identified and clustered into three major themes. The themes included the impact of working with horses and emotional intelligence, the impact of the team experience on leadership development, and the transfer of emotional intelligence lessons from working with horses to working with humans. Additional findings indicated that members were very positive about their team experience and would encourage others to participate. The findings of this study substantiate the research regarding the development of emotional intelligence as a result of working with horses. Horses reflect human emotion and mirror their rider’s emotions, which requires the rider to have personal and social competence in emotional intelligence. Furthermore, participation in intercollegiate equestrian sports impacted leadership development. Finally, the emotional intelligence developed through interaction with horses transferred to post-academic pursuits. Further research into the development of emotional intelligence in collegiate equestrian competitors could involve a larger sample size, random sampling, or other qualitative methods. Quantitative studies that measure the emotional intelligence of IHSA members versus non-equestrians could also be undertaken to obtain results that can be more generalized to a wider population. Additional research could also encompass gender roles or former competitors who have been out of college for a longer period of time to understand the long-term impact of their equestrian sport experience on their leadership practices