The team competes through the nation-wide organization, the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (or IHSA). In the two seasons since its beginning, the team has taken Reserve Regional Champion narrowly behind the nationally ranked St. Tryouts are held at the beginning of the Fall semester and again in the Spring. The season stretches throughout the academic calender with the postseason beginning
in March. During the regular season we will compete in anywhere from seven to ten shows. Practices are held weekly with our coach, Robin Lynn. We welcome and encourage anyone interested to contact one of the officers for more information or come to one of our meetings. There are levels of competition for every rider from the greenest beginner to those who have been riding all their life. Organizations and individuals interested in sponsoring or donating to the team, please email us at [email protected]. More about the IHSA and the competitions:
The IHSA promotes competition for riders of all skill levels, who compete individually and as teams at regional, zone, and national levels. The association was founded on the principle that any college student should be able to participate in horse shows regardless of his or her financial status or riding level. Emphasis is on learning, sportsmanship, and fun. Competition plays a role but the students’ enthusiasm and team spirit are the major factors. The objective of IHSA competition is to offer the opportunity to riders in their first years of riding as well as to students with show experience. Eliminating the expense of shipping or even owning horses puts IHSA competitions within reach of many who would otherwise miss the equestrian experience. Today, from its beginning with just two intercollegiate competing colleges, the IHSA is an organization that encompasses 29 Regions in 9 Zones with more than 300 member colleges in 45 states and Canada – representing more than 6500 riders in both Hunter Seat Equitation, Western Horsemanship, and Reining. In 1999 the original organization was dissolved and IHSA Inc was incorporated as a non-profit organization. Highly praised for its structure of competition, the IHSA allows riders with various degrees of experience in the hunter and western rider disciplines to compete individually or on a team. Competition plays a role, but student enthusiasm and team spirit are the major objectives. Emphasis is on learning, sportsmanship and fun. The Association was founded on the principle that any college student should be able to participate in horse shows, regardless of their financial status or riding level. The IHSA attempts to eliminate the expenses of students owning horses and allows more students to compete. Students ride horses that are furnished by the host college and chosen by drawing lots. The use of personal tack is not allowed and schooling is not permitted. The theory behind this structure is to equalize variables of the competition and test the horsemanship of the contestants. Classes range from walk/trot for first year students to the Open Division for the more experienced riders. Full-time undergraduate students of member colleges or alumni who competed in the IHSA as undergraduates are eligible to compete. Riders qualify for the National Championship Horse Show (Nationals) through a point system. During the year, contestants accumulate points at local shows to qualify for the Regional Finals in their respective divisions. The top three riders in each class of the Regional Finals move forward to the Zone Finals. The top two competitors in each class at Zones qualify for Nationals. Each region’s high point team competes head to head with the other high point teams in its Zone for the right to represent the Zone for National Champion Team honors: winning the “Collegiate Cup” for the Hunter Seat division and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Trophy in the Western division. The regional high point riders are eligible for the National Individual Championship. The USEF/Cacchione Cup is awarded to the National Individual Hunter Seat High Point Rider. The AQHA Western Rider winner receives a Textan saddle and a scholarship. The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) awards a Morrison Bronze trophy to the winner of the Individual Open Reining Horsemanship class winner.
