Showing

 
 
 The IHSA
 
 
The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) was established in 1967 with the purpose in mind that a student of any riding level or financial ability should be able to participate in horse shows. It divides the country into zones which are divided up into regions.

The horse shows are designed so that the host school provides all the horses for the horse show. Upon arrival, participants are assigned at random a horse from the host school for each class. The riders take the horse into the class with no warm up time, but must learn their horse while in the ring. The divisions include Walk-Trot, Beginner Walk-Trot-Canter, Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter, Novice, Intermediate, and Open. The Novice, Intermediate, and Open divisions are two class divisions with one under saddle class and one over fences class. Riders must accumulate a total of 35 points to point out of their class’ division and move on to the next level. Doing so would qualify them to compete in Regionals with the possibility of moving on to Zones and then Nationals. Open riders are the exception, having no division to point out into, they must accumulate a total of 28pts to proceed to Regionals and their points reset to 0 at the completion of each school year.

 

Levels for Hunt Seat Competitions in the IHSA

  • Beginner Walk/Trot – 1 flat class
  • Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter – 1 flat class
  • Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter – 1 flat class
  • Novice Equitation – 1 flat class, 1 over fences class (2’3”-2’9” )
  • Intermediate Equitation – 1 flat class, 1 over fences class (2’6”-3’)
  • Open Equitation – 1 flat class, 1 over fences class (3’-3’3”)
  • Alumni Equitation – 1 flat class, 1 over fences class (2’3”-2’9” )

 

Ribbons

  Placing Points Earned
1st
7pts
2nd 5pts
3rd 4pts
4th 3pts
5th 2pts
6th 1pt

 

Pointing Out, Regionals & Nationals

 
INDIVIDUAL - BEG/ADV/NOV/INTER

If you accumulate 35 pts by the end of the last spring horse show, you point out of your division, and qualify to compete in the Regional Horse Show as an individual. Depending upon the results of that show, you may continue onto Zone Horse Show, and then the Nationals.
* If you do not point out of your division by the end of the year, your points carry on into the next season.
 
INDIVIDUAL – OPEN/ALUMNI
If you accumulate 28 pts by the end of the last horse show in the spring, to compete in the Regional Horse Show as an individual. Depending upon the results of that show, you may continue onto Zone Horse Show, and then the Nationals.
* Your point total will start at 0 every fall season.
 
TEAM
If the team places first by the end of the last spring horse show, the team qualifies to compete at Zones. The top two teams in each Zone move on to Nationals. One or two members are selected from each division to represent their team in the competition.
 
 
Shows 
 
The AU Equestrian Team is a member of the IHSA competing Zone 4 Region 1. Other schools competing in this region include Catholic University, Christopher Newport College, College of William and Mary, George Mason University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Goucher College, Hood College, John Hopkins University, Mary Washington College, Mount Saint Mary’s College, Saint Mary’s College, Sweet Briar College, University of Maryland, University of Richmond, and the US Naval Academy.

If riders would like to compete with the team, they first have to fill out a placement form. This form is used to place the student in the proper class of riding level. In addition the rider will have to pay a $30 dollar fee to be an individual member of the IHSA.

The American University Team generally goes to about 5 to 6 shows per semester. They range from a 30min to 3 hour drive away. Students have to supply their own showing clothes. This includes field or tall boots (you may NOT use leather half-chaps as an alternative), tan breeches, an approved safety helmet (NO plastic helmets with covers), a navy or dark green jacket, black riding gloves, and a shirt with a choker.

 

Showing Members

  • If you are scheduled to show on a particular day, you are obligated to be at the show at least one hour prior to the start time if you are not traveling with the team.
  • Shows typically start at 10am.
  • If you must cancel, you have to cancel with the President at least 48 hours in advance.
  • Food is typically sold at each horse show.
  • The length of time we spend at a show depends on how many divisions we have filled and/or if we are sharing transportation with another school, but blocking out the whole day for the horse show would be appropriate.

 

Non-Showing Members

If you are a non-showing team member, provided transportation allows it, we would love for you to join us at the horse shows. Not only will you learn a great deal and gain more confidence about showing, but it will also serve the team a great service by supporting the competing members. It makes the showing experience all the more rewarding for both sides!