SHOWING

We encourage everyone to give showing a try, even if you’ve never done it before! We have divisions for all experience levels, and there’s always room for you. Hunt-Seat shows run Saturday and Sunday, while Western shows are typically just on Saturday (you’ll show twice in one day).

Shows are a fun and supportive team bonding experience. You get to ride horses from other schools, learn new skills, and best of all, Oberlin covers all entry fees! If you're curious or unsure, feel free to reach out at ocet@oberlin.edu. We're happy to answer your questions :)

Format of Shows

The week before each show, we hold a mandatory team lesson. Depending on the show’s location, we leave either Friday evening or early Saturday morning. For most Hunt-Seat shows, we stay overnight on Saturday; for Western, we return Saturday evening. When we arrive, we watch the horses warm up. Because IHSA uses a catch-ride system, this will be the only insight we get on the horses we might draw. More specifically on that, before the show begins, there’s a horse draw where you’re randomly assigned a horse and can observe it in earlier classes, but there’s no warm-up ride. Once your class is called, you adjust your stirrups, mount, and go straight into the ring (unless you're in a jumping or reining class). You’ll ride in a group with about 5 to 10 other competitors.

Divisions are based on your experience and are set at the beginning of the year. IHSA is all about adapting to new horses and making the most of each ride—it’s a fun challenge and a great way to grow as a rider!

What we need from you:

1. IHSA Member Account: First, create an account on the IHSA page here so that you can fill out the following forms...

2. Individual Rider IHSA Membership Form: This form is for the IHSA membership fees. If you sign-up for a single discipline (hunt-seat OR western), the fee is $45. If you sign up for both simultaneously, it's $65. See below for examples of each. Depending on our budget for the year, we may be able to cover or subsidize these costs!

3. IHSA Rider Placement Form: When you make an account, there is an online form that you and an OCET coach will fill out together. This details your riding ability so your competing with those at the same skill level as you! See below for an example (albeit a little dated).

**For more specifics on IHSA memberships, see the IHSA rulebook below as well!