WHAT IS THE IHSA?

The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) is a nonprofit organization committed to providing equestrians the opportunity to compete at a collegiate level, regardless of their background. The IHSA holds both team and individual co-ed competitions for hunter and Western riders at beginner through advanced levels. Through competition, the IHSA aims to encourage excellent sportsmanship, horsemanship, and scholarship.

In 1967, 18-year-old student Bob Cacchione established the IHSA alongside a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. From the first hunter seat equitation competition between two colleges, the IHSA quickly developed into a nationally recognized collegiate equestrian league. The Western division was added in 1979, and today, the IHSA recognizes over 400 college teams.

HOW DOES THE IHSA WORK?

Riders competing in the IHSA cannot bring their own horse or tack to compete with, setting a level playing field for all competitors and eliminating some of the expenses typically involved in equestrian sports. Male and female riders compete together in either the English division, which is hunter seat equitation, or the Western division, which involves horsemanship and reining. Competing colleges are a part of one of the 40 regions in one of the eight zones across the United States and Canada.

IHSA LEVELS:

The IHSA offers nine classes in the Hunter Seat division and eight classes in the Western division. The levels range from Beginner to Open and are as follows:

HUNTER SEAT CLASSES -

*REEDLEY COLLEGE DOES NOT COMPETE IN HUNTER SEAT**

Class 1: Introductory Hunter Seat Equitation

Class 2A: Pre-Novice Hunter Seat Equitation

Class 2B: Novice Hunter Seat Equitation

Class 3: Limit Hunter Seat Equitation

Class 4: Limit Hunter Seat Equitation Over Fences

Class 5: Intermediate Hunter Seat Equitation

Class 6: Intermediate Hunter Seat Equitation Over Fences

Class 7: Open Hunter Seat Equitation

Class 8: Open Hunter Seat Equitation Over Fences

WESTERN CLASSES -

REEDLEY COLLEGE TEAM COMPETITIONS

Class 11: Beginner Western Horsemanship

Class 12A: Rookie A Western Horsemanship

Class 12B: Rookie B Western Horsemanship

Class 13: Level 1 Western Horsemanship

Class 14: Level II Western Horsemanship

Class 15: Ranch Riding

Class 16: Open Western Horsemanship

Class 17: Open Reining

HOW TO EARN POINTS IN THE IHSA

Riders and teams earn points for placing in their respective classes at IHSA shows within their Region throughout school the year to advance to the next class level and/or qualify for Regional Finals. Riders can log into their IHSA accounts to check how many points they've earned, and if they happen to change schools, their points move with them.