The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA)
IHSA “encompasses 40 Regions in 8 Zones with over 400 member colleges in 45 states and Canada and represents 10,000 members in hunter seat equitation, Western horsemanship, and reining.” “The association was founded on the principle that any college student should have the opportunity to participate in equestrian competition regardless of financial status, gender or riding level.” “IHSA eliminates the expenses of horse ownership and allows more students to compete. Horses are furnished by host colleges and are chosen by drawing lots. The use of personal tack is not allowed and schooling is not permitted. The format fairly tests the horsemanship of the athletes. Divisions range from Walk/Trot to the Open Division for the more experienced riders.”
Learn more at: https://www.ihsainc.com/
See the full IHSA rulebook here https://www.ihsainc.com/docs/default-source/coach-information-forms/2018-2019-rulebook.pdf?sfvrsn=c1a4c005_2
Lessons
Riders are assigned to group lessons (usually 3-5 people) built around their schedules. Unless otherwise arranged with the coach, riders will use the coaches’ horses for lessons. Each lesson group will have a carpool, making it possible for those without cars to get to the barn. It is crucial that we respect the rules and policies of our coaches’ barns because they are donating time, energy,
and horses to this team. Boots and helmets are mandatory at all lessons, regardless of discipline. If you are riding English, you will need breeches or riding tights. If you are riding Western, you will need jeans or other suitable pants (no shorts or leggings). With travel time, tacking up, an hour long lesson, and putting the horses away/tidying up the barn, plan on your whole lesson endeavor taking about 3 hours 1-2 times weekly.
Tryouts and Cuts
The goal of tryouts is to place riders in levels based on the IHSA classes and decide who will compete on the team. Our team ranges from beginner to advanced in Western and English, so there are often openings for a variety of riders. However, because show classes have rider limits ranging from about one to three, there are limited spots in each class. We want riders to be able to show as much as possible – for individual and team points – so team/level placements are based on availability. Our team tries very hard to cut as few people as possible.
Meet the Coaches
Kim Barber – Hunt Seat Coach
Kim Barber began her riding career as a member of the United States Pony Clubs at the age of five. She achieved her “HA” certification and is still actively involved in the organization as a club-level examiner and clinician nationwide. Kim focuses on the development of a well-rounded horse and rider based on dressage principles and the Training Pyramid, as well as a natural progression of the horse’s capabilities. Kimberly is a USDF medalist who’s diverse equestrian career also includes successes in three-day eventing, polocrosse and western disciplines. She has ridden under notable trainers and judges from the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Germany. Her recent accomplishments include the completion of the WDAA Train the Trainer’s program and being asked to present at the NW WA Horse Expo and the Great Alaska Horse Expo. Her dedication to the development of versatile riders of any discipline landed her as a guest on Horse Talk Live in September 2012 with two other colleagues. Her commitment to the health and well-being of her four-legged partners led her to become a sales representative for TheraPlate Revolution – a therapeutic platform that improves the wellness of both horse and rider. By blending training techniques from various disciplines Kimberly has developed Orion Equestrian into a successful dressage and jumping program as well as serves as the English coach for the Western Washington University IHSA Equestrian Team.
Kirstin Town – Western Coach
