2. Where is the barn?
UCSC does not have a campus barn. Our coach is Cassie Belmont, of Belmont Training Stable in Watsonville. Cassie has a number of lesson horses available for private and group lessons. Riders are of course, welcome to bring horses with them to UCSC. Belmont Training offers a regular hunter/jumper/equitation training program.

3. What is the IHSA?

The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) is an organization that brings together colleges from across the country to compete in equine sports of all skill levels. Riders from college teams compete at regional, zone and national levels. The IHSA is comprised of over 300 member colleges and 29 Regions and 9 Zones. The IHSA allows western and hunter seat riders to compete both individually and as a college team. Our team competes in Zone 8, Region 1.

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.

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 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.

For more information on the IHSA, visit IHSAinc.com

For more information on IHSA rules, go to http://www.ihsainc.com/uploads/Webpages/5/docs/5_0009.doc

4. What are the divisions that you show in?
The classes that are offered at IHSA shows are: Walk Trot, Beginning Walk Trot Canter, Advanced Walk Trot Canter, Novice Flat and Novice Over Fences (2'3), Intermediate Flat and Intermediate Over Fences (2'6), and Open Flat and Open Fences (2'9). Riders are placed in a class through evaluation. Riders are not allowed to compete on their own horses and horses are selected at random at each individual show.

5. What are the fees involved in showing?

A rider must have an official IHSA membership to compete in hunter seat. To compete in hunter seat the membership fee is $30 with a new $15 USHJA Membership fee added for 2010-2011. At shows, the fee per class is $30. Each riders competes in up to two classes (flat and/or over fences). The hosting school may charge an additional $5 "office fee" per show to help with the cost of hosting it. In addition, riders pay a $35 coaching fee to Cassie for show day coaching.

6. How much do lessons cost?

Each barn has a different pricing structure for lessons. Riders are responsible for paying for the full cost of their lessons.

7. Do I need to own a horse?

You do not need to own a horse to compete in the IHSA , take lessons or participate in the Equestrian Team. When you attend lessons you ride a horse at the barn, so you do not need to own your own horse. You cannot show your own horse at an IHSA show.

8. Do I need to have experience?

You do not need to have experience to participate in the team. However, if you do not have any experience and you intend to show, you need to be evaluated with an evaluation ride before your first show so that you can be safe at your first show. The team organizes an evaluation day in the fall. You do not need to have any riding experience to take lessons with Cassie.

9. What are the team rules?
1. Riders wishing to compete must attend mandatory meetings and team group lessons. If a rider can not attend a meeting or a team lesson, they must contact team captains at least one week BEFORE the meeting or lesson or they will not be allowed to participate in the next horse show. If a rider misses more than two meetings or lessons a quarter they are ineligible to show for the remainder of that quarter.

2. Absolutely NO consumption of alcohol or illegal substances 24hrs prior to the show date. Consumption of illegal substances or alcohol before a show WILL result in removal from the team and disqualification from competition.

3. Team participants will be required to help at a minimum of one show per year. UCSCET hosts or co-hosts at least one horse show a year and all members will be required to assist in our hosting duties.

Show FAQ

1. What do I need to know and do in order to show?

Members intending to show must register with IHSA, attend Team meetings and lessons, and take riding lessons at least once per week.

2. What is appropriate attire for a show?

Appropriate show attire would be light-colored breeches (tan, not white), black field boots, a show helmet, black gloves, a button-down show shirt with a collar, a hunt coat, and your number. Male riders can wear a button-down shirt and a tie with the same outfit. If you don't have everything, don't worry. We have some extra equipment and many of us share jackets, gloves, etc. at shows.

3. What happens at the shows/ How do the shows work?

You will arrive at the show early with the rest of the team and register with the host college. Because you do not ride your own horse, a horse you do not know and cannot ride before your class will be assigned to you. You cannot use your own tack, but you may use a bat or crop if the horse's description allows. You and/or the team captain then watch the horse draw and find your horse and its description, and your order of go if you are jumping. When your class comes up, you must be dressed and ready to ride. A few minutes before the class starts, the show stewards will allow you to mount, with the help of a mounting block or a "leg-up". DO NOT adjust your horse's tack if it is loose or needs to be fixed - The coach must get a steward's approval first. Once you enter the ring be ready to show. After your class, you must bring your horse out and return him or her to a member of the host college.

4. What is the point system at the shows? How do teams and/or individual riders win High Point and Reserve High Point Rider awards?

At the regular season shows, the point system is as follows: 1st place: 7 points, 2nd place: 5 points, 3rd place: 4 points, 4th Place: 3 points, 5th place: 2 points, 6th place: 1 point. The team will choose point riders before the show. The team can have only one point rider per class. The point rider is a rider whose points won will count toward the team total which makes the team eligible for the High Point and Reserve High Point Team awards at the end of each show. To either of these awards, a team must have the highest or second highest team total at the end of the show. There is also a High Point and Reserve High Point Rider award, which is separate from the team award. Riders can only show in a maximum of two classes (flat and jumping), and this award is given to the rider with the highest amount of points at the end of the show. In the event of a tie, the rider with more points over fences will be the High Point Rider.

5. Do I need to have experience to show?

Members who are showing must take at least one lesson per week. Riders who are jumping in shows must have at least 6 months of prior jumping lessons. Evaluation rides and an IHSA survey help to place riders in an appropriate class.