About IHSA

IHSA - The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association was established in 1967 and launched with just two colleges competing in hunter seat equitation, the IHSA was praised for its innovative competition format and quickly caught on.

IHSA now 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. To support the size of the organization, IHSA now requires major venues like Harrisburg, the Kentucky Horse Park and Los Angeles Equestrian Center for its National Championships.

About IHSA Competition

IHSA welcomes beginners through advanced riders in the hunter and Western disciplines to compete individually or on a team. Men and women compete with and against each other.

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.

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 (Nationals) through a point system. During the year, contestants accumulate points at their IHSA local shows to qualify for the Regional Finals in their respective divisions. The top two 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.

Each region’s high-point team competes head to head with the other high point teams in its Zone for the right to represent the Zone for National champion team honors of winning the Collegiate Cup in the Hunter Seat division and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Trophy in the Western division.

IHSA Mission

The IHSA promotes competition for riders of all skill levels, who compete individually and as teams at regional, zone and national levels.

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. The IHSA emphasizes learning and sportsmanship and fosters teamwork. IHSA welcomes riders in their first years of riding and students with show experience. IHSA eliminates the expense of owning and transporting horses and puts competition within financial reach of college and university students.