FAQ

Are there any requirements for team membership?

            Any full-time undergraduate student who is in good academic standing is welcome to tryout for the competitive team. Tryouts will be held at the beginning of each academic year, or as openings become available due to graduation, transfer, etc.  Due to safety and liability issues, all students who tryout for the team must have previous riding experience. Dues are required to be paid at the beginning of each semester and attendance at team functions is required. The team constitution provides more detailed information regarding membership requirements.   

Are there any costs involved?

            Membership dues are $30.00 per semester. All members are required to take weekly riding lessons from the team coach and are required to pay a percentage of their weekly lesson fees. Safety equipment and appropriate riding apparel must be worn at all times while on horseback. Equipment and riding apparel that is not provided by the team shall be the responsibility of the student. Although members are required to provide their riding apparel for lessons, team members may be able to borrow show apparel from other members. 

Do I have to know how to ride?

            Yes, competitive tryouts will be held at the beginning of each academic year, or as openings become available due to graduation, transfer, etc. A non-refundable evaluation fee will be charged to all students who try out for the team. Due to safety and liability issues, all students who tryout for the team must have previous riding experience. Most of our members have been involved in 4-H or Pony Club and desire to continue riding and equine activities while attending college. 

Do I have to compete as a member of the team?

            Yes, the primary purpose of the club is to field the Edinboro University Equestrian Team and to compete in Zone III, Region III, IHSA competitions. Team members are required to compete in all scheduled IHSA shows. IHSA limits the number of members on the competitive team to twelve riders, with three designated alternate riders.

Do members have own their our own horses?

            No, lesson horses are provided by Breneric Stables. Members who own their own horse may contact the team coach to obtain information regarding boarding their horse at Breneric. The host school provides the horses for IHSA competitions. Riders are assigned a horse to ride in his/her class by a random horse draw at the beginning of the show.  A rider in two classes may have the same horse for both classes, although this is seldom the case.  No rider competing the day of the show can ride the horses prior to competing in her/his class.  There is no warm up time before entering the show ring. 

How is the team financed?

            The team is financed through the support of the Edinboro University Student Government Association and through the fundraising efforts by team members. Members are required to participate in all fundraising efforts to benefit the team. Without this assistance the team would not be able to operate unless additional costs are incurred by individual team members. Fundraising will enable the team to schedule clinics, organize field trips to the Rolex, Congress or other equine affairs, schedule trail rides and other fun activities in which  members can participate. 

What is IHSA?

            IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) is an organization designed to give college students the abilities to enhance their riding skills while attending a college or university.  The national organization is divided into zones and further into regions to allow schools to compete without large numbers of riders and long travel distances.  Each region has a president college and about 12-15 other colleges and universities who compete in the horse shows. The IHSA offers both hunt seat and western divisions, although both are not offered in every region.  The schools in each region compete for up to a total of 10 shows per season.  Show seasons will vary depending upon the region, but all shows end by April before regional, zone and national competitions.  Each school is permitted 15 rides per show and a total of 12 riders.  Points are accumulated both individually and as a team depending on the placement of the riders.  The team or individual can move up to the regional, zone, and national competitions depending on the number of points accumulated.  IHSA offers students to compete in a team setting in a traditionally individual sport.  To learn more about IHSA visit the website at www.ihsainc.com. 

How do IHSA shows differ from other horse shows?

            In IHSA shows, riders compete both as an individual and as a team, unlike most public horse shows where the individual competes for their own placement.  The host colleges also supply all the horses and tack to be used during the show.  Each rider is given a horse through a random horse draw at the beginning of the show.  The horses are already tacked and warmed-up; riders only mount and adjust their stirrups before entering the show ring.  You do not have any time to warm up with the horse, which, in most cases, will be unfamiliar to you. The IHSA shows bring a different atmosphere to the show scene. You are able to cheer on team members and help give them advice to succeed, and you are challenged in your riding ability by having to assess your horse in the short time you are in the ring and ride to the best of your ability. 

What level rider do I have to be in order to compete?

            IHSA is unique as a team sport because it allows for any level rider to compete.  In the hunt seat division, there are several levels of classes, ranging from walk-trot to open riders. The IHSA also have an alumni level for those graduate students who previously competed and would like to continue riding while continuing their education.  The classes for the IHSA hunter equitation shows are as follows:

            Class 1             Walk-trot
            Class 2A           Beginner Walk-Trot-Canter
            Class 2B           Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter
            Class 3             Novice Flat
            Class 4             Novice Over Fences
            Class 5             Intermediate Flat
            Class 6             Intermediate Over Fences
            Class 7             Open Flat
            Class 8             Open Over Fences 

Colleges and Universities in IHSA Zone 3, Region 3 ?

            Allegheny College, California University of PA, Dickinson College, Duquense University, Indiana University of PA, Juniata College, Penn State University, Seton Hill College, Slippery Rock University, Penn State/Fayette Campus, University of Pittsburgh, Washington and Jefferson College, West Virginia University, Westminster College and Wilson College. 

Where do we practice?

            Breneric Stables located four miles from the Edinboro University campus is the home of the Edinboro Equestrian Team. Breneric is a boarding and training facility with a 70 x 140 indoor arena and an 80 x 180 outdoor arena.