For y'all that weren't collegiate, that's the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association*.

I got to reminiscing about my old show history.  (Because I miss showing.  I also miss riding a horse who isn't cranky, jumping fences that aren't just poles, cantering a line, and kicking ass in a flat class.)

I went to a small, local college.  When I saw that they had an equestrian team, I went to the informative meeting to see how to get involved.  I shortly found out that it was about $200/month out of my non-existent budget.  So, I forgot about it.

Come January, my second semester at college, and the people leading the team reach back out to see if anyone is interested.  The stipulations have changed.  I don't need to drop $ for team fees or attend X number of lessons.  So I sign on and, now, my best friend has transferred to my college.  I become the team prez and she's the vice prez.

I realized later that the reason the changes were made, in order to actually get people involved, was because there was still a "school team", but it had no riders.  And it was still hosting a show in February.  We managed to get and maintain a small team for the four years I was the president.  We weren't ever high in the points, but we had a good time trying.

When the time had come to decide where I would be starting, I sorta got my feelings hurt.  They'd asked about my show history and how long I'd been riding and all of that.  And, even though I'd champion'd in one recognized show, the team captain and secretary (who later became my farm family and refined me) decided that I would do best in Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter.  It was a blow to my jumping ego.

Colleges in our division included:  the University of Georgia, Clemson University, Berry College, Landers and... I think.. the University of South Carolina.  Maybe.  And some other tiny colleges, like ours.

I ended my IHSA career (until I finally cough up the money and time to try alumni) about two points shy of pointing out of W/T/C and into the jumping classes.  Le sigh.


In no particular order, show photos!

I loved blue show shirts. And wasn't fond of belts.

Trainer, bestie, me.

Somehow....

..I won the class on this little appy.

Huh.  I guess I've always sat more on the left.

Bestie, me, teammate who got to jump,  WTC teammate.

Team mate who showed cows, team mate who jumped, trainer, me.

*I suck.  Here's what was special about IHSA:  the colleges that had horses brought some of their horses to the show, wherever it was held.  The horses were organized based on their skill level, the skill level of the person who could ride them, and any height/weight restrictions (165#).  Then you were randomly assigned a horse based on those restrictions.  There was a "cheat sheet" that told about that horse: color, gender, breed, and any issues, like crop needed or sticky left lead or doesn't like to bend.  And then you got on the horse, adjusted your stirrups and went immediately into the show ring.  No warm ups allowed.