Showing With the Purdue Equestrian Team

The Purdue Equestrian Team shows in intercollegiate horse shows hosted by IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Showing Association). Although showing is not required, it is highly recommended because it is a ton of fun and is a great way to get to know fellow team members. Shows are hosted by various school in our region (Zone 9, Region 1) including Saint Mary of the Wood's University, Taylor University, Notre Dame University, University of Illinois, and of course, Purdue. IHSA teams from all over the Indiana/Illinois area come to compete.

IHSA shows follow specific guidelines to make showing fair and exciting. Each showing member draws a horse at random right before their class, then mounts the horse and enters the show ring without any warm up or prior schooling. Riders are judged on how well they themselves can ride an unfamiliar horse. Riders are then placed and pinned following their class.

Depending on the placing a rider gets, the rider receives points that go towards their individual scores. Points are as follows: 1:7 points, 2:5 points, 3:4 points, 4:3 points, 5:2 points, 6:1 point. Prior to the show, coaches are also required to choose what is called a Point Rider for each class. This choice is a complete secret to everyone except the coaches. The points that this rider earns goes towards the team's total score.

At the end of each show, High Point and Reserve High Point awards are given to riders and teams who have acquired the most points. As the spring semester draws to a close, those who have acquired enough points in their specific division may qualify to compete in a regional horse show. Those who place first or second in their division automatically qualify for zones. Those who place first or second at the zones horse show are able to continue on to the National horse show.

Intercollegiate showing caters to riders in all different levels. All members are able to show in a flat class, and then the coaches will select riders to participate in the higher events (jumping in the case of hunt seat, reining for western). You don't have to be extremely experienced to show, which is what makes intercollegiate so great. IHSA provides the following divisions:

If you are unsure what division you would fit into, you need not worry.  Placement in the divisions is determined by an IHSA approved questionnaire and is also at the discretion of the coach. Riders are able to "point up" in divisions as they accumulate points, so you can advance in your showing level as you become a better rider.

Shows take place on the weekends, either Saturday, Sunday, or both. For two day shows, the team stays together in a local hotel and goes out to dinner Saturday night after the first day of showing. The team also carpools as a group to and from the shows. All members stay at the show the entire day to lend support to their fellow teammates.

Last but not least, one of the great things about is that intercollegiate showing with Purdue is extremely affordable. Showing fees are as follows:

• IHSA membership: $30

• Horse show entry fee: $25 per class

• Hotel fee: $25 for one night