MCET Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)
1. What is the Equestrian
Team?
The Equestrian Team is a group of
undergraduate students attending Moravian College who compete in
the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. Members of the Equestrian
Team compete, take lessons and participate in fundraiser activities. back
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2. What is the Equestrian
Club?
The Equestrian Club is a part of the
Team, including members who do not choose to compete. The Team
is comprised of competing and non-competing members. Both focus
on horseback riding as an extracurricular activity, as well as
team work and also offers leadership opportunities. back
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3.What is the difference? Can
I be involved in both or just one if I want?
The difference between the “team” and
the “club” is that club members do not compete. There
is no distinction in members between the club and the team – members
participate in the same activities and fundraisers. Club members
are invited to attend all competitive events. back
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4.
Where is the barn?
Blue Valley Riding Center
is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (approximately 20-25 minutes
from Moravian College campus). Lessons are taught by
our coach, Allison Fiorot. The barn number is:
610-865-0438.
Lessons costs are: 1/2 hour (private): 30.00; 1 hour (group):
30.00 The team pays for $5 of each lesson. . back
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5. 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. Riders from college teams
compete at regional, zone and national levels. The IHSA was established
in 1967 by Bob Cacchione when he was a sophomore at Farleigh University.
Today 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.
From the IHSAinc.com website:
The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) has grown
and developed since it was established in 1967 through
the prototype competition program Bob Cacchione (with the
help of his professor Jack Fritz) started when he
was an 18-year-old sophomore at Fairleigh Dickinson University
in New Jersey.
Today, from its beginning with just two intercollegiate competing colleges,
the IHSA is an organization that encompasses 29 Regions in 9 Zones with
more than 300 member colleges in 45 states and Canada – representing
more than 6500 riders in both Hunter Seat Equitation, Western Horsemanship,
and Reining. In 1999 the original organization was dissolved and IHSA
Inc was incorporated as a non-profit organization.
Highly praised for its structure of competition, the IHSA allows riders
with various degrees of experience in the hunter and western rider disciplines
to compete individually or on a team. Competition plays a role, but student
enthusiasm and team spirit are the major objectives. Emphasis is on learning,
sportsmanship and fun.
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 (Nationals) 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.
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: winning the “Collegiate Cup” for
the Hunter Seat division and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)
Trophy in the Western division.
The regional high point riders are eligible for the National Individual
Championship. The USEF/Cacchione Cup is awarded to the National Individual
Hunter Seat High Point Rider. The AQHA Western Rider winner receives
a Textan saddle and a scholarship. The National Reining Horse Association
(NRHA) awards a Morrison Bronze trophy to the winner of the Individual
Open Reining Horsemanship class winner.
IHSA Mission (also from website): 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 be able to participate in horse shows regardless of his or her
financial status or riding level. 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.
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
6. What are the fees involved
in showing?
A rider must have an official IHSA
membership to compete in hunter seat, western or both. To compete
in either hunter seat or western, the individual membership fee
is $20. The fee to compete in both is $30. This application must
be filed with the President College of the Region (Kutztown University
for Zone 3 Region 4). Class fees at the regular point shows during
both the fall and spring seasons are $22 per class. These are the
only individual fees involved in showing. back
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7. How
much do lessons cost?
Lessons are given by our team coach,
Allison Fiorot. The barn we ride out
of is Koehler's Stables.
The barn number is: 610-865-0438.
Lessons costs are: 1/2 hour (private): 30.00; 1 hour (group):
30.00 The team pays for $10 of each lesson. For example, half hour
lessons cost $30 but you would only have to pay $20 of that cost
because the other $10 is covered by the team budget. All lessons
include this $10 discount. back to top
8. How do lessons work
and what do I need to bring and wear?
For a lesson, you will arrive at the
barn about half an hour before your lesson will start. You will
need to sign in, pay for your lesson, and check with Allison to see who you are riding.
Depending on your ability level, you will either get the horse
ready yourself or someone will help you. Once the horse is ready,
you will then begin your lesson with Allison. She will direct the
lesson, and afterwards you must take care of your horse and put away
all of its tack and/or coolers. You make take as
many lessons during the fall and spring semesters as you need and/or
want. You should wear breeches, high boots or paddock boots
and approved safety helmet (the team owns some schooling helmets
if you need one). If this is your first time riding, shoes or boots
with a heel and jeans or fitted pants are a start. back
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9. 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. back to top
10. Do I need to have
experience?
You do not need to have experience
to participate in the team or to show. However, if you do not have
any experience and you intend to show, you need to take as many
lessons as determined by Allison before your first show so that you
can be safe at your first show. You do not need to have any riding
experience to take a lesson with Allison. back
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11. I don’t have
time to show/I don’t want to show. Can I just take
lessons and/or participate in the Equestrian Club?
Absolutely. If you do not want to
show or do not have time, you may take lessons at the barn and
also participate in the Team’s activities. You may also attend
the shows if you want to provide support for the teammembers. back
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12. Can I get gym credit
for horseback riding?
Yes. Anyone (in the Equestrian
Club or not) can get gym credit for horseback riding.
You must fulfill the lesson requirement to get the gym
credit, which is to take 7 hour and a half lessons (or
another equivalent of that amount). You may take these
lessons at any barn. In order to officially get the credit
on your grade transcript, you must get an official signed
letter on the barn's letterhead stating that you met
the lesson requirements of an equivalent of them. This
letter may be signed by the barn manager or your instructor.
The letter must then be submitted to Dawn Ketterman-Benner
in the Physical Education Department. Contact
Mrs. Ketterman-Benner for more information and/or
with any questions.
Show FAQ
1. What do I need to
know and do in order to show?
In order to show, you need to have
had taken some lessons with Allison, who can assess if you will be
safe to attend a show. You will also need to fill out your individual
IHSA membership paperwork before you attend your first show and
submit your membership check of either $20 (hunter seat or western)
or $30 (for both disciplines). In order to show, you need to be
classed in your appropriate class level. This happens at the beginning
of the fall semester for new riders and also occurs during the
span of the show season for any additional riders. At the regional
classing before the first IHSA show, the Regional President (Bruce Lacushia from Kutztown University) watches you ride and determines
your level or ability from your performance (which only takes a
few minutes) and your membership application. Once you are classed,
you do not need to be classed again.
For more information on IHSA membership, read the IHSA rules: http://www.ihsainc.com/uploads/Webpages/5/docs/5_0009.doc
You may also visit the IHSAinc website: IHSAinc.com back
to show FAQ
2. What do I need to
bring to a show?
You need to bring or wear your show
clothes, you IHSA number (which is the only number you are given
during the show season, you must remember to ring it to every show – there
are no extras - if you lose your number, you must make another
one), money to buy a program in which to keep track of your points
(or for anything else, food, etc), boot polish, hair nets, bobby
pins, hair spray, and your camera. back
to show FAQ
3. What is appropriate
attire for a show?
Appropriate show attire would be light-colored
breeches (tan, not white or any other color), black high boots
or field boots, a velvet show helmet, black gloves, a button-down
show shirt with a collar, a show pin for the collar, a show jacket,
and your number. Male riders can wear a button-down shirt and a
tie with the same outfit. back to show
FAQ
4. 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. back
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5. 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, riders will participate
in a “ride-off” with new horses chosen and which will
include tests (no stirrups, sitting trot, etc.). The winner and
second place winner of the ride-off are awarded High Point and
Reserve High Point Rider. Theses awards are given at every show. back
to show FAQ
6. Do I need to have
experience to show?
You do not need to have experience
to show, but you need to have taken some lessons with Allison, so
that she can make sure that you will be safe at a show. back
to show FAQ
7. How does the coach
help at the shows?
The team's coach helps
at shows by helping team riders get ready – polishing boots,
fixing hair nets, etc. She also watches the rider’s horse
warm up with the rider and helps them plan their class. She also
walks the course with the rider in a fences class. She helps during
the class by watching the class and providing tips from the rail
as the rider passes. She provides moral and competitive support
for the team and its riders during the show. She also stewards
at some of the shows. back to show FAQ
8. Can I come to the
shows just to watch?
Anyone (parents, friends, boyfriends,
girlfriends, club members, etc.) may come to the shows to watch. back
to show FAQ
9. Where can I find
directions to the shows?
Directions to the shows (most
regular shows and Regionals will be held at Briarwood):
From Moravian College: Start out going North on MAIN ST toward W ELIZABETH
AVE. Turn LEFT onto W ELIZABETH AVE. W ELIZABETH AVE becomes MAUCH CHUNK
RD. MAUCH CHUNK RD becomes SCHOENERSVILLE RD. Merge onto US-22 E (Portions
toll). Turn RIGHT onto CR-523/MAIN ST. Continue to follow CR-523. Turn
LEFT onto CR-620/E DREAHOOK RD. Continue to follow CR-620. Turn RIGHT
onto HILLCREST RD. Keep along this road until you see a large open farm
on your right, turn down gravel drive on right. back
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Directions for Zones and Nationals will be posted
if team members qualify. |
