Many competitive riders talk about the nerves they feel before walking into the show pen. Now imagine if the horse you’re showing is a total stranger. That’s the heart of the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) format, and what makes it such a unique test of horsemanship.
This year, I qualified for the IHSA National Championships at Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina. It was my second year riding on the Oregon State University team, and my first time making it to Nationals.
READ MORE ON THE 2025 IHSA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Photo by Winslow Photography
Drawing a Horse and Giving It Your All
I competed in the AQHA/NRHA Individual Ranch Riding class and drew a bay mare named Walla. I had seen her go in the schooling session and was excited to have the opportunity to show her. She was cute, ranchy, forward-moving, and had all the buttons. She turned out to ride just like I hoped she would.
The tricky part of IHSA is learning to read a new horse quickly. We rely on donated horses, which is generous but logistically challenging. Riders try to observe the horses beforehand, talk to their handlers, and then do their best with what they’ve got—often with just a few minutes to get a feel for the horse before walking into the arena.
Walla and I had a fun run. A couple of rider errors on my part bumped our score, but we still placed tenth and was awarded a sponsor-provided gift card. Something I was incredibly proud of given the caliber of riders and horses at the show.
Hours in the Saddle Pay Off
Getting to Nationals takes more than just luck with the draw. I put in serious saddle time to prepare. Not just for Nationals, but for the NRHA/IHSA Western Semi-Finals leading up to it. I rode at least twice a week with my coach, Dawn Ross, and with others she connected me to. I rode reining horses, horsemanship horses, ranch horses, mules—you name it.
That variety was key. I worked on body control, cue clarity, being able to accurately stop, and building confidence on new horses. Riding so many different types of horses helped me improve fast, and I carried that momentum into Tryon.
Photo by Winslow Photography
IHSA Opens Doors for Riders Like Me
I don’t own a horse and can’t afford one while I’m in school. IHSA has given me a way to keep riding, competing, and pushing myself without the costs that normally come with showing. I’ve traveled to places I’d never seen before and competed in arenas I used to only dream about.
And the support from my team? Incredible. Even though Oregon State’s IHSA team is smaller than many powerhouse schools, we’ve built something strong. It’s also been cool to see how supportive the larger programs are toward teams like ours.
More Than Just a Horse Show
Nationals was more than just a competition, it was an eye-opening experience. Tryon’s massive facility allowed us to watch both Western and hunter-seat events, often happening at the same time. I watched reining horses spin and slide, then walked over to the Grand Prix arena and saw jumpers fly over fences taller than I am.
I left Nationals more inspired than ever. I improved in ways I didn’t think were possible this season, and I’m already looking forward to the next season. With IHSA, there’s always something to work toward, and always something new to learn.
