Fairfield, Conn. – Oct. 2, 2017 – The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) announced the locations for the for their Western Semi-Finals competitions, the definitive step for Western riders and teams to qualify for Nationals. IHSA riders compete in a range of levels in Western horsemanship and in the open level in both horsemanship and reining.
Black Hawk College in Zone 7, Region 4 will host one Semi-Final at the East campus in Galva, Illinois. Black Hawk College was the reserve national champion team at the 2017 IHSA Nationals held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The event will be the second Semi-Finals held at the Black Hawk College facility.
Alfred University in Hamburg, New York in IHSA’s Zone 2, Region 1, will hold Western Semi-Finals for the first time. In 2017, two members of the Alfred University Western equestrian team placed in the top 10 of their respective divisions at Nationals.
The third Semi-Finals presenter is West Virginia University (WVU) in Zone 2, Region 5 and home of the 2017 Regional The event will be held at the University’s facility in Reedsville, West Virginia. It will also be their first-time to host Semi-Finals. The WVU team earned the 2017 reserve Regional championship and the 2016 Regional championship.
Eight regions will be represented at each Semi-Final. The top-two individual Western riders from each region’s championship show and the high-point team from each region will compete at the Semi-Finals.
From each of the three Semi-Finals, the top four riders in each individual division, plus the top three teams overall will advance to the IHSA National Championship show to be held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg May 3-6.
Schools hosting western shows are expected to avoid hiring the judges that will officiate at the Semi-Finals their region will attend, and judges officiating Nationals.
Check back before making travel plans in the case of any last-minute venue changes.
Click here for the regional team distribution and more information about the Western Semi-Finals events.
About IHSA
The IHSA was founded in 1967 by Robert Cacchione while he attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. The organization was established so that any full-time college student could participate in equestrian competition regardless of economic status, gender or riding level. The IHSA emphasizes learning and sportsmanship and fosters teamwork. Now celebrating its 50-year anniversary, the organization has grown to include 400 member teams and 10,000 riders in Hunter Seat Equitation, Western Horsemanship and Reining. The IHSA encompasses 40 Regions, 8 Zones and 45 states and Canada. College or university teams, individuals, alumni and coaches may become members.
For more information go to: IHSAinc.com
