Often students can’t afford the expense of riding and showing while away at school, so many future equestrians lose valuable hauling time. But, where there’s a will there’s a way, and the IHSA helps students continue competing in shows while in college by guaranteeing a show circuit and prizes.

The NRHA has committed its support to the IHSA by sponsoring the Open Reining Class at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Associations National Championship slated this year for May 4-6 at Georgia’s International Horse Park.

As a bonus of that commitment, the ISHA National Open Reining Champion will win a C.R. Morrison Bronze. The official NRHA trophy features a sliding stop maneuver and is a coveted award for reiners worldwide, so IHSA athletes are up for a memorable reward.

Ollie Griffith, Chairman of the NRHA Judges Committee, is also the Ohio State University Intercollegiate Horse Show Team coach. His western discipline teams have won six IHSA National Championships and Griffith has been instrumental in creating the relationship between the NRHA and the IHSA. He also sees an interesting parallel between the two organizations.

Both bring the western and hunter seat worlds together. With the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, the combined competition has given riders from each discipline an appreciation for the other. That’s the same thing we’ve seen on the international front with the National Reining Horse Association. As reining has become accepted globally, it has gained attention from, and the respect of, the English show world.

Griffith explains that Intercollegiate horse shows have adopted an interesting twist to an old competition. In both English and western competition, the riders meet their mounts, through a random draw, for the first time, then show them with no prior meeting or practice. The only adjustment allowed is to the stirrups to secure a proper fit.

The IHSA embraced this form of showing to give riders from all skill levels and financial backgrounds equal opportunity to win as individuals and team members. Griffith adds, The IHSA is very proud of the fact that there are young riders who have come through the collegiate ranks and gone on to have successful careers in the horse industry.

Celebrating 30 years of English and western showing, the IHSA is posting record membership, with upwards of 6200 members from over 300 college teams in 46 contiguous states. IHSA members participate in a series of regional shows before moving on to zone competitions, then to the IHSA National Championship.

Griffith, as a long-time competitor and instructor, admits to having a special kinship with reining. He points out that the industry offers every individual the opportunity to learn and compete. There is a strong sense of competition, we can say for sure; but reining allows people to really enjoy themselves while being competitive. The learning curve exists. Watch the great riders watching other ones. The more you learn in this sport, the more you know something even bigger is coming. It just keeps getting better.

And that’s one reason he’s glad the NRHA has stepped in to support the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.

The support of the NRHA, Griffith explains, is impressive and promises continued success. Through this partnership with the IHSA the National Reining Horse Association is helping to produce future reiners and foster a love for the sport.

For more information contact the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association at www.ihsa.com.