|
Q: Do I need my own horse?
|
|
A: At the IHSA shows, the host college provides the horses to be
used in that show. Students cannot bring their own horse(s) to the
shows. The horse that the rider will compete upon is determined
randomly at the start of each show, taking into account the height of the
rider. Riders may or may not ride the same horse in their hack and jumping
class, but most likely will not.
 It is not necessary to own your
own horse to take lessons and practice with the team. Our coach,
Karen Greenwood, has horses that she gives lessons on. Usually, about
two to three people have a lesson at the same time. Riders are
grouped into a lesson by their riding ability and by their schedules.
If a rider wants to bring their own horse, they need to work this out
individually with Karen (it should not be a problem).
Jill
Wilson
|
|
Q: Where do we ride?
|
|
A:The IHSA team practices at Cedar Valley Farm in Toano
,
VA.
The farm is about 20 minutes from
campus and requires a car to get there. Because freshman and sophomores are
not allowed to have cars on campus, underclassmen are grouped with
upperclassmen in their lessons to insure everyone has a ride to the farm.
|
|
Q: How much does it cost to ride? How much funding is provided by W&M?
|
|
A: The club dues are $500 per
semester, not including any show or IHSA fees. Students who use their
own horse in the program can negotiate with Karen for board and dues.
These fees cover one lesson per week in addition to independent riding and
coaching at all shows.
Show fees in the IHSA are
$20 per class. Riders do not participate in more than two classes per
show. Other fees include transportation fees, and IHSA membership
fees-both individual and team.
The IHSA team is considered a
club sport at the College
of
William
& Mary. Because of
this, we receive minimal funding from the department of recreational
sports. All fees not covered by the amount given to us from Rec.
sports we must either pay ourselves, or earn through fund raising. Click here to go to the
Recreational Sports web page.
Lauren Burns
|
|
Q: What other opportunities are there to participate as a team member?
|
|
A:Each year, William & Mary students have the opportunity
to compete in another type of intercollegiate show, the Affiliated National
Riding Championships. This is different from the usual IHSA format in
several ways. First, competitors must provide their own horse--a mount on
which they have practiced well in advance of the show. Second, the show
takes place over three phases: a program ride (similar to a Dressage test),
a cross-country or hunter trial course, and a stadium or medal-type course.
All three phases are judged purely on equitation, control, and the mastery
of the principles of forward-seat riding as outlined by such greats as
Vladimir Littauer. There is also a
 written horsemanship phase which is
not included in the team total, but for which individual ribbons are given.
Each school may field a team of 3-4 riders, plus individual riders may
enter. The show location rotates from year to year to different host
colleges within the organization. At William & Mary, most competitors
provide their own personal horse, or are able to lease a horse from the
program or private owners.
Mary Anne Hutchinson
|
|
Q: Are there any guys on the team?
|
|
A: It's definitely a rarity to see
a male equestrian in our IHSA Region.
There is currently only one gentlemen riding with W&M's
program, however, more are always welcome!
|
|
Q: What
if I'm a Western Rider?
|
|
A: You too can compete. Although Karen Greenwood
does not offer western instruction, those with previous experience
in western riding can compete in western events including
horsemanship and reining. Such events are held by certain colleges in Zone
4, Region 1.
This site is maintained by sclehm@wm.edu
|
