KEY TIPS FOR YOUR COLLEGE IHSA TRYOUT

If you’re dreaming of combining your love for horses with your college experience, the IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association) offers an incredible opportunity to do just that. But before you saddle up for your college tryout, it’s essential to be prepared. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just starting out, understanding the nuances of the tryout process can make all the difference. In this post, I will walk you through everything you need to know to make a memorable impression and increase your chances of landing a spot on your dream team.

How to know your level placement

Being a past IHSA team captain and member of a large college team myself, I can say with confidence there is lots you should know before your tryout. Starting off with the level placement. In IHSA there are 6 levels, introductory, pre-novice, novice, limit, intermediate and open. The only three levels that are both over fences and flat are limit, intermediate and open. The rest are strictly flat. When being placed into your tryout, most college teams will ask if you have a USEF (competition) record and IEA experience, then have you fill out a form about your riding experience. If you have ever shown in any rated show, you will be immediately placed into limit flat and fences. Intermediate and open placements are dependent on how high you have competed and how many first placings you have under those classes. Novice and below is placed dependent on what question you answer yes up to on the placement form. ALWAYS BE HONEST!!

For the riders who grew up doing IEA, this is the exact same thing but the college version. For the riders who did not, IHSA is judged based off how well you ride a random horse. During your tryout and any competition, a random horse will be drawn out of a hat for you and that is the horse you will be assigned for your class. It is completely random so every rider has a fair chance to exhibit their skills.

What the levels entail

Getting more into the description of the classes, introductory is walk trot and primarily for new riders. Most riders are welcome to try out for introductory but are still encouraged to have a minimal amount of experience to be able to try out themselves in the arena. Pre-novice and Novice are walk, trot, and canter. Pre-novice and Novice do have differences although they are both primary flat classes. Both levels ask the same of the riders, but Novice will always ask for more demonstration of your equitation in the flat. Limit, intermediate and open are all flat and fences, but there are slight differences in each. The height of the jump does go up by level, and the flat in each level also gets more difficult. The judge will ask for more equitation tests as the level gets higher, both over fences and on the flat. As an example, a limit flat class might ask you to demonstrate a sitting trot with no stirrups, while an open flat class might ask you to demonstrate a counter canter with no stirrups. The same goes for fences, they might ask for a trot jump or demonstrate a halt after a jump. The list goes on.

Dresscode

When it comes to attire for your tryout, it is crucial to have the correct colored coat, pants, gloves, and type of shirt. There is no specific uniform for IHSA, but 99% of the riders where the same thing. That includes, a navy blue show coat, white collared button up show shirt, tan pants, black gloves, black tall boots, and your helmet of course. Your boots should always be clean and shined, your show coat ironed and wrinkle free and white shirt buttoned all the way up. There are riders who wear hunter green jackets, but the IHSA judges are always on the traditional side of show attire. It is the equitation, so navy blue is always the way to go.

Make yourself stand out

For the day of your tryout, your goal should be to STAND OUT! As a captain myself, I did not judge riders solely based off of their riding abilities. The team captains, returning members, and coach will be paying attention to every new member whether you notice it or not. They will always be talking and relaying anything they see or hear on the ground and in the saddle. Once you are given the schedule for the tryout, make a plan for yourself. Try to show up early and watch each horse and rider go, collect information for yourself about how different horses act or how different riders handle each horse. Coaches and captains will notice you taking notes! Plan a time to get ready for your ride, shine your boots and clean yourself up with enough time to be present for your horse draw or to watch your level of horses warm up. The biggest tip of all HELP OUT! Dont let yourself stand around doing nothing. Pick up poop, get in the ring and help put up and take down jumps, offer words of encouragement, introduce yourself to returning and new riders. The more you insert yourself in a positive way, the better chances you’ll have being noticed both on and off the horse.

Educate yourself and your Equitation

During your tryout, you will be individually scored. The tryout is run exactly like a horse show. You will participate in a flat class with a group of riders in your level, and over fences you will be given a course and asked to perform to your best ability. If you want to gain and advantage over the class and riders, look up equitation tests both flat and over fences online! The entirety of IHSA is equation, so know your tests and know what is to be asked in each class. Know that in the equitation, the canter is always sat, what a turn on the forehand or the haunches is, shoulder in and out, half turn and half turn in reverse, etc. The more you educate yourself on certain terms, the easier your tryout will go. Also, do not be afraid to ask your trainer from your own barn about these tests and moves! I am currently preparing one of my own riders for her tryout by teaching all of these terms and training equations tests in our lessons!

The last thing I can say is be excited! College tryouts will always be intimidating, no matter the level of any rider. Regardless if you make the team or not, you will always have another chance to try again. All riders that have a passion for this sport will always take things a little to seriously, but let yourself relax, everything will be okay! The best you can do is educate and prepare yourself, the rest will happen on its own.

To the riders reading this and trying out, GOOD LUCK YOU’VE GOT THIS!