Bob Cacchione, IHSA executive director, awards prizes for high-point Western rider at the 2012 national championships to Austin Griffith of the Ohio State University team.

In 1967, a young, horseless Bob Cacchione went off to college, but missed his time in the saddle. He found a few like-minded friends and a local stable and formed a club.

He’d bring his friends out to rent horses for an hour, and in return, the stable owner allowed Bob to ride for an hour while instructing his friends for free.

Word spread quickly throughout the campus and soon Bob’s group of five friends grew to 40. When the college faculty heard this, they asked Bob to continue teach to horseback riding, as a one-credit physical education class.

At the request of his school, Bob then hosted a horse show. It was a huge success and soon other schools wanted to participate. Thus, the IHSA was born.

Learn more about IHSA in this Q&A with Cacchione:

H&R: What type of riders is the IHSA for?

Cacchione: Everybody. That’s just one of the unique things about IHSA. You could have ridden in camp when you were 10 years old and maybe never had the wherewithal to go beyond that. But you’ve always had that desire. When you go to college now, there’s a class for you. You can go in the walk/trot division and learn the basics and work your way up.

You need riders in every level to make a team. So walk/trot riders are counted just like the Medal/Maclay riders—as part of the team. You also have the individual situation. Everyone can qualify as an individual for regional zones through the national championship. So you have both scenarios. The IHSA is really open to everyone.

We’ve had riders come through that started in the open level when they were in college, because of their background: Beezie Madden, Peter Wylde, Mark Weissbecker. They’ve all won the cash open and gone on to the Olympics.

Then you see a lot of the walk/trot and walk/trot/canter riders (novice riders) who move up the levels and when they graduate, many of them end up buying a horse. They maybe only dreamed of that and never thought the reality could take place. Today, that’s not true.

H&R: Does IHSA provide the horses for the shows and how do those shows work?

Cacchione: Yes. Not only at the regional shows, but also all the way up to the national championships.

The riders stay within their regions throughout the school year. Then they have a regional final. By the second week of April, the zone finals are held, then the national championships. The championships rotate locations.

We’ve had to move to bigger venues for the national championships because we bring in 150 horses. About 80 of them are huntseat and the rest are Western.

H&R: What makes a horse really good for IHSA?

Cacchione: Many of these horses, around the country, are donated. So they get a second chance. They’re no longer able to do the four-foot or open jumping. These horses are able to get that second chance and become great IHSA horses.

The students get the opportunity to ride these incredible horses.

H&R: What are some of the benefits to the riders for competing in IHSA?

Cacchione: First of all, they have a chance to start at their level—whatever it may be. Even if they are a former Medal/Maclay rider, they’re going to start at their level and compete with like riders.

Second of all, everyone has to draw horses out of a hat—from the first show of the season all the way up to nationals. So that levels out the playing field. So everybody is in the same position. Everybody gets the same scenario.

Another thing that’s very important is the team camaraderie. These kids, if you go to an intercollegiate show—whether you go to one during the regular season of the nationals—you see a lot of the Medal/Maclay riders who’ll finish their classes, take off their jackets, roll up their sleeves, and they’re out there helping the walk/trot riders get into the ring. The team camaraderie is a major thing, and these kids make lifelong friends. I see that as one of the important elements in this whole thing.

H&R: How would you finish this sentence? It’s good to try IHSA competition if…

Cacchione: If you want to learn how to ride different horses, which will help you and make you a better rider.

H&R: How would an interested high school or college student learn more?

Cacchione: What I recommend to anyone is to go to our Web site ihsainc.com and click on to where all the colleges are by region and zone. First, look for a curriculum that’s of interest to them. The second thing should be riding. Unless they’re interested in equine studies.

Then click on to the links of the colleges to learn more about their IHSA programs. That would help, especially for juniors and seniors in high school. When they go visit the schools, they should also visit the facilities where the programs are and where the school rides. Some schools have their own facilities, and others have a place off campus where they ride.

When my daughter enrolled In 4-H this year, I expected it to give her a chance to make friends, learn about her horse, and ride. All good things. What I discovered, though, was that she gained so much more. In fact, she gained an education in ships: horsemanship, leadership, citizenship, and friendship.

As a parent, I saw 4-H through a different lens than I did as a child, when it was just fun. After watching my own daughter work on her record books, give presentations, and prep for fair, I found myself taking a “what I wish I knew then that I know now” look at 4-H. I talked to several experts—from former 4-H members to leaders and staffers—about what first-time 4-Hers (and their parents) should know before they embark on a horse project. If you know of someone about to set sail in 4-H, or are a youth who’d like to get involved, consider this advice for what to expect and how to get started.

1. Find a club. You may already be aware of a club in your area, but it’s worth contacting your county extension office to find the right club. Donna Patterson, a former 4-Her and an extension educator in Oklahoma for 4-H youth development, says, “When we have someone new, I start by asking about interests, and what brought him or her to 4-H.” She’ll match their interests and goals with a club in the area. And don’t be afraid to switch clubs, she says. “If you go to a club, and you’re not clicking with that club, try a different one,” she says.

2. Every club has its own personality. Patterson explains that state opportunities, rules, and focuses will vary somewhat, and that counties and clubs will have their own unique interests.

“Some counties are interested in playdays and speed events. Some counties have ranches and kids showing interest in cowboy camp and ranch horse classes. And some counties have a big interest in showing,” she says. While the curriculum and standards are the same, how each county approaches the curriculum might be a little different.

3. Specialize or generalize? Some clubs are specifically horse-focused, while others are more general, with members whose projects might range from cake decorating and poultry to horses and leather craft. Patterson points out that in Oklahoma, you can join more than one club, so you may want to check with your extension office about rules governing club membership in your state. If you’re in a horse-specific club, you may have more field trips or events geared to horses.

On the other side of the coin, general clubs offer a broader 4-H experience. Tass Heim of Ada County, Idaho, began her 4-H work in 1974, bringing a wealth of equine experience with her. And, while she leads the horse projects within her club, she feels a general club offers unique benefits.

“We meet once each month as a whole club. Then the horse project is separate,” she says. That means that while there are opportunities for horse project kids to ride together and have horse-specific meetings, they also benefit from other projects and experiences in 4-H as a whole.

4. Attend a meeting. Some clubs welcome visitors to sit in on a meeting to get a sense of what the club is like. Check with the club's leader about when new members are welcomed and when a new year is kicked off. Some clubs start their new year in October, others in early winter, and others right after fair or at other times in the year.

5. Do a little research before you register. Kids may be asked to choose their projects for the year when they register. Check your county’s 4-H

Web site for information on various projects, and talk to the leader about deadlines for choosing projects.

6. Get the lay of the land. Once you've settled on a club, talk to the leader or other parents to get a broad view of the club's calendar, requirements, and activities. Knowing what's on the schedule will not only help you decide if it’s a good fit for you, but also can help you feel a little less like you’re walking into a dark room.

“We ride once or twice a month through November,” says Heim. “Then we take the bad winter months off, and during those times we do things like field trips, horse bowls, and preparation for oral presentations.”

Patterson points out that knowing what to expect during meetings can help kids prepare. “Sometimes people think we just meet and ride. Our club also has regular business meetings, where we talk about community service events, club fundraisers, and events. The kids get to vote and elect officers,” says Patterson.

In the April 2012 issue, we wrote about the controversial topic of unwanted horses. In the June issue, our "We Hear You" section featured many reader responses to the article. Review the full article here.

He stands in a pen of mud and manure. His mane is long and tangled, and his feet haven’t been trimmed in over a year. Although he’s hungry, his kind expression and gentle face greet me hopefully when I approach the fence along with the humane officer who’s been called out by a worried passerby. He was once a champion. Now he’s starving and has no home. This is the plight of the unwanted horse.

The number of unwanted horses has increased significantly in the past five years, and experts agree on several contributing factors. With the minimum estimated annual cost for supporting a horse running between $1,800 and $3,600, the recession that hit our country hard in December of 2007 has made it simply impossible for some to support their horses. Meanwhile, closure of U.S. slaughterhouses that same year, the increased pressures on rescue facilities, cost of euthanasia and body disposal, and a greatly weakened horse market left many desperate owners with no options other than abandonment or neglect.

The harsh realities are hard to believe for horse lovers who haven’t hit desperate times, and aren’t faced with such decisions as “feed my horse or feed my family.” Misconception and controversy abound. In this article, I’ll answer the questions I’m frequently asked about the state of the unwanted horse.

Unwanted Horses: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an “unwanted horse,” and why has this become such a problem?

A: The American Association of Equine Practitioners and now the American Horse Council’s Unwanted Horse Coalition define an unwanted horse as “one that is no longer wanted by its current owner because it is old; injured; sick; unmanageable; fails to meet the owner’s expectations in terms of performance, color, or breeding; or is a horse the owner can no longer afford to maintain.” Over 150,000 horses each year fit this description, and numbers are increasing steadily in these economically troubled times.

Experts agree on a combination of factors that have made the problem of and consequences for unwanted horses more prevalent. These include indiscriminate breeding, the struggling U.S. economy, the high cost of humane euthanasia and disposal of remains, and the closure of U.S. slaughterhouses. There are simply too many horses, and too few people who can afford to care for them.

Q: Why do people get a horse if they can't afford to take care of it?

A: In some situations, owners who once could afford their horses have found themselves out of a job. Savings are depleted, and they may even be at risk of losing their homes. Feeding and caring for their horses becomes a low priority.

In other cases, people simply aren’t educated enough about the cost and commitment required for horse ownership. One of the main objectives of the Unwanted Horse Coalition is to find ways to educate owners to purchase and own responsibly. Owning a horse is a luxury—and a long-term commitment.

Q: I hear so much about equine rescue facilities—don’t they rehabilitate these abused and neglected horses to help them find new homes?

A: Yes, they do. But sadly, rescue facilities throughout the country are almost all at or near capacity, meaning there simply aren’t enough resources to save every horse. In a national survey conducted by the Unwanted Horse Coalition in 2010, 63 percent of rescue facilities reported that they were at or near full capacity, and, on average, these facilities turn away 38 percent of horses brought to them. AAEP has estimated that 2,700 new rescue facilities would have to open every year to accommodate the number of unwanted horses at current increasing numbers.

Not every horse that ends up in a rescue facility can be adopted or sold. Reports from rescue-facility operators indicate that, on average, 25 percent are unadoptable due to age, health, or temperament issues. These unadoptable animals drain resources and limit the ability of rescuers to focus on horses that might be rehabilitated and rehomed. One of the proposed solutions to this problem is to adopt the small-animal model for managing populations at horse shelters, including euthanasia for unadoptable horses.

Finally, it’s sad but true that some horses must be rescued from their rescuers. Reports of neglect at rescue facilities that have run out of resources aren’t uncommon, and when a rescue facility fails, large numbers of unwanted horses may find themselves with nowhere else to go. Lack of rescue-facility regulation is a problem that needs to be addressed as part of the unwanted-horse dilemma.

In the June 2012 "Have You Tried" section, we introduced you to the sport of Competitive Trail Rides through the North American Trail Ride Conference.

To find out what you can expect on a competitive trail ride, check out the video below!

The program: The National Reining Horse Association’s new “starter levels” of competition, which debuted in 2010, welcome riders of all backgrounds and abilities to the sport of reining. The Green Reiner class in particular takes the pressure off if you’re at the very beginning/introductory level of the sport, and wouldn’t feel comfortable in NRHA’s more competitive Rookie Reiner division. Green Reiners compete at one of two levels depending on prior points and monies earned, so that the more advanced Green Reiners aren’t mixed in with the newest of the newbies. Moreover, once a rider earns 100 Green Reiner points, he or she is no longer eligible to compete in that class, making it truly an entry-level competitive opportunity. NRHA’s complementary “Ride” and “Slide” classes offer small steps up to slightly tougher competition, creating an inviting ladder by which you can improve your performance in the sport.

Players: All types of riders. You need only an NRHA associate membership ($20) to compete in any of the entry-level classes, and you needn’t even own the horse you show. For both the Green Reiner and Ride classes, neither non-pro declarations nor competition licenses are required.

Other Advantages: Patterns are tweaked to make first experiences less intimidating. In Green Reiner classes, for example, you can ride with one or two hands, plus choose between simple (through-the-trot) or flying lead changes. Ride classes may also have reduced pattern requirements. You don’t need fancy gear or attire, either—just a long-sleeved shirt, a hat or helmet, boots, and a Western saddle and bridle.

Good to Try If: You’ve always admired reining but thought it was “above your pay grade.” In these classes, the atmosphere is supportive and encouraging, and you’ll always be competing against riders with about the same level of experience as you.

Success Tip: Work with a trainer or a knowledgeable friend to learn the basics, watch how the pros and experienced non-pros do it to absorb their knowledge and techniques, and ride a veteran reining horse if at all possible. “A seasoned horse allows you to learn how to rein versus trying to school a green horse while you’re learning yourself,” recommends Butch Human of Advance, North Carolina. Butch earned his Green Reiner buckle in less than six months aboard his “old war horse,” Mr Jerry Jac. “My wife and I started riding green horses and we struggled. With this gelding, I could go into the pen and think about what I needed to do, instead of worrying about my horse.”

The Buzz: These entry-level classes provide more than camaraderie and the satisfaction of learning and improving. They also offer the chance to win great prizes. By accumulating Green Reiner points at NRHA competitions, riders can earn trophy jackets (50 Green Reiner points) and Montana Silversmiths trophy belt buckles (100 points).

And for the Wee Ones: Youth riders can participate in the entry-level classes they qualify for, and for the smallest fry, there’s the short stirrup class. It uses NRHA Pattern No. 11, created especially for this class. The pattern calls for slower speeds and eliminates flying lead changes. As in the new entry-level classes for adults, the youngsters needn’t own the mounts they ride, making it easier for those great old reining horses to teach the sport to the next generation.

Learn More: All approved shows and NRHA affiliates are listed at nrha .com; (405) 946-7400.

Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Zzzzzz.

That sound you hear is that of time passing by and of you, worn out by the daily grind and put to sleep by the notion of yet another “stay-cation” spent at home catching up on chores. Is that going to put snapshots in your scrapbook or be something the kids remember fondly for life? Not likely!

Before another year gets away with no getaway, why not rekindle life’s fun factor by going on a vacation trip based on your love for horses? There are lots of ways to make that happen and plenty of price-point options.

As proof, we rounded up details on 50 great escapes that range from across the country and around the world to just down the road a piece. Tip: Many of the vacations presented here will allow you to bring your own horse, so if that interests you, be sure to inquire about it when you find a listing that sounds like it’s up your alley.

With eight categories to pick from in this article and multiple locales named within each, you can go on 50 vicarious vacations right now. Send us a postcard from the one you pick!

Cattle Drive/Cowboy Work
Help real ranch hands drive and sort cattle, plus perform other ranch chores. Don’t forget to bring your chaps.

Appeal: If you’ve always wanted to cowboy up, here’s your chance to try your hand at traditional ranch chores—up to and including cattle drives—on veteran, well-behaved cow ponies. Tip: Inquire about seasonal opportunities; cattle drives typically take place in the spring and fall.

Offered by: McGinnis Meadows Cattle & Guest Ranch in Libby, northwest Montana. Polish your skills with Buck Brannaman-influenced horsemanship coaching, then practice cattle sorting, cutting, and ranch penning on talented horses. You can also ride trails, plus help with colt gentling in the spring.

More info: mmgranch.net; (406) 293-5000.

CALIFORNIA. Hunewill Guest Ranch, Bridgeport. Try the Big Fall Cattle Gather; the Hunewill (pronounced “honeywell”) was established in 1861 by Napoleon Bonaparte Hunewill. hunewillranch.com; (760) 932-7710.

COLORADO. Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, Loveland. Learn about low-impact rotational grazing as you help ranch hands move and work Red Saler cows and calves. sylvandale.com; (877) 667-3999.

MISSOURI. RS Ranch Gaited Getaways, Bourbon. Ride one of the ranch’s Missouri Fox Trotters or bring your own horse to help out on a 500-acre ranch that still uses draft horses to perform heavy work. rsranchtrailrides.com; (573) 732-4590.

OHIO. Smoke Rise Ranch, Glouster. Participate in cattle drives, team penning, cutting, and guided trail rides, plus enjoy pool parties, music, and dancing deep in the Hocking Hills. smokeriseranch.com; (800) 292-1732.

TEXAS. Running-R Guest Ranch, Bandera. Play cowhand in the Texas Hill Country; the Running-R adjoins a 5,500-acre state natural area with over 40 miles of trails. rrranch.com; (830) 796-3984.

Luxury and cowboy can go together at ranches like Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa. Try your hand at cutting and ride the range, or play the 18-hole championship golf course.

Photo courtesy of Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa

Resort Luxury With Horses
Pamper yourself at a handsome facility offering multiple actives, deluxe accommodations, and fine dining.

Appeal: Vacation at a multi-purpose resort, and the non- riding members of your family will have plenty to do, such as fish, swim, play golf, go touring—or spend a relaxing after- noon at the spa. Tip: Be prepared to open your wallet; resorts, especially the most luxurious ones, can be pricey.

Offered by: Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa, Lajitas, Texas. This full-service resort’s equestrian center offers riding lessons and trail rides through the desert mountains bordering Mexico. Its extracurricular activities include 18-hole championship golf; fossil explorations and bird-watching expeditions; and historical tours of Lajitas, where Comanche Indians and Pancho Villa once roamed.

More info: lajitasgolfresort.com; (432) 424-5000.

ARIZONA. Rancho de los Caballeros, Wickenburg. Ride all week and never see the same trail twice, or try your hand at team penning; other activities include tennis, golf, and trap/ skeet shooting. sunc.com; (928) 684-5484.

CALIFORNIA. Alisal Guest Ranch, Solvang. Trail ride over 10,000 acres in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country, or play golf on a course designed in 1956 by the legendary Billy Bell, Jr. alisal.com; (805) 688-4215.

COLORADO. Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Tabernash. Explore trails on 5,000 acres of privately owned wilderness, then luxuriate at the nature-based spa and in a lavish private cabin or cozy lodge room. devilsthumbranch.com; (800) 933-4339. NEW YORK. Rocking Horse Ranch, Highland. Ride with confidence on a trail ride matched to your ability; kids will love the indoor water park—with 250-foot water slide. rhranch.com; (800) 647-2624.

NORTH CAROLINA. Pisgah View Ranch, Candler. See the Blue Ridge Mountains on horseback, mountain bike, or foot; enjoy nightly entertainment and games from horseshoes to volleyball. pisgahviewranch.net; (866) 252-8361.

WYOMING. Red Reflet Guest Ranch, Ten Sleep. Help with the working-ranch chores or ride out on the range, then retreat to a deluxe chalet with private hot tub and stocked wine cooler. red-reflet-ranch.net; (866) 766-2340.

Getting kids into horses isn’t as easy as it used to be. Many factors—economic constraints on families, competing youth activities, ever-more-enticing online distractions—combine to make horse involvement a less-likely choice for youngsters than it was just a few decades ago.

This comes at a time, too, when the need to recruit new enthusiasts is the greatest it’s ever been. As horse-obsessed baby boomers begin to age out of active involvement (see “That was Then…,” page 3), large numbers of fresh recruits will be needed to replace them.

Fortunately, there’s good news, too. Equine organizations are beginning to respond to this critical challenge with resourcefulness and creativity. They’re not only expanding on the ways youngsters can participate within a group’s existing structure, but also actively reaching out to children and families that aren’t already involved in the horse world.

In other words, they’re working to bring new blood into the business.

In this article, we’ll share some of the most innovative of these emerging ideas. We’ll report on the efforts of breed and sport organizations, plus fill you in on the latest from a few other high-profile youth-focused groups, as well.

We hope that spreading the word will provide a multiplier effect by encouraging organizations to learn from and share with each other.

NHSRA—Rodeo Videos
Cool Idea: Share young riders’ action videos online via a kid-oriented YouTube-like site.

Who’s doing it: National High School Rodeo Association

How it works: NHSRA members post videos of themselves competing in their events on the Web site iHigh.com a high school sports and social media site. As videos are shared, the action and excitement that is high school rodeo is brought to non-horse involved kids, too.

“It’s like a YouTube community, only just for high school kids,” explains Michael Dixon, NHSRA’s executive director/CEO. “It’s a way for us to reach out beyond our own community, to find new kids who may be interested in our sport.” The site is monitored for appropriate content and devoid of alcohol or tobacco advertising.

Dixon noted at press time that plans were to introduce the iHigh connection at the NHSRA Finals in Gillette, Wyoming, in July. “The folks from iHigh will be there, filming and live-streaming our finals on iPhones, iPads, Droids, Blackberries, and computers. Plus they’ll be interviewing kids and explaining the program to get everyone up to speed.”

Other innovations: NHSRA is updating its Web site to appeal to today’s tech-savvy, social-media-using kids.

To learn more:nhsra.com; (800) 466-4772; iHigh.com.

AQHA—Early Imprinting
Cool idea: Corral the youngest children before they’re drawn off into other sports.

Who’s doing it: American Quarter Horse Association.

How it works: “Right now, it’s just a goal, but we’ve hired a point person and hope to have a plan by the end of the summer,” says Ward Stutz, AQHA’s director of education. He notes that although kids as young as 4 or 5 are naturally interested in horses, they typically can’t participate fully until they’re older; 4-H, for example, has traditionally had a minimum age of 8 for junior members.

“By that age,” Stutz notes, “they already may be committed to soccer of softball. We want to get kids hooked on horses early-on through something fun and interactive online, then follow up with a safe and fun ‘first experience’ with a live horse, then build from there. Our goal isn’t to sell the family a horse; it’s simply to build and support the interest.”—and avoid the sort of disastrous first-horse experience that can turn a child off of horses.

Other innovations: AQHA’s “Youth Racing Experience” brings youngsters to a racetrack for a day to learn, have fun and compete for scholarships. Kids complete a workbook beforehand, then shadow a trainer through the prep of a horse that races later in the day. They also learn hands-on skills, such as saddling a pony horse and wrapping legs.

Two new AQHA programs will make it easier for youngsters to get into showing. The first, started at the end of last year, allows youths (and adult amateurs) to lease a horse to compete with (but not to breed).

“This enables a youngster to get out there and even qualify for the World Show without having to own a horse,” observes Courtney Martin, AQHA’s manager of youth and education.

The second program, still in development, is a “fundamentals of horsemanship” course. It’s intended for ranch kids who aren’t necessarily interested in events like Western pleasure but would respond to the challenge of starting their own colt, then competing in an event designed to showcase their efforts. “We’re especially hoping to attract more boys,” says Martin.

To learn more: aqha.com/youth; (806) 376-4811.

Or will you?

As an adult amateur who’s competed and won at this level since I was a youth exhibitor, I’ve learned there’s more—much more—to a first-place go than being a good rider on a good horse. While those attributes may get you to the arena gate, they’re essentially the same ones your rivals possess. For your best shot at finishing in front of them, you need another set of attributes, ones that add up to planning, planning, and more planning. You need to know how to create a ready-to-win roadmap, with no detail left unmanaged, and no controllable element left to chance. Otherwise, the smallest chink in your preparatory armor can be all it takes to ruin your chances and leave you making a long, disappointed drive back home.

Using this month’s World Championship Quarter Horse Show in Oklahoma City as my example, I’ll jump-start you on learning how to draft your own big-show blue- print. I’ll share the process I use to plan for the health, comfort, and safety of my World-winning gelding, Zippo LT (“LT”). I’ll give highlights of how my trainers and I peak him for top performance at just the right time. And, I’ll provide extra key tips known to veterans of the major shows, but often learned the hard way by first-timers.

Create A Team
Though you may picture yourself as the one in the spotlight, winning at competition’s upper level isn’t a do-it-yourself project. Even if you have the skills, confidence, and experience to show without the aid of a professional trainer, you’ll still need assistance from other people invested in your success. That’s why it’s important to create a team of people you can depend on and fully trust to help with every detail. The sooner you begin to build your team and establish a good working relationship with each member, the better off you’ll be.

Your trainer, vet, farrier, and parents, or significant other are among those whose help you’ll count on. Others, who may not be so obvious, include such helpers as these: the mechanic who’ll service your rig for the trip; the friend or family member who’ll take care of your place while you’re gone; the dry cleaner, seamstress, and hat shaper responsible for making your outfits look like a million; the co-worker who’ll take up your slack at your job; the driver, paid or unpaid, who’ll help get your horse to the show; the best friend who’ll be your emotional sponge; and the assistant (trust me, you’ll need one) who’ll help you get ready for your classes. Every exhibitor has a unique set of needs, so you might need other helpers as well.

While each of your team members will have a separate job, their cumulative efforts will add up to one critical benefit—the freed-up mental space you’ll need to devote full concentration to your performances. The fewer things left for you to worry about and to pour precious energies into doing yourself, the sharper you’ll be when it counts.

Start Early
The November AQHA World Show requires pre-qualification, so it’s only natural to want to kick back, relax, and rest your horse after you’ve earned the necessary points earlier in the year. But don’t make the common first-timer mistake of giving yourself a month to get ready. That’s not enough time, especially if you also go to school or work at a full time job. My trainers and I begin getting our game plan together four months out, which means we start in July.

One of the first things I do is schedule a thorough vet exam for LT, including vaccinations and bloodwork. If he has any issues, such as need for supplements, this leaves enough time for them to be corrected before the show. Keep in mind that you’ll be putting your horse into an ultra-stressful travel and show environment. He’ll need all the health help you can give him. Also remember to book a date for getting his pre-trip health and travel papers issued. You don’t want a forced delay in departure simply because results of your horse’s Coggins test aren’t back yet.

I also plot out my horse’s farrier appointments for optimal timing. LT’s shoes are reset every six weeks, and I want him freshly shod at least a week before he leaves for the two-week show. That leaves enough time for him to recover from any minor soreness, but also means I have to think ahead to get the timing right.

Other advice: This isn’t the time to make drastic changes in how your horse is shod, or to try out a new farrier. You could hurt your campaign more than you help it by venturing into the unknown.

If you’ll be hauling your horse yourself, use part of your lead time to get your truck tuned up, your tires checked (or replaced, if necessary), your trailer’s floor and wiring checked, and so forth. Plot your route. If you’ll need to lay over, know where you’ll stay and where you’ll put your horse for the night. If you intend to use a shipper, as some exhibitors do to minimize travel stress on themselves, get the space booked and confirmed early on. Ditto for your hotel room.

Get your order in early for any new clothing, especially if it’ll be custom and require fittings. Send your show hat out to be professionally cleaned and shaped. The latter task’s more important than you might think, because a clean, crisp hat makes a good first impression. At showing’s upper level, it’s all about the details, and this is one of the easiest for you to control.

Given the myriad choices available, you can never start thinking about college too early. That’s even truer if you want to ride horses while earning your degree. Typically the search starts during the freshman and sophomore years of high school, though it can start as early as middle school. Ideally a few final targets are locked in by the fall of junior year.

No matter when you get started, there are a mind-boggling number of options and considerations. Having received hundreds of inquiries in her 10-plus years immersed in the collegiate equestrian world, Miami University of Ohio Equestrian Center Director Lori Cramer says there are many questions to ask prospective colleges and universities. But first there are several to ask yourself, none of which are riding related.

Academic programs, geographic location, tuition, cost of living and size of the student body are among the first facts to know in determining whether a college is a good fit for you. Seemingly unimportant details, such as the population and character of the school’s surrounding town or city, can have a big impact on your happiness over the course of your college years, Lori notes. She sometimes encounters students who focus only on a school’s equestrian offerings, and that, she says, is a recipe for disaster.

With the big-picture inquiries answered, the next question is, “What kind of riding do I want to do during college?”

“There are so many schools with riding programs and so many ways to ride at school,” notes Lori, an Intercollegiate Horse Show Association board member and IHSA Zone 6 chair. The choices range from taking a weekly riding lesson as a physical education class to earning a scholarship to ride competitively on the school’s equestrian team.

The “Venues”

The US Equestrian Federation is affiliated with four collegiate equestrian organizations or “venues” as Lori calls them. Founded in 1967, the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association is by far the largest with 370-plus participating colleges and universities. Twenty-three schools offer National Collegiate Athletic Association teams, 44 have Intercollegiate Dressage Association squads and there are 39 teams sanctioned by the American National Riding Commission.

IHSA and NCAA schools typically offer Hunt Seat and Western riding, while IDA serves dressage enthusiasts. As part of its effort to promote a systematic approach to riding, training and teaching, ANRC stages clinics, certifications and hunter competitions called Equitrials.

As a general rule, IHSA offers divisions for the widest range of experience: eight levels in Hunt Seat and six in Western. Spots on NCAA teams are most often sought by riders with stellar show résumés, but some schools are receptive to those with little to no competitive mileage.

In competitions sanctioned by IHSA, NCAA and IDA, you ride unfamiliar horses provided primarily by the host school.Another big common denominator is that you are allowed little to no time to practice with or school your mounts before entering a class.

Lori stresses that each venue has its own rules. NCAA, for example, has strict guidelines regarding communication between prospective coaches and students, eligibility rules that involve amateur status and prize money, and other regulations that you must research thoroughly before signing on.

Beyond that, even schools with teams sanctioned by the same entity have vastly different arrangements, requirements and riding and financial-aid opportunities. The search can be complicated, but think of it as a great chance to apply academic research skills to a critical real-world decision.

Be polite and prepared when making in-person, phone or e-mail inquiries of a coach, team member or administrator, but don’t be shy. Recruiting new riders is an important component in every school team’s ongoing success, and you might be just the student a coach is looking for.

The Internet is a goldmine of collegiate equestrian information. IHSA, NCAA, IDA and ANRC websites (see Websites box) will link you to most of the schools that offer riding programs. Most teams have their own Websites, which promote the benefits of joining their programs and provide varying details of what membership entails.